Just my two cents worth...
Let me start by by referencing the link reposted by Cyberian. It states the words that are the alt-tags (appear on mouseover) of a member's ranking under their name. The following values, and my comments on them, follow:
is infamous around these parts (below -50) - I'm infamous in my job, as it creates me more enemies than I could ever create online. And, if the NP Rep System has any true value, then someone who screwed-over enough people to have a rating of 50 below 0, should have been removed along time ago.
can only hope to improve (-50) - So, a member that has 5k Rep Points can't hope to improve? Abraham Lincoln once said "
I have no use for a man who is not better today, than he was yesterday.". Until the day you die, you can only strive to improve.
has a little shameless behaviour in the past (-10) - I have come to know many decent people here in NamePros, as well as a few I consider very decent and respectable. I have yet to meet a saint.
is an unknown quantity at this point (0) -
This is probably the only one that has true meaning, as it is automatic until you show yourself to the membership.
is on a distinguished road (10) - Life itself is such a road. But it is rather we take shortcuts down it that matter; and often, even in NamePros, only you know rather or not you "cheated" to get down the road aways faster.
will become famous soon enough (50) - In the domainer market, NamePros has a few members that are somewhat famous, and even a few who are famous world-wide in the market even outside NamePros. I, for one, do not need to become famous, as fame can lead to an ego that is dangerous. Just because a man is famous, doesn't mean he has the ego to go with it; but, taking fame versus self-acknowledgment, I'm more happy if I can look proudly at myself, versus what others look at me for.
has a spectacular aura about (150) - Every man should have an aura about him when he walks in the room, that says he is both happy to be here (if not, leave), and that he knows where he stands in the world around him (some call that "ego", but rather I am referring to "self-image" and knowing how he stands-up for what he knows to be right).
is a jewel in the rough (250) -
This is my current status here. Guess what? I don't care! I was born a jewel in the rough (created that way by my God), and I will not be fully polished until the day I die. The sheen on the stone can always use a spit-polish, as we are humans constantly growing.
is just really nice (350) - Shouldn't we all be?
is a glorious beacon of light (450) - Again, one of those things we all should strive to be in the first place. A beacon of light to the new amongst us, and a beacon of what is right in the way we personally (and as a group) represent ourselves to the world.
is a name known to all (550) - God? Bad? Mother Teresa was known to most of the world. But, so was Adolph Hitler.
is a splendid one to behold (650) - "Splendid" has two definitions, and can be dangerous in the distinction. One is that of being admired by many or being praiseworthy. The other, and more common of the two: Imposing by reason of showiness or grandeur.
has much to be proud of (1000) - A man who is not proud of himself, needs to look to either what he is doing wrong, or into what is wrong with his self-esteem. For a man to look at why others "should" be proud to know him, or are proud to have him as a member, is, in my view, being self-righteous or pious.
has a brilliant future (1500) - We all should strive to make our futures bright. It is true that your future is what you make it, as cliche' as that may sound. We don't need others telling us that it is, or isn't bright. We determine our future, not others via some message-boards.
has a reputation beyond repute (2000) - We should all live so that there is no question about this to begin with. And, if your reputation is truly beyond repute, it will be known among all regular (and shortly learned by new members), without you saying a word, or without a "system of points" telling folks. Words said by members about you spread faster, and are more noted, than any "marking system". True integrity will be known by those watching, long before you ever reply to the thread or appear in the chatroom as having logged-in.
As the US novelist Margaret Mitchell (1900 - 1949) said, "
Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was.". I could care less about what my "rep points" are on the boards. What I care more about, and is a true measure of my reputation, is rather or not members would read a reply faster just because an honest reputation proceeds me, and they see my name on the posting.
Confucius stated "
Respect yourself and others will respect you.". He was very right. Live so that you can look at yourself honestly, and be proud, and others will see you that way too. And that brings me to a maxim by the minister William J.H. Boetcker (1873-1962): "
That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong.". The current Rep system here at NamePros has become more of a "do it to please others" system, hence the reason Name-Maker originally started this thread.
Personally, I won't recommend an over-haul of how the "rules" are written. After all, folks would break them anyway; seeing as they already abuse the intent of the system. What I would recommend, however, is simple. Members should take what they see posted under the names (those -at this point almost useless- green bars) with a heavy dose of salt. Don't take that just because a member has a high "rep rating" that they are truly that great - I have been disappointed by many of the highest "rep'd" in here. And, do not assume that just because someone does not have high Rep, that they are not someone you should hold-up as a person of quality. Some of the most respected members in the domainer-community have few "rep points" here, as they seldom comment/post (The best say little, only say what is important, then sit down and shut up.). I'm even known to use the system to "give rep" to members. But, I don't do it in exchange for favors or any business deal we may have. I do it when what they post teaches me and others something new, or they cause me to pause and reflect on something in a way that I had not previously considered the issue.
The Reputation System was a good idea, but like most good ideas, became twisted by a few. This doesn't mean it should be scrapped, but only that members should take it for what it is - a nice bunch of colored .gif's under your name, and little more. OK, truth be told, it is a little more than that...It represents how many folks liked what you said; not that being liked by the majority is a true measure that a man is right or good-intentioned in the first place. True reputation follows you, and a good poster will have folks read a post or two of his, only to then have them actively seek out everything he/she writes since they know it is more-than-likely well written or said.
Name-Maker said:
I personally don't care if I'm a "Glorious beacon of light".
I agree 100%. As long as you know, in your own heart, that you try to show the light to others in the way you live, you shouldn't care one bit what some chart shows "about you".
~ Cyberian ~ said:
....if you want NP$ or rep for being a good member, then be a good member and it will come.
Well said. Asking for it devalues the use of it.
If you really want to give rep, and especially considering the fact that new members generally look to it (until they get to know folks personally), rep accounts like the one for
Christine. Let those type of accounts get so many reputation points, that RJ has to create code to add an additional line of green squares to them. Show what earning true reputation and character is all about: Showing that it is more important to helping others than one's self.
Just things IMHO.
