Pony Herds

[Tteok 16]

If the forum software allows, could we have an option to join Herds, and have the sign of whatever herd we're in show on our profile and our posts? It could be herds categorized by what kind of pony we want to be (Earth, pegasus, unicorn), gender (colt or mare) (actually that would be pretty lopsided, scratch that), favorite pony of the main 6 (the Pinkie Pies, Boutique of Rarity, etc.), or something else I'm not thinking of right now. It could be a little game to join (e.g. have 40 posts, declare love for the representing pony in a few sentences, etc.), and each herd could have a "secret" section of the site, a clubhouse thing, where they could talk amongst each other, play games, etc. Maybe a few times a year, the Herds could hold competitions of... some sort, like fiction writing, PMVs, or drawing. Each Herd would have a Leader (Herd Leader, Alpha Pony, Jockey, w/e other names), either an elected official or an actual site mod (better yet, people could be assigned as mods for the particular Herd section of the site). I know there's already a RP section, but that's not what I mean.

 

If there's already something similar, please direct me to it, and sorry for asking!

Edited April 18, 2012 by Tteok

[Kapi 215]

Having been a staff on a site called SoniClans, I know exactly what you're talking about. Its entirely possible to do with the softare. But, I'm not sure how well it would work out. Its a neat concept, but unless the staff is willing to put in a lot of time to make it work out just right, it won't work. Plus, on the admin side, it'd be quite a mess in regards to permissions and stuff.

 

Of course, I can't speak for the staff, but just saying, its a cool idea, but I'm not sure how well it would work.

 

 

Basically, the whole point of SoniClans was that you signed up for an account, made 20 posts in the general discussion aea, then using those and an application you had to fill out, we'd determine which of 3 clans you were part of, "Freedom Fighters," "ARK," or "Chaotix." After being added to the proper user group, you'd be able to access the clans' forums, which included a general discussion are, and other stuff (depending on what the clan wanted.) Every six months, an election was held to determine the "Clan Leader." This person was able to comuncate with other leaders, and had minor moderation duties in their proper forums.

 

Admin wise, it was a pain. We had the standard user groups, but, in order to assign clans, we'd have to assign secondary groups. Further, we had to have seperate groups for the clan leaders, since the software we were using, IPB 1.3 could only support a primary and seecondary.

 

[Tteok 16]

Thanks for your input, Kapi. I wasn't expecting the intricate parts of this to go over too easy on the programming and administrating side of the forums. But I think that even a simple badge of whether you want to be an Earth pony, pegasus, or unicorn would still be pretty cool. Not that I'd expect you to seriously consider this from a new member like me, but I'd be willing to help out where ever I can; I'd hate to brainstorm a complicated idea, have no idea on how complicated and work intensive it actually is, then shove everything onto the admins and expect them to work magic in minutes as if they were robots or something.

[FLARE 952]

That sounds like a pretty cool idea, I'm sorta on the fence about the "secret" sections of the site, that wouldn't be an issue for staff, but more so an issue of users, something cool or interesting could go on in one of those secret sections and it would leave some people out of it and its sorta mean to do that. Unless I'm not understanding... Nonetheless sounds like a pretty cool idea.

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,527]

The idea is sound, but it seems to me like it would create artificial segregation between members by sorting them into "groups". I feel this goes against the values that we uphold at MLP Forums, as we strongly believe in creating a cohesive community where everyone feels like part of the MLP Forums "family".

 

Setting up the permissions wouldn't be that bad - IP.Board allows members to be part of unlimited secondary groups, and we already have a "secret" forum in place for approved Equestria architects on our Minecraft server.

[Guest]

I think the idea would be nice if it was more along the lines of just interest groups one could join, no secrets just common interests. There could be a group for gamer bronies, metal bronies, tech bronies, etc. etc. etc.

 

It would be more like a way to tag your interests, and there would be an official thread for the group but it wouldn't be secret. You wouldn't even neccesarily need a strict heirachy of leaders. Like Feld0 said, I don't really want to see segregated groups form.

[Tteok 16]

kk, the segregation from secret groups is a good point. But I don't think that being in public groups should be a problem. Of course, you'd have to try out to join a new group to prevent switching abuse.

 

Or if not even that, then maybe just badges on some subject.

[Ezynell 2,037]

kk, the segregation from secret groups is a good point. But I don't think that being in public groups should be a problem. Of course, you'd have to try out to join a new group to prevent switching abuse.

 

Or if not even that, then maybe just badges on some subject.

 

http://mlpforums.com/topic/13709-proposal-forum-badges/

[Swordfishtrombone 384]

If the groups were extremely inclusive, if there was no secret business, if people knew what to do, if there was no group fighting, then yes it is a fine idea. And you'd need to give members the right to have their say. But it has its worth. I would support it.

Edited April 19, 2012 by Swordfishtrombone

[Ezynell 2,037]

If the groups were extremely inclusive, if there was no secret business, if people knew what to do, if there was no group fighting, then yes it is a fine idea.

 

That also puts allot of pressure on the mods to secure forum equilibrium. I think that it would be better as "fan clubs" instead of separate "herds"

[Swordfishtrombone 384]

Yes, fan clubs are good too. I would also heavily support the idea of the inclusive fan club. Groups would be very nice in general. FeldO is chief, its his call.

[Ezynell 2,037]

Yes, fan clubs are good too. I would also heavily support the idea of the inclusive fan club. Groups would be very nice in general. FeldO is chief, its his call.

 

Oh, that reminds me, we do have them. These used to be really active just a few months back, they were really well organized, but died down quite a bit. With a little work, we may be able to bring them back.

[Tteok 16]

Nice to know that the existing clus are threads that are pretty popular concepts.

 

Maybe just strip the idea to badges for favorite pony, an option that can be switched at any time.

[Kapi 215]

The idea is sound, but it seems to me like it would create artificial segregation between members by sorting them into "groups". I feel this goes against the values that we uphold at MLP Forums, as we strongly believe in creating a cohesive community where everyone feels like part of the MLP Forums "family".

 

Setting up the permissions wouldn't be that bad - IP.Board allows members to be part of unlimited secondary groups, and we already have a "secret" forum in place for approved Equestria architects on our Minecraft server.

 

This. I myself think its a great idea, but having been through it before, I can safely say it would be better off as its own forum or site. Of course, I should make it clear that I'm nobody, that's all the mod team's decision. Maybe down the road this could be looked at again? I'd love to see the badges idea go through though.