Author Topic: Thoughts on Board Ranks  (Read 8810 times)

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Offline WeatherHost

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Thoughts on Board Ranks
« on: December 06, 2011, 06:51:23 AM »
As more and more people come aboard, newer members may get the wrong impression of the rank of 'Forecaster'.  Shouldn't that be reserved for actual forecasters with appropriate training and not just anybody with a certain post count?  I know we have several Mets here.






Offline kray1000

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2011, 10:31:47 AM »
We could replace that designation with "amateur weather educated-guesser", but I don't think it will fit.

Offline neondesert

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2011, 11:22:08 AM »
Since a professionally trained "Meteorologist" is able to indicate this in their profile and/or next to their avatar, IMO it's a non-issue.

Besides, anyone can be a "Forecaster".

"Tomorrow will be sunny and dry here in Las Vegas"  There, I just made a forecast. 
And a darn good one I might add!  ;)
Larry
"But it's a DRY Heat!"


Offline Farmtalk

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2011, 07:34:34 PM »
I always thought the ranks should be more spread out...The top rank is 300 posts
Joe Fitzwater
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Offline neondesert

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2011, 07:49:15 PM »
I always thought the ranks should be more spread out...The top rank is 300 posts

Personally, I don't see the need for them.  They really don't serve any purpose.
Larry
"But it's a DRY Heat!"


Offline Farmtalk

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2011, 08:10:53 PM »
Personally, I think the ranks should be better based on the amount of time on the forum...posts arent everything ;)
Joe Fitzwater
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Offline Sigdigit

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2011, 09:12:54 PM »
I worked long and hard for my Forecaster moniker!  Don't strip me of my meaningless title, lol.  I thought the ranks were pretty cool when I first joined the forum.  And I was inclined to put maybe a bit more stock in the opinions of those who are so dedicated to this pursuit as to be active in our little community.  I'm sure the mets are not offended.  But if you must change it, make it "Doctor", lol.  Always wanted to be a doctor.

Offline Scalphunter

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2011, 09:55:37 PM »
Quote
I always thought the ranks should be more spread out...The top rank is 300 posts

 And neither does logging on. An no load is an no load. At least an posters is giving info or helping out some one.

Offline SlowModem

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2011, 10:35:15 PM »
Besides, anyone can be a "Forecaster".

"Tomorrow will be sunny and dry here in Las Vegas"  There, I just made a forecast. 
And a darn good one I might add!  ;)

 =D> =D> =D> =D>
Greg Whitehead
Ten Mile, TN USA

Offline SlowModem

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2011, 10:43:44 PM »
Although listed as a Forecaster, in actuality, I am a peripheral visionary.  I can see the future, but only off to the sides.   :roll:

(My hindsight is pretty good, too!)
Greg Whitehead
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Offline xykotik

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2011, 11:58:54 PM »
As more and more people come aboard, newer members may get the wrong impression of the rank of 'Forecaster'.  Shouldn't that be reserved for actual forecasters with appropriate training and not just anybody with a certain post count?  I know we have several Mets here.

Awww.  And I was gonna use the badge on my website.  :-(



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Offline WeatherBeacon

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #11 on: December 07, 2011, 12:25:20 AM »

Hey, folks.

Haven't been on in a while, but when I checked the forum just now this thread stood out.

Forums often use member ranking systems that pertain to the forum's focus. I think most members and visitors understand that the ranking categories are just for fun.

It's interesting that this question comes up now, because in the American Meteorological Society's Group on LinkedIn, a similar discussion is underway (the question there is: "Can we finally define who a `meteorologist` is?"), but there is a difference between that and this. The issue there is whether people in general (not just members of LinkedIn's AMS group) should hold certain credentials in order to call themselves professional "meteorologists" and whether the term "meteorologist" should be regulated somehow (like attorney, medical doctor, CPA, actuary, professional engineer (PE), etc,). The difference between that question and this one is that the term "meteorologist" is being used in professional settings by numerous people with very broad ranges of credentials, training, and levels of expertise. In contrast, since this is a forum for weather enthusiasts, the rankings are not intended, and I believe are not generally interpreted, to indicate legitimate titles but are used in jest.
Mae govannen!
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Offline neondesert

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2011, 12:48:01 AM »

Hey, folks.

