In the image below, you will see an example of the Member Information that is displayed next to every post. This shows the public information about the poster/member. Note: Some of the examples used here may be browser and/or forum template dependant. Some browsers/templates may display differently and some functions may be unavailable due to individual set up. For these examples, I am using FireFox v3.6 and the 'IPB 2.2.x Default' Template.
The first line shows the Member's forum User Name. Clicking directly on the name will bring up the full, public information on that user (providing your forum permissions permit it). If the mouse is hovered over the box surrounding the user name, a small down-arrow will appear to the right hand side. Clicking on this arrow will bring up further options (which I won't go into here).
Now we come to the first line below the user name. In the example, it is the line 'GPF Administrator' and the 4 blocks (pips) below it - this is the Member RANK.
In this case, 'GPF Administrator' is a Custom Member Title - this option is available to Members of certain Groups and can be changed with varying frequency.
The standard GPF Ranks are:
- * GPF Newbie (0 - 29 posts) - No pips
* Active Member (30 - 199 posts) - 1 pip
* Established Member (200 - 499 posts) - 2 pips
* Veteran Member (500 - 999 posts) - 3 pips
* Expert Member (1000 - 4999 posts) - 4 pips
* GPF Addict (5000+ posts) - 5 pips
Important Note: These RANKS are mainly cosmetic and have no bearing on Forum permissions or access rights - these are purely based on post count and are auto-promoted.
The most important line is next:
Group:
In this case, 'Administrators'. This displays the forum 'GROUP' that the Member belongs to and certain groups are colour coded. Groups DO have a bearing on Forum Permissions and Access Rights. Some are based on post count and some are not.
The 'Groups' used at GPF are:
Standard Member Groups:
- * New Signups (0 posts) - Colour Code default - Auto-Promoted to 'Probationer' after 1 post in 'New Signups' thread.
* Probationer (1 - 4 posts) - Colour Code default - Auto-Promoted to 'Full Member' on 5 posts.
* Full Members (5 - 199 posts) - Colour Code default - Auto-Promoted to 'Senior Members' on 200 posts.
* Senior Members (200+ posts) - No further auto-promotion and is the highest standard Member Group.
Program Owner Groups - these are independant of the regular auto-promotion and are allocated by the Administrators on application and approval. Members of these groups can lose their status if they no longer qualify and will return to their standard equivalent:
- * Program Owners (up to 199 posts) - Auto-Promoted to 'Senior Program Owners' on 200 posts.
* Senior Program Owners (200+ posts)
* Authorised Reseller - Colour Code default
Staff Groups - these are independant of the regular auto-promotion and are allocated by the Administrators on application or invitation. Members of these groups can lose their status if they no longer qualify or wish to resign and will return to their standard equivalent:
- * Administrators - Have absolute control of forum and are responsible for Staff, Moderators, Members and overall running of GPF.
* GPF Moderators - Have Global Moderation Rights - they can Moderate anywhere and are responsible for the daily running of GPF. Duties include keeping forum clear of Spam and ensuring Members abide by the Forum Rules as set by the Administrators.
* Niche Moderators - Are responsible for designated areas only, as discussed and allocated by Administrators on appointment to the position. Duties include keeping forum clear of Spam and ensuring Members abide by the Forum Rules as set by the Administrators.
Additional Groups:
- * Awaiting Authorisation - This means that the Member has not clicked the link in the verification email sent by the forum on signup to GPF or when they have changed their GPF registered, email address.
* Guests - this group cannot post under the current settings but posts may be still visible of the forum with 'guest_username'. This means that the Member who made the post has subsequently had their account deleted from GPF. Guests CAN view the forum and will show up in the Board Statistics and Active Users List.
* Banned - just as it says on the tin. These accounts have been banned for breaking GPF Rules.
* Pending Deletion - any Member can request that their account be cancelled/deleted. However, on request the account is set to Pending Deletion until 6 months have passed from the original request date. This is to prevent Members who have excess Warnings etc. from leaving then attempting to signup with a fresh, clean account. Members of this group cannot post, use the PM system or change their personal information.
High Post Count is not the 'be all, end all' to GPF. We would rather see Quality Posts that are useful to the community, as a result of this the Staff are extremely strict when it comes to Post Count Boosting. This is normally attempted by those whose sole aim is to access facilities reserved for genuinely active members. Post Count Boosters will have their counts reset and demoted to their entitled group level. Repeat offenders may even have restrictions placed on their account to prevent access to areas even if their 'group' permits them.
I hope that this helps Members to identify the Groups and Ranks used here at GPF and the differences between them.
Best Regards
Tony