It seems that one of the center points of this site is the WATW thread. It has been the focus of new members since its creation. I would like to offer up an alternative view. I will call it, "What Are Members Worth?" So many people have gotten fixated on the hierarchy of the trackers that they may have overlooked one major component of the community- the member.
Some people may laugh at this, others may take it to heart. That is entirely up to the individual. Some people need instant gratification while others make self-improvement a life-long goal.
Please think of this as a work in progress. I have based it loosely on Maslow's "Hierarchy of Needs" as I saw fit through my own personal growth and experiences. I hope that this becomes a starting point upon which we can give both new and old members a model to evaluate what they (the individual) brings to a tracker.
If you see areas that should be changed, or if you believe there are different criteria that should be thought of, please feel free to make suggestions. This document is meant to be malleable.
Level 1- The NOOB.
We all start out here in one form or another. Chances are, we don't know anyone, we don't know the rules, and we are eager to see how many invites we can receive. We will beg, borrow, trade, or steal to get them.
Level 2-Someone who has read the rules of the site. Yeah, until you sit down and read the rules, you are eternally a NOOB. Go read them!
Level 3- Someone who UNDERSTANDS the rules of the site. You are probably thinking, "Hey, that's the same as Level 2!" If so, go back and read the rules again. You know, just in case you missed something. We'll wait...no really, go...
Level 4- Someone who ASKS questions. If you do not know something, ASK. It is as simple as that. The alternative is to do something that could get you in trouble, could be acceptable- yet frowned upon. For example TRADING. Ask around. Some people do it, but a lot of people around here have a great disdain for people who do it. Once you have broken the rules of conduct- different than the site rules, you may find yourself socially isolated from many of the people who could help you.
Bottom line- Read some of the posts, get to know what is acceptable, and ASK if you are unsure.
Level 5-Someone who can ANSWER questions. Also, someone who is trustworthy. This is a stage where someone has been around this community for a while. They know the rules. They know what is acceptable. And they know how to act in a way that has earned TRUST from other members. This one is important. At this stage, the member is finally providing important functions for the site. People turn to them for answers and they know him/her well enough to expect that they will act appropriately. Members get a lot of invites at this level. And why shouldn't they? They have earned that kind of trust and respect!
Level 6-People who know "stuff". These are the people you can have fun and engaging conversations with. They are your buddies. They are active in forums that do not have anything to do with invites. These guys could really care less. Chances are, they have tried most of the sites and have focused on a few that "suits them". They discuss sports, games, pron, beer, women (respectfully, of course)
and anything else. These people get stand out because they have done and know "stuff".
Level 7-People who are either well educated or well-rounded. Real-life experiences! Sometimes people get tired of talking about sports, games,etc. Eventually, people want to have "serious" discussions. For this, you can either educate yourself (read tons and tons of books, wikipedia does not count) :noes: or go to school. At this level, bullshitters get spotted and chewed up. Know your stuff and you will be very welcome in these circles. Get in over you head, and you will now it REAL QUICK! This is as close to an academic "street fight" as you will ever come. Come prepared!
Level 8-People who strengthen the community. There are some people who can do everything below this and still have time and energy to make sure the community is a thriving entity. These people have earned a lot of respect and they deserve it. They might be moderators, they might just be setting good examples for other members to follow. They create thought-provoking discussions and bring people together.
Level 9-People with special skills used for community good. These are the coders, the graphic designers, the security experts- people who make the sites and communities possible for the rest of us. Most of these people have donated their time and skills. They are most likely professionals who believe in the community. They are rare gems and we most likely don't even know who they are.
Level 10a-The site owners. Someone came up with the idea for the site and made it grow. They did not do this alone, but it would not have happened without them. They are the "Ring Master".
Level 10b- Hot chicks who do exclusive webcam shows for the site members. This is the only "free pass" straight to the top. Just like IRL, if you are a hot chick who is willing to get naked, you probably don't need to offer anything else to the site. Anyone who says a negative word about you will be banned before they finish pressing [ENTER]. Generally, you are loved by everyone anyway.:yup:
Now it is up to you, FST. What needs to be changed, added, or removed. Or we can scrap this whole thing...:fst:
Some people may laugh at this, others may take it to heart. That is entirely up to the individual. Some people need instant gratification while others make self-improvement a life-long goal.
