Page 2 - Karate Belt Suggestion

OK guys and gals.

The belt system is here to stay. Give it some time.

Also we are implementing a number of additional hacks we just need time to get to it all. Which will include graphical awards for most helpful posts, most active members, most helpful moderators, etc - the complete picture when we are done will be to show recognition for all members who are deserved.

But I ask that you be patient and let us implement our full game plan before rushing to any snap decisions.

I'm mixed on this. The belts look goofy, to be honest. It doesn't help the forum and might even detract from it. I've never done karate in my life. If I didn't see the tooltip info on the belts I'd assume that Green Belt > White Belt because I assume green is a reference to experience (ie "he's still green"). What's the progression? If I'm just some lurker am I really going to take the time to find out? It's not intuitive and I'm not a big fan of something that's not intuitive when it comes to basic message board display.

On the other hand post count is something that readers take into account. You could hide it but then Wit's opinion becomes no more valuable than Mr One-Post-Wonder offering his $0.02. So saying that 2500 posts doesn't make you better is true. I've seen people make thousands of stupid posts in the years I've read some message boards. But in the area of specific topics like these boards cover post count can mean the difference between good and bad advice. Win, lose or draw, someone with 2500 posts has been around the block a lot longer than someone with 1.

Anyways, there's my 80-something post $0.02

I actually find the whole debate about the karate belts somewhat amusing. There are tons of good threads and good posts to occupy our time here on the forum. In fact, there isn't enough time in my day to really read and absorb them all, much less comment on them all. So, there is certainly little time for me to worry about something as simple as a karate belt indicator. Ok, I've just wasted valuable time talking about not having time to worry about it. Shame on me. Now, I'm going to go back to my regularly-scheduled tasks and let the admins here worry about things like karate belts. C'mon guys, let's get to the good stuff and not worry about these little things. (Oh, and just to waste a bit more time - I think the karate belts are cute and unique). There...I'm done.

Have to agree with most others here and say that I don't like it. Personally I think the whole time online thing and Click4 is on a distinguished road thing is overkill, especially for your target auidience. I use a number of BBS's and my company have devloped several and we always apply the Keep It Simple philopsophy. We've played with hacks galore but the site just begins to look like a warez or underground type site.

I mention this as I think it's important to give the right impression to new visitors that this is a quality informative site.

However I hear what your saying Jcaputo and will reserve judgement until the mods are all complete!

JCaputo - can something be done with the position of the belt (and maybe the size)? It would help if it was moved to the right, next to the post count (where it sorta belongs of course). Is that hard to do?

That would probably mean that some of the other - less in-your-face - stuff would have to move from the right side to the left, but if you look at it, it seems quite logical...

I think it fits well with this specific forum. Colors and all. My 2 cents.

I personally beleive it is strange an unprofessional. For starters what has this site got to do with katate?

As SEOs we are all focused on a form of stealth martial arts. Don't you agree. ;)

Couldnt of said it better myself RB!

Table tennis is martial arts, with a table and a lightweight ball added

But that's not the point is it?

I understand the mods' position on this (...), but I'm sure there are ways to alleviate the side effects. Maybe allow newbies an avatar again, to get rid of the "talking to themselves" impression?

I personally feel that if the members dont like it, then do what the members say.

But let's give it some time, maybe the blackbelt will grow on you.

If anything the forums are too serious now....(glass hopper etc.. )

Long live fun in SEO...

Most have fun projects ( also know as test ) that we share from time to time but pls note FUN..

Thats MHO...

Amen Gabs!

i don't even think the belt cartoon looks good...

I very much agree with this suggestion. If the Admins truly think this is best long term, I'd have to disagree, but I'm willing to give it a shot. SEO Chat has far too much going for it for me to even CONSIDER leaving over a few guady additions.