New CBB

From the Admin

► The maximum allowed file size of avatars has been increased to 20kb. (Up from 10kb)
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From the Admin: Introduction to the Rank Overhaul

As I mentioned previously, there will be a major overhaul of the rank system on the board. This is still a work in progress, and I can't say when it will be made, however, I've decided to share the plans behind the new system with you:

► The current rank system will be completely removed.

► The new system will introduce 4 types of ranks:

-----• Default ranks: These are the ranks based on postcount. They will be plain and most of you will probably find them boring.

-----• Standard ranks: These ranks will be the elemental ones you are used to, but they are now no longer based on postcount. Instead you will be able to 'earn' them by contributing to the forum in various ways.

-----• Special ranks: These ranks will be more 'flashier' elemental ones. They will be earned through more 'intensive' forum contribution.

-----• Unique ranks: These are ranks unavailable to the normal member. They are used by the admin, the moderators, MVPs and other specific user groups.

► Users will be able to 'earn' multiple ranks, and then change between them to use the rank he or she prefers. People with unique ranks will not be able to do this, however.

Q: What exactly does it mean to "contribute to the forum" ?

This is currently under development, but the thought is that users will be able to earn ranks through contribution in the form of making certain types of posts, e.g. making a well-made translation challenge thread might earn you a standard rank.

Q: How can I have several ranks at the same time?

The new rank system will be handled manually by me, meaning that you won't get new ranks automatically. Ranks will be assigned to people fulfilling their criteria, as objectively as possible, but as no one is perfect, we will see how this works out. There will possibly be moderator involvement in this process as well.

Q: Does this have anything to do with the request for "newbhelpers" ?

Yes!

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I would like to remind you all that this is still in the development stage and currently under construction. So if you have any thoughts on the matter, constructive feedback is always welcome.

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From the Admin

► The following flag icons have been added:



Special thanks to xinda, anacharis and Hakaku for their help!
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From the Admin

► I'm not sure why, but now there is a smiley.
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From the Admin

► The description text for the forum has been changed.

► The old ranks have been removed. They will return soonish in their revamped form.

► The Default Ranks of the new system have been implemented.
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From the Admin

► The smiley for Västergötland, , has been added. creds to rickardspaghetti
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From the Admin

► The following icons have been added: (Bavaria), (Maryland), (Scania), (Uppland), creds to Ceresz, Ossicone and me!
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From the Admin

► The new Beginners' Corner forum has now been opened!
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From the Admin

► The flag icons have been added! Thanks to xinda and anacharis!
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From the Admin: Q&A - The New Rank System

Q: How do I earn a rank?

Simple answer: By fulfilling the associated requirements!

Techinical answer: Read on!

Q: Do the ranks appear automatically?

No. The new rank system will work through usergroups. This means that for each rank there is a group. When you are eligible for a rank, you will be placed in the appropriate usergroup, at which point you will be able to sport its rank.

This system is not ideal, but it's the easiest way to make this system function with the board features available. This means however, that every upgrade in rank will have to be handled by me or a moderator personally.

Q: So there is a risk of corruption?

Yep. Because of the nature of the system, every case will be judged by me or a mod subjectively, of course with some guidelines. Our job is to keep the system fair and fun, not to make you suffer for no reason.

Q: How many ranks will there be?

The Standard ranks will be released a couple at a time, starting with the ones more easily judgeable, to make the introduction of the system easier on the administration. As of now, there are 12 planned standard ranks, and 8 special ones. There is no set time for when they will all be available.

Q: So will I get my rank assigned or should I ask for it?

You should begin with waiting. This system is run manually, and the ones running it are all human (at least we think so). In the ideal case you'll be thrown into the new rank's usergroup reasonably soon after you've earned it. This however depends on us noticing that you have earned it, which many times might not be the case.

Thus, when you think you have earned a new rank, start by waiting a couple of days and hope you will get it assigned to you. If nothing happens, it means that either you didn't merit the rank, or that it has gone unnoticed. In this case you should feel free to send a PM to me or any of the mods about it, including links to your posts to back up the claim. To this PM you should receive a reply, telling you either yes or no. If nothing happens you may send another PM after around a week.

Q: You said something about being able to have multiple ranks?