Haven't been on in a while, but when I checked the forum just now this thread stood out.

Forums often use member ranking systems that pertain to the forum's focus. I think most members and visitors understand that the ranking categories are just for fun.

It's interesting that this question comes up now, because in the American Meteorological Society's Group on LinkedIn, a similar discussion is underway (the question there is: "Can we finally define who a `meteorologist` is?"), but there is a difference between that and this. The issue there is whether people in general (not just members of LinkedIn's AMS group) should hold certain credentials in order to call themselves professional "meteorologists" and whether the term "meteorologist" should be regulated somehow (like attorney, medical doctor, CPA, actuary, professional engineer (PE), etc,). The difference between that question and this one is that the term "meteorologist" is being used in professional settings by numerous people with very broad ranges of credentials, training, and levels of expertise. In contrast, since this is a forum for weather enthusiasts, the rankings are not intended, and I believe are not generally interpreted, to indicate legitimate titles but are used in jest.

Well said, Kevin!  +1
Larry
"But it's a DRY Heat!"


Offline SlowModem

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #13 on: December 07, 2011, 01:34:48 AM »
I have found that if I only read the recent posts (which is what I do), the rankings and such never show.
Greg Whitehead
Ten Mile, TN USA

Offline SlowModem

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #14 on: December 07, 2011, 02:59:42 AM »
I guess we need to give the crown to Andrew!  Long live the king!   =D>
Greg Whitehead
Ten Mile, TN USA

Offline mackbig

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #15 on: December 07, 2011, 08:35:10 AM »
Greg,
How about the "king" gets the moniker "king bloviator".
I will stop posting in the regular forum, and post all my comments in chit-chat (which is not counted) until you catch up.

Andrew

I guess we need to give the crown to Andrew!  Long live the king!   =D>

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Offline Farmtalk

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #16 on: December 07, 2011, 08:47:05 AM »
Lol Andrew, you are the king! But every king gets dethroned :twisted:
Joe Fitzwater
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Offline Sigdigit

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #17 on: December 07, 2011, 09:06:29 AM »
Hey, whatever happened to our young friend Josh?  I swear he used to post threads just to reach forecaster status! :lol:

Offline Farmtalk

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #18 on: December 07, 2011, 09:07:28 AM »
Yeah he got off here right around when I joined :-k
Joe Fitzwater
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Offline SlowModem

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #19 on: December 07, 2011, 09:23:52 AM »
Greg,
How about the "king" gets the moniker "king bloviator".
I will stop posting in the regular forum, and post all my comments in chit-chat (which is not counted) until you catch up.

Andrew

 :-#
Greg Whitehead
Ten Mile, TN USA

Offline Garth Bock

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #20 on: December 07, 2011, 09:55:34 AM »
...uh, isn't the word 'contributor' just a contraction of 'contrite-bitcher'?

So who gets the Expert rank ?

('Ex' from the latin - former, no longer, has been)
('pert' pronounced 'spurt' from the plumber - fast leak, drip under pressure)
(Expert...ie.....'Has Been Drip Under Pressure')


Offline Farmtalk

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #21 on: December 07, 2011, 02:00:29 PM »
I havent peed myself while i was presenting reports :lol: :lol:
Joe Fitzwater
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Offline SLOweather

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #22 on: December 07, 2011, 02:13:33 PM »
Hey, whatever happened to our young friend Josh?  I swear he used to post threads just to reach forecaster status! :lol:

He hasn't been here since June 17, 2011, 08:37:37 AM PDT

Offline Farmtalk

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #23 on: December 07, 2011, 02:16:11 PM »
I thought he said that he was making a return as well :-(
Joe Fitzwater
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Offline mackbig

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Re: Thoughts on Board Ranks
« Reply #24 on: December 07, 2011, 02:22:18 PM »
If you dont take another sabbatical, at your post rate, you will be crowned by Groundhog day.

Andrew

Lol Andrew, you are the king! But every king gets dethroned :twisted:

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