Please think of this as a work in progress. I have based it loosely on Maslow's "Hierarchy of Needs" as I saw fit through my own personal growth and experiences. I hope that this becomes a starting point upon which we can give both new and old members a model to evaluate what they (the individual) brings to a tracker.
If you see areas that should be changed, or if you believe there are different criteria that should be thought of, please feel free to make suggestions. This document is meant to be malleable.
Level 1- The NOOB.
We all start out here in one form or another. Chances are, we don't know anyone, we don't know the rules, and we are eager to see how many invites we can receive. We will beg, borrow, trade, or steal to get them.
Level 2-Someone who has read the rules of the site. Yeah, until you sit down and read the rules, you are eternally a NOOB. Go read them!
Level 3- Someone who UNDERSTANDS the rules of the site. You are probably thinking, "Hey, that's the same as Level 2!" If so, go back and read the rules again. You know, just in case you missed something. We'll wait...no really, go...
Level 4- Someone who ASKS questions. If you do not know something, ASK. It is as simple as that. The alternative is to do something that could get you in trouble, could be acceptable- yet frowned upon. For example TRADING. Ask around. Some people do it, but a lot of people around here have a great disdain for people who do it. Once you have broken the rules of conduct- different than the site rules, you may find yourself socially isolated from many of the people who could help you.
Bottom line- Read some of the posts, get to know what is acceptable, and ASK if you are unsure.
Level 5-Someone who can ANSWER questions. Also, someone who is trustworthy. This is a stage where someone has been around this community for a while. They know the rules. They know what is acceptable. And they know how to act in a way that has earned TRUST from other members. This one is important. At this stage, the member is finally providing important functions for the site. People turn to them for answers and they know him/her well enough to expect that they will act appropriately. Members get a lot of invites at this level. And why shouldn't they? They have earned that kind of trust and respect!
Level 6-People who know "stuff". These are the people you can have fun and engaging conversations with. They are your buddies. They are active in forums that do not have anything to do with invites. These guys could really care less. Chances are, they have tried most of the sites and have focused on a few that "suits them". They discuss sports, games, pron, beer, women (respectfully, of course)
and anything else. These people get stand out because they have done and know "stuff".Level 7-People who are either well educated or well-rounded. Real-life experiences! Sometimes people get tired of talking about sports, games,etc. Eventually, people want to have "serious" discussions. For this, you can either educate yourself (read tons and tons of books, wikipedia does not count) :noes: or go to school. At this level, bullshitters get spotted and chewed up. Know your stuff and you will be very welcome in these circles. Get in over you head, and you will now it REAL QUICK! This is as close to an academic "street fight" as you will ever come. Come prepared!
Level 8-People who strengthen the community. There are some people who can do everything below this and still have time and energy to make sure the community is a thriving entity. These people have earned a lot of respect and they deserve it. They might be moderators, they might just be setting good examples for other members to follow. They create thought-provoking discussions and bring people together.
Level 9-People with special skills used for community good. These are the coders, the graphic designers, the security experts- people who make the sites and communities possible for the rest of us. Most of these people have donated their time and skills. They are most likely professionals who believe in the community. They are rare gems and we most likely don't even know who they are.
Level 10a-The site owners. Someone came up with the idea for the site and made it grow. They did not do this alone, but it would not have happened without them. They are the "Ring Master".
Level 10b- Hot chicks who do exclusive webcam shows for the site members. This is the only "free pass" straight to the top. Just like IRL, if you are a hot chick who is willing to get naked, you probably don't need to offer anything else to the site. Anyone who says a negative word about you will be banned before they finish pressing [ENTER]. Generally, you are loved by everyone anyway.:yup:
Now it is up to you, FST. What needs to be changed, added, or removed. Or we can scrap this whole thing...:fst:
