Jeric

Imma moving this to our OC Forum for further discussion

I wouldn't say so off hand, no. Back story would be important ... but on the whole just choosing a zebra is fine.

Happy 4th Birthday MLP Forums! In internet years that has to be close to being a full grow mare! For those that don't know, four years ago a young but perspicacious Brony by the name of @Feld0 flipped the switch on an upstart new forum celebrating a certain Pony show and its exploding community. Feld0 actually created an in depth retrospective of the origins of the site here, so I won't regale you with that story when you can get it from the horse's mouth directly. I am hoping that he will do us the honor of popping in here to say a few words. Forums, unlike large sexy social media platforms, tend to not get the appropriate recognition that they deserve. While it is not as glamorous as Twitter - it passes the most meaningful community driven test there is. There is no doubt that our little corner of digital Equestria has impacted many lives. We know from what others have mentioned that it may have saved a few lives in the process. Friendships have been forged (the amount of individuals I interact with has grown exponentially), and I have met people that I have no doubt will continue to be long lived friendships. I know that I am not the exception here. MLP Forums is a site that undoubtedly means different things to different members. Whether you come to talk Ponies posting 20+ topics a day, simply lurk about reading blogs and topics, or spend all of your time in the Lounge or Forum Games - your impact here is felt. It doesn't matter if this site has been a catalyst for life changes or a simple distraction. We thank you you for being here, each and every one of you. In celebration of MLP Forums 4th Birthday we are rolling out some cute little touches starting now as we take a week to celebrate what we enjoy about MLPF. All of this will culminate with the grand unveiling of the winner of the Buffy Cutie Mark Contest on 10/10/15 (still a few days to enter BTW). I hope you all like cake and explosive cannon fire. Thank you MLP Forums. Thank you Feld0 and Kurtiss and all those that make this place a cozy internet home for so many individuals. Here is to another 4 great years.

My Final Boss? I've faced it and the game reset on me. If it hadn't I would have lost. I will face it again, be it five years or twenty. Hopefully I will be stronger by then. One can hope.

This can be promoted using a blogs or status updates ... not creating multiple topics for Lyme.

I actually prefer standard demo ranges instead of an exact age anyway. So if and when we launch another MLPF Survey it would not include an age block, but may include a series of ranges (13-17, 18-22, etc) and also be optional.

This issue? You mean gun control? I have to make an assumption here since I'm unsure. I know she retweeted the official WH tweet on the OR shooting, and a quick tweet about paying for the victims of the shooting. On the celebrity political activism meter that is like a 1/10. Non issue. She actually is less of an activist than Tabby is with environmental issues, which can eclipse gun control as a touchy issue depending on the demographic and geography. Also, any issue that has at least a popular polling split should not be touchy. When someone says a position comment that carries 50% to 60% agreement is touchy, the RNC/DNC have a party. As far as the larger issue about celebrities, since I'm a policy wonk and actually follow the political landscape with detached interest it does not bother me when famous people hold and opine on strong opinions. The chance of said opinion impacting my views of mine is low enough that I have no concerns.

This thread appears to be some manner of random (but strangely enjoyable) nonsense, or something spammy of the sort. Thus, it has been sentenced to the Forum Lounge section of Cloudsdale Colosseum.

Technically that type of customization is possible, yes. However, we only support limited customization since we do want some control over visual presentation. Creating too much customization also creates extra layers of support that we would need to supply.

While I would have no issues with creating a platform to record and interpret data that would directly benefit MLPF, we currently do not have any plans for an officially sanctioned study like this. Just a few reasons why it would yield dubious results are limited sampling frame, inability to even perform basic cluster samples, low response rate, issues with Bayes' leading to misinterpreted data, convenience samples are unreliable, and very few members here qualified to interpret the data - I know of three on staff who have formal education on this, but that leads to researcher bias. I could go on. This is why I am very suspicious of some fan created studies. They are inherently flawed.

@@Chigens and Kay I actually struggled to locate a proper place for this topic. What I am about to say doesn't feel like it is going to be loungy, and the person this topic is dedicated to absolutely deserves greater acknowledgement than the lounge. I decided on the lounge because to me it is symbolic of fun and of community. It seems appropriate for what I am about to say. Three years ago today forum staff sent a PM inviting a classy and respected member of the MLPF community to join the Moderation Team. That person was Chigens. Three forum years is like 50 people years really. Chigens has seen this community grow and change over her tenure as a Mod. She bore witness to great calamities and monomentus celebrations. Her service is remarkable. On a personal note, she is one of the most approachable and honest individuals I have met since joining this forum. I have no doubt she will likely squirm inside at seeing this, but I didn't get my reputation for being whimsically unpredictable for nothing. There are so many new faces here you may not know her personally. Let me tell you this ... my conversations with her, particularly since I became an Administrator, have shown that she is an unapologetic defender of the membership and community here. On more that one occasion when I sought her counsel, she reminded me exactly why this forum exists and what made it special ... the community ... the fun. These discussions always served as a reminder than when I think of any changes ... that should always be in the forefront of my mind. That is why I posted this here. This is a forum dedicated to fun. It seems appropriate. Three years serving this community ... not many have that sort of dedication. Congratulations Chigens&Kay ... here's to another three ... and many more chats! To the staff who selected her ... Thank you.