I was thinking of adding ranks to this site. Depending on how many posts you have, you get a rank. Does anyone have any ideas on what ranks there could be?

I assume you can also set the threshold of each Rank? Some sort of logical progression like: 0..50..100..250..500..1000..2000 etc. Could each Rank Title be linked to the Fishy world? Some sort of size progression. (and forgive me for having no idea what I'm talking about here!) Eg:

Characin, Cyprinid, Anabantid, Cichlid, Catfish...(but the hierarchy is subjective - Easier if we were a Catfish Site! (hem hem) or Marine Mammals)

Rain Drop, Puddle Slapper, Pond Stomper, Stream Splasher, Lake Leaper, River Widener, Sea Breezer, Ocean Viewer.

Caudal, Adipose, Anal, Pelvic/Ventral, Dorsal, Pectoral. (as you move forward. maybe begin with those little sticks that fins are made from?)

Bacterium, Parasite, Herbivore, Carnivore, Omnivore, Predator...

Big Fish, Little Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish...(Too obscure?)

Infra, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet, Ultra

I also thought of the Nitrogen Cycle, but it's a bit of a 'Which came first, the Fish or the Egg?' type of thing.

The other sites have little stars as you progress, can that be changed? Maybe little fish?

I like the rain drop, puddle slapper, etc...
The bacterium, parasite, etc... is also a good one.
Maybe we can have people vote for the best one.

As you saw on my Test Forum, we should be able to design our own AB Rank Graphics. I believe they link in the same way as the AB Logo. An individual Graphic is assigned to each Rank.

Of course it's probably best to select Rank Titles first, so that the Graphics can hopefully be themed with the Title. With alternating Cell Colors in the Posts, I'm gunna need to hone my transparency skills.

I have Ranks working on the Test Forum. You see some rather 'rough' versions over there. (Users only need 2 posts to get promoted!)

I guess we just decide on which direction we're taking...

I thought it a possibilty to use water droplets to indicate Rank. Here's a sample of the droplets I can generate. They can be smaller or larger than this, but I feel this size range would be adequate. I imagine three variations of usage;

1. Straight forward, add an additional and identical droplet for each Rank.
2. As above, but begin with a small droplet, and add a slightly larger droplet at each rank.
3. Have only one droplet ever, but it gets larger at each Rank.

Otherwise, a 'tint' would need to be decided on. (I like the 'Clear', it's nice and subtle)

I like the clear and the blue drops. The clear ones would probably be best. I think having one drop getting bigger is the best of the 3 ideas.
Should we have people vote for the ranks? The rain drop, puddle slapper, etc... and bacterium, parasite, etc... are my favorites.

The best way would be to PM members (I think the Administrator can send a 'blanket' message to all Members?) to come in here and vote. Then all you need do is decide when time is up, tally the votes, and tell me which one.

But if you want to pick one straight up, I'm fine...

What about the evolutionary chain?
Microbial
Complex
First multicellular animals
Shell-bearing animals
Vertebrates
Amphibians
Reptiles
Mammals

This is a bit weird voting largely for my own ideas (but it's subject to change should I see a new idea I like!).

Clear Bubbles for the Image.
Option 2: progression small bubble to large.
The Post threshold progression of 0..50..100..250..500..1000..2000
The "Rain Drop.." title progression*


* a couple of the higher titles could be re-worked if anyone has ideas ('leaper' and 'Widener' in particular)? And I'm unsure if we want to use the 'Sea', and 'Ocean' titles, as technically they're 'Marine'.

I do like the Evolutionary Chain. Can it be reworked with a more 'Fishy' feel?

I haven't been here for a week, so I really have no idea what's happening. But, the first thing I noticed was those images in Kana3's signature. Maybe those could be used as ranks?

I don't want to be an angel fish. I would like to be a Frontosa, Managuense, Green terror.

I think the images in my Sig, are a bit large for ranking. They need to fit into the Avatar area down the left. And shrinking them much further will distort their features into 'blobs'.

Ha ha. Yeah, blobs wouldn't be the best images to have as ranks. Well, I was just wondering.

I've installed the Ranks, and attached the images of Droplets. As you rise up, you get an additional and larger Droplet.

The levels are:

No posts - No Rank
Level 1 : 1 to 49
Level 2 : 50 to 99
Level 3 : 100 to 249
Level 4 : 250 to 499
Level 5 : 500 to 999
Level 6 : 1000 to 1999
Level 7 : 2000 and up

I'd imagine if anyone gets to Level 7, and more Ranks are required, it'd be best to remain at maybe intervals of 1000. It'd be pointless to continue doubling.

I'm still working on the wording of the Rank Titles. I should have those shortly.