Announcement New Trophy Point Levels

[Cyprus]

I've found it extremely helpful to read carefully the description of why the particular badges are awarded, it's very revealing about not only the award system, but also the type of advice you are likely to receive.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/byc-recognition-medals.1214207/
Once you've combined the information from the above and then taken the time to digest the sites mission statement and it's underlying ethos, you may find that actually reading the advice given in the post and ignoring the badge and merit system may serve you and your chicken better. It does mean one has to think about what one reads though.
Some of the best advice I've read on BYC has come from people with no badges and a minimal post count. Unfortunately the system in place tends to discourage some of these people from further participation and the site loses their expertise.
As the site grows, assuming it will, the established personalities will tighten their grip making it more and more difficult for new ideas and knowledgeable new members from getting their views heard. This it seems is the nature of such systems.
The end result is often a two or three tier system where the 'experts' have no further incentive to learn and become primarily interested in maintaining their power base through points and badges, the regular contributors fading from the general forum due to advice fatigue (answering the same questions over and over) and the newcomers tending to post for a quick bit of advice and leave.
It's a difficult problem to address and I've seen a number of sites that were extremely successful crash and burn mainly because of what I've outlined above.

On few things do we agree. This is one of them.

I made this same point earlier this year, granted in not as nice of writing, and that was not taken even remotely well. I feel that this forum is going to see it's end by way of those 2 or 3 established personalities.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I feel that this forum is going to see it's end by way of those 2 or 3 established personalities.

I *must* be clueless, but I don't see it. Or I'm so new that I don't see it... I cant even imagine to whom you're referring...

 

[Shadrach]

On few things do we agree. This is one of them.

I don't think so. I was rather hoping to make a general point regarding the system and not bring personal issues into it.
Those who have the badges and likes have earned them fairly within the rules and the structure of the system. You can't really blame individuals for a systemic problem, not even those who set the system up.
I used to be a moderator and admin on a popular gaming Internet site. We found that over time the admins were prone to become a bit authoritarian. Many of the admins played on the game servers and some when they got repeatedly fragged tending to assume the new player was hacking. Often this wasn't the case.
We, or rather those who could code, ended up limiting admin powers on the servers on a game to game basis, requiring a different admin each turn. This improved the impartiality.
I can't see anyone on BYC who is likely to damage the site irreparably because of liking points and badges, or for any other reason come to that.
The system itself promotes certain types of behaviour. It doesn't make the system unworkable, or obviously in the case of BYC unsuccessful. But, no system is perfect and the Staff here are aware of this. It's why this thread came to be; it's about making changes in the hope that the system works better.

 

[Golden Chicken Master]

Cool! This is exactly what I was looking for!

 

[NHMountainMan]

After going through you all's great suggestions HERE, voting and making a few small changes, we finally rolled out the new trophy point levels and brand new titles! Thank you everyone that helped up with the project, not least your wonderful suggestions.

Here is our old levels (and points) ladder:

View attachment 1423008

And the new level and points ladder:

View attachment 1423009

Who's going to be the first to get the Platinum Egg?

Would it be possible to pin this to the top of the page? Perhaps the point awards too?

 

[Kiki]

Would it be possible to pin this to the top of the page? Perhaps the point awards too?

See the 392 number just below your avatar?
You can click on that number and it will take you to all of your trophy points and once you get to that screen if you scroll down to the bottom there is another link that takes you to the main page.

 

[NHMountainMan]

See the 392 number just below your avatar?
You can click on that number and it will take you to all of your trophy points and once you get to that screen if you scroll down to the bottom there is another link that takes you to the main page.
View attachment 1984442

I see that it can take me to the list of trophy points available, but I do not see anything that takes you to the levels. When someone posts and I see that they're "free ranging" or a "songster" - I sometimes equate the levels with the wisdom they offer. But I haven't faint a way to quickly look at their order of the levels awarded. Hope that makes sense ---

 

[aart]

I see that it can take me to the list of trophy points available, but I do not see anything that takes you to the levels. When someone posts and I see that they're "free ranging" or a "songster" - I sometimes equate the levels with the wisdom they offer. But I haven't faint a way to quickly look at their order of the levels awarded. Hope that makes sense --

I believe both the "labels" and the trophy points are based on number of posts,
not a good way to assess someones knowledge, IMO.
I click the 'posts number'(689 on kiki's screen shot) and read thru a few, or more, for a better feel about the persons experience, knowledge, and advice.
This^^^ has been discussed earlier in this thread.

 

[NHMountainMan]

I believe both the "labels" and the trophy points are based on number of posts,
not a good way to assess someones knowledge, IMO.
I click the 'posts number'(689 on kiki's screen shot) and read thru a few, or more, for a better feel about the persons experience, knowledge, and advice.
This^^^ has been discussed earlier in this thread.

understood - its based on how active someone is on BYC. But I'd say I see a correlation between level on BYC and level of experience (not necessarily wisdom) that one has with poultry. I tend to pay most attention to those that have offered me advice tat I've followed, and seen a benefit from following said advice. Being experienced (old???) makes most people wiser, if they're willing to learn from their mistakes.

 

[casportpony]

I see that it can take me to the list of trophy points available, but I do not see anything that takes you to the levels. When someone posts and I see that they're "free ranging" or a "songster" - I sometimes equate the levels with the wisdom they offer. But I haven't faint a way to quickly look at their order of the levels awarded. Hope that makes sense ---

As a PFM member, you could bookmark the first post of this thread.