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Obviously there were problems with the old system (hence the current one), and now we see that there are issues with the current system as well. Requiring hundreds of writeups to attain levels high enough to get your homenode picture seems unattainable for many noders, and even with the maximum possible merit bonus which would require you to only submit half the number of required writeups - well, half of hundreds is typically still hundreds. No matter how much you love E2, and no matter how much time you spend here, most people simply don't have enough time to sit and write quite that much. Yet we see incredible writers here that are sitting at level 3 and 4 that many believe should be rewarded a little more.
It should be noted that I don't have any specific problem with kthejoker's idea (although in its current state, it would requirement me to submit almost twice the number of writeups to reach the next level than I need right now). This was simply an idea I came up with for a leveling system for a site I was thinking about a while back.
XP
It is my opinion that in the current leveling system, XP is basically useless. Obviously it has uses for bragging rights, the joys of XP whoring, the notificiations you receive let you know when you have received votes, you can spend it in the E2 Gift Shop, etc., but for leveling it means nothing. Let me give you an example:
For the new level 1 user to reach level 2, they need to create 20 writeups - no if's, and's, or but's (i.e., no merit/honor roll bonuses available). With 5XP given for creating a new writeup, that's an automatic 100XP they will have earned by the 20th writeup. If you add bonuses for votes and C!s received, the number could easily be higher. Since they only need 50XP and will already have 100XP by the time they post their 20th writeup, XP means absolutely nothing to the level 1 noder.
For the level 2 user to reach level 3, they need to create a total of 40 writeups (or 20 more). Again, with 5XP given for creating a new writeup, that's a total of 200XP just for creating their writeups. Since they need 250XP, the must only earn an additional 50XP. So technically, XP means at least a little to the level 2 noder, however we must assume that for 40 of a user's writeups to remain on the site they must be getting at least a few upvotes, possibly a few C!s, and they've probably been spending a few votes. 50XP is practically nothing to earn - (statistically speaking) 6 days of voting, or an average reputation of 4 per writeup.
To reach level 4, we are back to XP meaning nothing - they need a total of 100 writeups and 500XP. 100 x 5XP per new writeup = 500XP. Nothing to earn.
The only jump is when you reach level 6, however, if you have been around long enough to reach level 6, you probably already have enough XP to reach level 9 or 10. It is likely that the only thing holding you back is that pesky writeup count.
Reputation-based System
My suggestioned change is to use your total reputation (i.e., the sum of the reputations of all your writeups) to determine your level. This could also be supplemented with rewards for C!s with each Ching equal to a specified bonus to your reputation. This system would encompass all of kthejoker's components for a good leveling system:
Level Requirements
As I mentioned above, there are several options for setting up the leveling requirements:
EXAMPLE: Let's say the highest total reputation for a user was 11550. Divide this by 77 to get 150 (yes I chose a number that divided evenly). This would mean that to reach level 2 you would need a total reputation of 150. To reach level 3, you need 150*2 (plus the 150 from the last level) for a total of 450. To reach level 4, you need 150*3 (plus the 450 from the last level) for a total of 900. A full chart is below:
Note that you could alternately use other methods for determining the requirements for each level such as using the standard deviation, the mean writeup reputation, or other methods. You could also determine the interquartile mean of all the writeups on E2 and multiple it by the number of writeups created by the noder with the most writeups to get the "highest total reputation" value listed above. Regardless of the ways the numbers are calculated, the concept remains the same. Also note that all users with a total reputation of less than 0 would have to be excluded from the calculations.
Please note that I am not calling for the banning of XP - simply a modified leveling structure that rewards great writers without some of the drawbacks of the merit system.
Given the current state of affairs and what it has spawned, this node probably won't be too popular. But if I was an outsider looking in, I wouldn't have a clue as to what most, if anything, anybody here was talking about. Forget the fact that these kinda write ups regularly dominate the Page of Cool. Yeah, if I was an outsider, I'd consider this place a little too self indulgent for my tastes and be on my merry way.
To me, therein lies the rub.
In saying that please keep in mind that I don't in any way, shape or form mean to insult, slander, debunk, defend, offend, pretend, mystify, glorify, justify, classify, sanctify, dignify, rationalize, canonize, blasphemize, emphasize, subsidize, finalize, validate, denigrate, fornicate, consecrate, obfuscate, alienate, delineate, antiquate, acerbate, repudiate, mediate, meditate, legislate, amputate, resonate or berate any noder here for his or her own opinion on the subject of XP, voting, chings, proposed enhancements and our future..
In fact, I admire and respect each and every one of you who took the time to try and make our world an idyllic place for writers and readers to share their experiences in a utopian world where both critics and authors can call it a day and go share a beer or two without any hard feelings. A place where egos are tossed aside and skins aren't so thin that the slightest barb will cause somebody to bleed out and become fled. Where grudges and personality conflicts don't exist and where everybody's opinion carries the same weight and each person is treated with the dignity and respect afforded them just because of the fact that they're human. A place where we can all come and gather to drink from the same well and share both our fortunes and misfortunes as if they were the same. A place where innocent new writers can test their words without fear of recrimination or criticism and where seasoned veterans aren't owed any allegiances.
Get real...
I've always thought of myself as a pretty simple guy and while sometimes the simplest solutions seem almost too simple I'm gonna try and offer up one of my own to try and help solve the latest perceived conundrum that we're experiencing.
We, all of us, should spend more time writing and less time gazing at our navels in bouts of introspection or contemplating our fate in the c-box. How do you think that makes us look in front of anybody that stops by for the first time? I'm guessing some will be intrigued enough to maybe open an account but the vast majority will just move on. Shit, if I looked at the place today for the first time I might be tempted to do the same.
I'm a firm believer that good writing will attract good writers. If it takes some effort to get the word out then fine, get the word out.
In the end though, just like in the "real world" people will come and people will go. Some will be missed and others forgotten and those of us that remain will still be beating our heads against the wall trying to figure out why.
To put this in military terms, I hope this won't cost me a stripe but I'm just not one of those guys.
That doesn't mean I don't love the place or the people any more or any less than anybody else here. It's just the way it is.
jaybonci, a guy who was here since the beginning had this to say in the c-box the other day as yet another debate raged on about the things I mentioned earlier.
"Maybe there aren't solutions. That's a serious statement. I'm not trying to be facetious."
Neither am I
Peace out home slice!
Love and kisses,
Borgo
And people wonder why I hate myself.
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