Merit system and rank

[strongman8]

I believe the merit system requirement to gain 1 merit to become a jr member was a step in the right direction however, I don't believe it went far enough.  I would like to suggest a change in the amount of merit it takes to rank up for most of the levels.

Jr member = 5 merits
I believe 1 single merit is not enough to stop the spammer.  With people now selling merit this rule is to easy to skirt as it stands.  Requiring 5 merits will make it too costly to purchase merit and pushes the break even far far down the line putting anyone who attempts this in a position to take a loss.  The spammers need to have skin in the game if they want to play.  Imagine loosing a $200-300 dollar account.  Now the good guys finally start winning.  This is where the moderators and "volunteer sheriffs" can really hurt the pockets of the spammers instead of gaining moral victories.  

Member = 10 merits
I love 10 merits for Members.  10 merits is very obtainable within a reasonable time period and gives the casual poster a chance to grab a few more stakes for his good posting.  

Full Member = 50 merits
100 seems like way to much merit to gain full member status.  I think when someone achieves 50 merits they should be rewarded as a full member.  You just don't stumble on 50 merits for being a spam poster.  50 merits is a real contributor and I feel like they deserve a bigger slice of the pie at an earlier stage.  

Sr. Member = 100 merits
Same reasoning as above for the full member.  How many of the senior members pushed out a legit 100 merits for good amazing posting?  100 merits is a stout number and huge achievement.  At 100 merits if your not senior in position and knowledge then something is broke in the system.

Hero Member = 250 merits
I would cut this in half from 500 to 250 to make it more obtainable.  Once again if you get a natural 250 merits I feel that is enough.  That's a huge accomplishment that many on this forum cannot make.  

Legendary Member = 500 merits
This is for the freaks of nature.  500 merits is truly legendary.  I don't think we need to go up into the 700+ to get there.  500 seems like way more than enough for this class to take the biggest slice of the pie come bounty time.  

I find the new merit rules and the drama which has unfolded to be very interesting to watch and ponder.  I thought relaxing the rankings and upping the merit in the beginning stage would reward the real posters and contributors earlier while really putting the punch to the spammers.  

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[Ludji]

Your last posts:




You're not getting merit for this shitposting!  

[strongman8]

Here is one issue that the new users run into.

I tried an honest attempt to help the board and make a constructive post just as the community is requesting.  Then out of nowhere I get another member post a false report of my history.  He completely ignores a very relevant post (in my opinion) and only posts my bounty submissions.  Please take a look at how dishonest the above poster is on a newbie trying to follow the rules. 

I'm not sure where to go from here.  Is it legit to do bounties or does that make me a shit poster?  I honestly do not understand at this point. 

[Steamtyme]

You're not getting merit for this shitposting!  

I do not consider that shitposting. OP chooses to take part in bounties that from their full post history do not appear to encourage spamming the forum. Are all of the posts outside the bounties stellar, no, but they are not spammy and have a point. The user maintains a good post gap and IMO is not a spamming shitposter.

Here is one issue that the new users run into.

I tried an honest attempt to help the board and make a constructive post just as the community is requesting.  Then out of nowhere I get another member post a false report of my history.

I agree, and before I read the post I had reviewed your post history because of the OP. I would have merited the OP but IMO it should have just been a post in the merit and new rank thread. Not a cardinal sin or anything, and considering you seem to be a casual user it can be seen as an oversight.

I'm not sure where to go from here.  Is it legit to do bounties or does that make me a shit poster?  I honestly do not understand at this point.  

Honestly just do "you". While I would like to see Bounties managed completely differently, and not have signatures for anyone below a member rank, you don't seem to be part of the problem. Noiw if you start dropping a bunch of "nice projects" or "great vision" posts all over to boost your count, that would be considered shitposting.


As for the OP, I'm okay with where the merit requirements sit for ranking up to higher levels. Who cares how long it takes it's not a race. I agree with the 5 merit requirement for JR. Member.

[strongman8]

Thanks Steamtyme for having my back.  A senior member giving me a hand to prove I'm not a spamming shit poster is very helpful as my credibility as a noob is non existent.  I realize I'm no Hemingway or Twain but compared to some of the posts I thought i was holding my own. 

I also thank you for the merit.  I honestly believe in my original post and believe if enacted could cause a sudden burst of high quality posting from the mid level forum members as all of a sudden it's not so impossible to rank up.  I thought this could possibly be the catalyst to eliminate the spammers (5 merit for Jr Member) and encourage the mid ranks to start pumping quality posts that would help us all. 

Thanks again and to all the newbies who think the merit does not get handed out here is an example of a senior member who i have never communicated with helping me out.  You guys can do it.  believe and do not get dejected.