AnswerBank Badges: An Update

[AB Editor]

Good morning.

As some of you may be aware we have a new badge system implemented in The AnswerBank.

See full feature list here: http://www.theanswerb...Question1166360-9.htm

We closed the site for around 4 hours last night to try and get it all up and working - we've managed part of that!

* Badges can be found on your profile under the badge tab.
* You can see the badge of others on their profile - just click their avatar!
* Best answers can now be seen on public and private profiles

For example, see my two badges here: http://www.theanswerb...ers/ab-editor/badges/

The script which runs to generate all badge instances is still running, so expect some fluctuation regarding the number of badges you have gained!

Until the script finishes this page will be empty: http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/badges/ but when it has completed there will be a list of all badges available and how to achieve them.

Here's the short version of how to get each: (NOTE: some of the numbers required have changed)

Definitions:
Debate Topics: News, Society & Culture, Religion and Spirituality
Long Thread: any thread with 60+ answers

Single Case Badges: (Badge with no bronze/gold/silver rankings)

Acolyte: made 100 posts to this thread: http://www.theanswerb.../Question1066858.html
The Motson: 20+ best answers in Football
The Delia: Achieved by achiving both The Motson and any level Michelian star
O.B.N. (Order of the Brown Nose): 15+ best answers marked by AB Editor
The Alan Shearer Punditry Trophy: 200+ answers in Sport and/or it's subsections without recieving a best answer for any of them. (Should this be taken away once a best answer is achieved)
Quick Draw: 10+ best answers which are also the first answers of the thread.
Gobshite - > 99% of posts in Chatterbank

3-Tier Badges: (Badges with bronze/gold/silver rankings)

Debator: taken part in 20/50/70 "Long Threads" in Debate topics
Great Host: Provided 33% of answers on 10/20/50 "Long Threads" they originated
Michelian Star: 10/20/50 best answers in Recipes
Newscaster: Posted 50/70/150 questions in News and/or Current Affairs
Chatterbox - More than 500/1000/5000 posts in Chatterbank
Healer - More than 10/20/50 best answers in Body & Soul (and its sub-topics)
Puzzler - More than 20/50/100 best answers in Quizzes and Puzzles
Legal Eagle - More than 10/20/50 best answers in Law
Agoniser - More than 10/20/50 best answers in Relationships & Dating
Nerd - More than 10/20/50 best answers in Technology (and its sub-topics)
1337ist - More than 10/20/50 best answers in Gaming
Jock - More than 10/20/50 best answers in Sport (and its sub-topics)

In short - we know it's not perfect - but we'll get there sooner rather than later. In the mean-time please:

1. Report any issues you're having here
2. Ask any questions about the upgrade here
3. Hurl general abuse at me here

[naomi24]

Can't say I remember him - even with a name like that!

[AB Editor]

He moves in mysterious ways I suppose.

[excelsior-1]

all those categories --- 'more than' and a number ..

surely that favours those AB'ers who have been here for years.

[naomi24]

Yes, Ed, I'm sure he does. :o)

[excelsior-1]

what about badges for reasons other than sheer quantity of posts?

[Baldric]

A Trekkie badge?^^^^^

[MarkRae]

Presumably the "best answer is also first answer" badge doesn't count if there's only one answer?

http://www.theanswerb...4.html#answer-7215461

[AB Editor]

I think it counts. There could be one answer, but it could have been wrong, and not marked as best.

"What about badges for reasons other than sheer quantity of posts? "

What metric would you like us to use? Please remember it must be quantifiable.

Did you not read my earlier answer to you?

"-2- some of these badges are for large amounts of posts etc, therefore only AB'ers of several years will get them .. is that not fair to those with shorter time spans?"

Depends if we're rewarding positive contributions or if everyone needs prizes?

Does everyone need a badge? If you want a badge we've outlined how to gain one: get best answers in your chosen category. :)

(More badges to be added soon, so your chances do increase!)

"A Trekkie badge?"

Possibly for posting at least once in every category? Could that be considered going boldly where no one has gone before?

[MarkRae]

> I think it counts. There could be one answer, but it could have been wrong, and not marked as best.

So why does this not qualify?
http://www.theanswerb...4.html#answer-7215461

[sir.prize]

Hi Ed. How can this happen?

Some ABers have asked lots of questions and given thousands of answers, yet no badges awarded. But a badge is awarded to a user (a member for over 5 years) asked 0 questions, gave 2 answers and NOT accredited with Best Answer.

Despite this statement on their profile //This member has gained a best answer which was also the first answer on the thread.//

[AB Editor]

Ah, sorry, I understand your post now.

Short answer - I don't know. I'll report it to the techies and we'll see if that's something which can be ironed out. It is odd.

Thanks for reporting.

[AB Editor]

Yes, we're also looking into that S.P.

[Baldric]

27 bests in x-words, 50 bests in Q & P (as of Tues morning) and not a Puzzler in sight?

;o(

[anneasquith]

ED. I have to admit i have not read very much about the 'badges', but two questions if you dont mind. a) who chooses to award the badges ? b) what is the purpose of the said badges ? and why cant i access the results of my badges on my profile ? ( i know its 3 ) :) TIA

[MarkRae]

Same here, Baldric.

[cazzz1975]

A good way of encouraging "less chatter, more Q&A" ;)

[EvianBaby]

I think people are caring far too much about what is essentially a computer generated drawing.

[AB Editor]

Hmm. I'll submit your case as well Baldric.

Here's your badges Anne. You need to use the tabs on your profile page:
http://www.theanswerb...s/anneasquith/badges/

"a) who chooses to award the badges ?"
They are automatically awarded when you reach a certain threshold of Q&A/Best in a topic.

"b) what is the purpose of the said badges ?"
Two answers for this question:
1. It's a bit of fun
2. News users will be able to work out who is an "expert" in a category.
3. A small token of recognition to those who have made this site better through their contributions.

[AB Editor]

"I think people are caring far too much about what is essentially a computer generated drawing."

A human being created them (with a computer I grant you). Or do you mean that they're allocated by computer? (which is correct).

I think everyone is caring the correct amount for them :)

[factor-fiction]

I'm surprised buildersmate has only one badge and that's for debating rather than his expertise on HR and planning issues