Oh yes! As I mentioned above, each rank corresponds to a usergroup. If you have earned several ranks, this means you will be in multiple usergroups. To change the rank you're showing, simple go to your personal setting and change your 'default usergroup' to the one you with to show. You can also choose to remain with your Default Rank if you so wish.

Q: Will my rank be removed if I stop being active?

No. Once earned, your rank remains with you. This goes even for ranks requiring frequent posting. The only way to lose your rank is if we find out you earned it dishonestly.

Q: What if I think a rank requirement is unfair?

Tell us about it. This board is a community, and feedback always helps us to improve the board. None of the ranks are written in stone, so it's entirely possible that the requirements will be revised in the future (for better or for worse!). This will not affect those who have already earned the ranks, however.

Also, if you think this new system is awesome, please tell us about that too!

Q: Will the new ranks work retroactively?

The rule of thumb will be that if it's something larger, then yes, and if it's something minor, like a TC, then no. I reserve the right to make judgement calls here.

Q: I totally earned a rank but you refused to give it to me!

If the administration does not consider you having earned a rank, then there is nothing you can do about it, except try to make improvements, or alternatively, try to convince us in a polite and calm manner why we ought to reconsider.

Q: Stupid admin, my question isn't even listed here!

Then ask it. If it's a good one I'll simply add it here.
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From the Admin: Introducing the Standard Ranks

► Standard Ranks have now been added.

► The following Standard Ranks have been introduced:

----• LIGHT
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----Requirements:
-------- ○ Being able to speak 2 languages of the main forums in the Other languages section with a high degree of fluency.

----• EARTH
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----Requirements:
-------- ○ Create 3 translation challenges in Translations, each containing at least one linguistic feature that is not straightforwardly translatable.
-------- ○ Reply to 7 translation challenges. Your posts have to include IPA or X-Sampa transcriptions and proper glossing.

----• METAL
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----Requirements:
-------- ○ Make a significant contribution to the board in the form of something that is subsequently used by the forum, e.g. flag icons, code, ideas that are turned into something concrete on the forum.

----• AIR
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----Requirements:
-------- ○ Post regularly in the Non-English section of the board in the appropriate language.


► New Unique Ranks have been added for administrators, moderators, MVPs and honored members.
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From the Admin

► The Forum Rules thread has been updated.
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From the Admin

► The flag icons (Turkmenistan), (Namibia), (Scania), (Dalecarlia) have been added.
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From the Admin: More Standard Ranks

► The following new Standard Ranks have been introduced:

----• WATER
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----Requirements:
-------- ○ Make introductory guides for beginners to various con-areas. The amount of guides necessary to earn this rank will depend on the quality of the guide(s).

----• WOOD
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----Requirements:
-------- ○ Make a set of lessons of good quality for a natural language in Teach & Share.

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From the Admin

► Ossicone has been appointed moderator.
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From the Admin

► The flag icons (Nunavut/Inuktitut), (Dagestan), (Burushaski), (Iroquois) and (Vepsian) have been added.
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From the Admin

► The flag icon (Lezgian) has been added. Sorry about the wait!
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From the Admin

► The old smileys have been removed! Instead there is now a larger number of new ones! They are all listed to your left when writing a post.
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From the Admin: More Standard Ranks

► The following new Standard Ranks have been introduced:

----• DARKNESS
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----Requirements:
-------- ○ Post an in-depth description of a conlang, covering at least phonology, morphology and syntax.

----• BODY
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----Requirements:
-------- ○ Post an in-depth description of a conculture/conphilosophy/conplanet/conscript/conhistory/etc, or at least a significant aspect thereof.

----• FIRE
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----Requirements:
-------- ○ Give serious and profound constructive criticism on a description of a con[anything].

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From the Admin

► The light rank now requires a high degree of fluency in 2 of the following languages:
-------- ○ Catalan/Valencian
-------- ○ Dutch
-------- ○ Finnish
-------- ○ French
-------- ○ German
-------- ○ Icelandic
-------- ○ Italian
-------- ○ Japanese
-------- ○ Polish
-------- ○ Portuguese
-------- ○ Russian
-------- ○ Spanish
-------- ○ Swedish/Danish/Norwegian

(change from: Being able to speak 2 languages of the main forums in the Other languages section with a high degree of fluency.)

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From the Admin

► The smileys have been added.
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