Thread: No more green dits. Say hello to our mentors

Also remember that not everyone is expert at everything. I've added Mike Blue as a mentor, even though his post count is not big, because he is an expert in his area. That does not automatically mean that he knows about aftershaves, soaps and brushes.

Btw I am participating in this discussion on and off atm. I am not monitoring this thread continuously. I am with my family and we are having a bbq. Well, my father is bbqing for the first time ever, on the bbq I gave him so I need to keep an eye on things if I don't want to eat charcoal.

Originally Posted by zib

This is point, It's not a question of likes or dislikes, it's a question of knowledge, How does a Belgium coticule stack up to a Japanese natural, stuff like that....

Originally Posted by Bruno

Also remember that not everyone is expert at everything. I've added Mike Blue as a mentor, even though his post count is not big, because he is an expert in his area. That does not automatically mean that he knows about aftershaves, soaps and brushes.

Bruno, I totally understand what your saying. Just, IMHO, labels are bad.
I feel someone's join date and post count should be a clear indicator as to their knoweledge, or simply what they say, and somtimes not. Some guys have a low post count, but have been members of other forums for some time, and you can tell that just by reading their posts. It's just that Mentor implies "teacher' and I don't know that willingness to help is enough in that respect.

Ding dong the rep is dead!!

I think the badges are a step in the right direction. I would be happier if there were no badges. I think separating people into different classes creates an atmosphere that breeds animosity and jealousy.

I think there should be three levels of participation.

1) users - the unwashed masses

2) moderators – to referee when needed, and maintain the site

3) site owner – the final word

I wrote a letter similar to Ron's when I accepted my badge, I said yes, but with some hesitation and reluctance.

I appreciate what and why this is being done I am not just not all the way comfortable with it.

Thank you moderators for moderating.

Charlie

Originally Posted by spazola

Ding dong the rep is dead!!

I think the badges are a step in the right direction. I would be happier if there were no badges. I think separating people into different classes creates an atmosphere that breeds animosity and jealousy.

I think there should be three levels of participation.

1) users - the unwashed masses

2) moderators – to referee when needed, and maintain the site

3) site owner – the final word

I wrote a letter similar to Ron's when I accepted my badge, I said yes, but with some hesitation and reluctance.

I appreciate what and why this is being done I am not just not all the way comfortable with it.

Thank you moderators for moderating.

Charlie

To be honest I agree with Charlie. I've had one member PM and he is thinking of leaving the forum because of the new badges.

I remember when I first came around and there were no badges, green things and the "thanks" had just been instituted. My main interest then and now was in honing and hones. It didn't take me but a week or two to figure out who to listen to.

If a person posts information that will point a new guy in the wrong direction it will be PDQ that someone else will call them on it and post the correct info.

All I'm getting at is that what Charlie said is the real deal," I would be happier if there were no badges. I think separating people into different classes creates an atmosphere that breeds animosity and jealousy. "

What is amazing to me is that this Mod team tries so hard and works so hard for the be good of this community and that one person who is obviously visible here and hasn't figured out it's not about him has caused this thread and conversation to escalate well beyond what is necessary. There has been so much information lately from every end of the world of personal preference that I have had PM after PM from new guys asking for some consistent direction. Unfortunately personal preference will always visible as will some one here for a month with hundreds of posts for what ever reasons. Unfortunately a new guy will never know the difference out of the gate. I applaud the attempt to recognize those members who so freely give of themselves to help others and share knowledge in here and look forward to seeing many more in the future.

Thanks,

Lynn

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

All I'm getting at is that what Charlie said is the real deal," I would be happier if there were no badges. I think separating people into different classes creates an atmosphere that breeds animosity and jealousy. "

As the person who initially came up with the idea of mentoring, I would like to draw your attention to two things:

1. The moderators (short singular form: "mod") are users (or employees) of the forum which are granted access to the posts and threads of all members for the purpose of moderating discussion (similar to arbitration) and also keeping the forum clean (neutralising spam and spambots etc). Because they have access to all posts and threads in their area of responsibility, it is common for a friend of the site owner to be promoted to moderator for such a task. Moderators also answer users' concerns about the forum, general questions, as well as responding to specific complaints.
2. Mentorship refers to a developmental relationship in which a more experienced person helps a less experienced person, referred to as a protégé, apprentice, mentoree, or (person) being mentored, develop in a specified capacity.

The mentor badge is supposed to alert a member to the mentor's willingness and ability to help him solve a particular problem in a more personal fashion than a forum post.

I brought up the idea because some of the mods and new mentors did "mentoring" in the Chat. And as SRP keeps growing quickly, I felt there was a need for more of that. So the mentoring idea was born.

So, thanks to Bruno for implementing it. I think it will benefit SRP, and its members, greatly. Especially the new joiners.

Doc but a lot of people do this and actually that is what makes internet forums fun. Those who are not mentors at the moment could be a bit disappointed that their efforts did not get credit.
I know that forums are no democracy, but generally people like changes better if they have a chance to talk about them up front.
After defending the rep system just last week this move came a bit suddenly.

Originally Posted by zib

Bruno, I totally understand what your saying. Just, IMHO, labels are bad.
I feel someone's join date and post count should be a clear indicator as to their knoweledge, or simply what they say, and somtimes not. Some guys have a low post count, but have been members of other forums for some time, and you can tell that just by reading their posts. It's just that Mentor implies "teacher' and I don't know that willingness to help is enough in that respect.

In my experience, post count and join date can mean absolutely nothing. Nothing at all. All it really represents is that you got here before me and you post a lot. It does not automatically reflect a level of knowledge, or how well your posts are generally received. Sure, every one uses it to measure people when they start out, but that's just because when you walk into a place you gotta use something, and if that is all that is available, that is all you will use. It is, however, a basically pointless exercise, you could look it up your self I imagine and I bet there will be some guys with a few thousand posts and very few thanks.

I have been using my thanks as a measure for my posts, and I'd like to think I can keep at least 10% of my posts thank worthy, and that is what I have been trying to do. I do this pretty basic calculation for people all the time, just to see.

Personally, I'm not sure about this mentor thing, just because people are chosen, and that removes (in my opinion) a degree the dynamic nature such a position in a group should hold. That is not to say I don't agree with the choices so far.

I quite liked the rep system, but it has just struck me that the thanks system is probably enough on it's own - it is a simple, clear system, and most importantly it is a direct reflection on what you have to say for your self.

One of the shortcomings of the thanks system and the rep system both, was that it did not discriminate between conversation and shaving related.
The mentor system does not have this shortcoming.

As for who gets to be Mentor: most people who remain active will get there sooner or later. I am relying on the mods in charge of the specific subforums to tell me.

One of the reason that Mentors can be useful is that this forum has gone beyond a point where most people know each other. Whole groups of members only visit certain subforums. I am willing to bet that many people here have never heard of Mike Blue, whereas the people who frequent the workshop (and especially the forge) will pay attention to his every word.

The mentor system helps newbies figure out more easily whom they can PM or whose posts to search for if they don't know where to look. Granted, the wiki does some of this already. The mentor system is just another step, but focusing on people instead of information (the wiki).

In the past, this was also part of the mods job description, but the forum has gotten too big to have only the mods do this.