Locking this one down...
Once again, this wasnt a request for approval or a request for philosophical discourse about the merits of an upcoming change. This was simply a request - for some ideas about how you'd like to see the various levels designated. It's abundantly clear at this point that isn't going to happen.
Whoever authored the poll, I'll leave you poll up until tomorrow at which point I'll certainly take a look at the totals. Will they change my mind? No. Incidentally, last i checked... nobody was voting on it but what few votes were there were 2:1 favoring people who simply didn't care...
If the changes to the forum aren't to your liking, I am sorry you feel that way. I do hope you give it a try rather than just assume horrible consequences, but yours is the gift of free will and if you so choose to bolt on evidence of change, then I wish you the best in your travels.
I have every expectation and confidence that the upcoming changes to the forum will have a positive impact on it's visibility, activity and ultimate longevity.
I have been admin here for many years and a member of this and other forums related to this industry for the better part of eight years now. I have probably spent more time thinking about forum dynamics in the past couple of years than most people do in a lifetime.
That said, trust me when I say, I am not changing the software powering this forum out of boredom or whim. If I didn't think it needed to be done, I wouldn't be doing it. It isn't exactly easy you know.
You're all WAAAY over reacting to a system you have no particulars about and (for whatever reason) assuming the worst case scenario in any implementation of anything new. Chill out, try it out and then make up your mind. Or don't -- completely up to you.
The switch to the new system will be done next weekend. New features and changes to existing features will then trickle in over the next week or so as we get settled in. There will be bugs and glitches and various things not workng as they're supposed to I expect - but with any luck these things will be minimal and short lived.
It's summertime (here). The sun is out, the kids are almost finished with school and it's time to have some fun. Screw a rollercoaster. We're moving a 60,000 member 300,000 post forum into a new database and scheme. It can't help but be a hoot. You'll hate yourself forever if you miss it.
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