Post count (points to next rank) not updating.

[Brony Number 42 10,097]

For the past couple weeks, my "points to next rank" counter has not been updating, no matter where I post. I'm stuck at 793 away from next rank.

[Splashee 28,601]

@Brony Number 42

Thank you for making us aware of this issue. Your thread has been edited to reflect the issue better.

_

 

 

 

To sum up how things work: The forum is supposed to decrease the points to next rank by one a few seconds after you post in an area that give you post count.

It has bothered me lately that new members have been stuck on Blank Flanks rank too long, even after having 20 post count. Since that rank limits what you can do on the forum, it doesn't make it a fair introduction to new members. This issue needs to be looked at.

[Rikifive 24,795]

On 2023-01-07 at 11:01 AM, Splashee said:

To sum up how things work: The forum is supposed to decrease the points to next rank by one a few seconds after you post in an area that give you post count.

It no longer works like this unfortunately. :c

The problem is, that the Post Count and Ranks now use completely different counters and each is living on its own, so to speak.

The Rank is no longer reflecting Post Count in any way, so it is possible to have a different Rank than what would the Post Count suggest, and it is normal. Ranks are based on a new counter called "Points".

These two have their own settings too, so it may be possible, that posting in certain area is set to increase Post Count, but the Ranks aren't configured to catch "Points" from that, which may cause that desynchronization and generate confusion. It can work in another way too, that certain actions unrelated to posting can be set to increase Points, but obviously it will not increase the Post Count. I don't seem to have an access to Rank configuration, so I'm unable to delve deeper into that to confirm anything. From what I remember, the Points were configured to attempt simulating how it worked previously, to raise Points only when posting in areas that are set to increase the Post Count as well. If your Post Count raises but Points not, perhaps something happened there, and this indeed will have to be verified by relevant ponies.

 

- - -

I took a look and the last time you got a Point was on 20th December 2022, same goes for @Splashee and few other users I have checked, so this indeed does look like something happened there at that time...

 

 

On 2023-01-07 at 11:01 AM, Splashee said:

It has bothered me lately that new members have been stuck on Blank Flanks rank too long, even after having 20 post count. Since that rank limits what you can do on the forum, it doesn't make it a fair introduction to new members. This issue needs to be looked at.

The Rank actually does nothing, the limits are tied to Post Count and from what I see, everything works correctly. Users are normally promoted and have their limitations lifted as their Post Count increases. Previously the Rank was reflecting Post Count to help visualize the progress for newcomers, but sadly nowadays it will never be 100% accurate. Either way, users can become Muffins without getting the Muffin Rank.

So no worries, users can normally use the forums, it's just that their rank won't be updating, which still is "meh", but not as bad.  

Edited January 8, 2023 by Rikifive

[Splashee 28,601]

2 hours ago, Rikifive said:

The problem is, that the Post Count and Ranks now use completely different counters and each is living on its own, so to speak.

That is not the problem.

@Brony Number 42 is talking about the points not updating, and are stuck at 793. His post count (at this time) 3,553 is working.

 

Simply putting it, if you are stuck at 793, you will never reach 0, which is where the next rank is given out. That is the issue here.

[Rikifive 24,795]

1 hour ago, Splashee said:

That is not the problem.

Well, not on the surface. Previously it was working automatically, these two were directly connected. Now it requires additional setup to make one *try* to follow another, so to speak. The badges broke in the first place because Invision decided to change everything, now there are more options to worry about, and apparently something happened with the new config around 20th December 2022, as that's where the logs related to Points appear to end.

1 hour ago, Splashee said:

talking about the points not updating, and are stuck at 793. His post count (at this time) 3,553 is working.

And that's why it is a problem lol, with the previous setup, Points wouldn't get stuck, because they wouldn't exist. Post Count that works would handle all the work. 

 

Either way, yeah, yeah, I get what you mean. I did mention there has to be something wrong with the Points/Rank configuration, but I'm unable to access these settings myself. We'll have to wait for Administrators to take a look at this.

[Splashee 28,601]

This Site Questions topic is specifically about the new points system not updating (which affects everyone here), and that's why I harshly replied above to try to simplify the problem so it can be located and fixed more easily. I am sorry for quickly disregarding your technical description of how the system works @Rikifive

11 hours ago, Rikifive said:

around 20th December 2022, as that's where the logs related to Points appear to end

A lot of settings were changed around this time, some were necessary changes. I had a sense something went wrong with the points at this time as well. I'll just simply tag @Jeric to find this thread.

[Rikifive 24,795]

1 hour ago, Splashee said:

This Site Questions topic is specifically about the new points system not updating (which affects everyone here), and that's why I harshly replied above to try to simplify the problem so it can be located and fixed more easily. I am sorry for quickly disregarding your technical description of how the system works @Rikifive

No worries, I mainly wanted to mention, that account limitations coming from the Blank Flank rank are normally being lifted, as that's what you were concerned about. 

While I was here, I dumped some info nobody asked for (to put blame on Invision and call it a day  JK) and shared some results from my little investigation I was able to conclude, to at least verify the issue (so that no one has to ask questions like "Are you sure you're posting in areas that increase the post count?") and perhaps give some initial hints to relevant ponies who'll be looking at this. At least we have verified it's not OP being the only one experiencing this, and that it's been like this for a while. 

 

And now... we wait.  

[Jeric 46,890]

I'm in the process of fully implementing the Achievement system. When it broke I did a temporary fix and recounted the system to mimic the old system. Any issues from changes I am making are a natural byproduct of my meddling in that system. Points were not counting while I was playing with it, but they were turned off for every user so it was still fair, so to speak. We don't have a test environment, so when I do this it will impact the production environment in ways that I cannot foresee. 

 

No user has been kept from accessing any area of the forum due to this, as access permissions are handled by Groups and not by Ranks. Once a user is Promoted to Member they should have all accesses even if their rank badge is showing Blank Flank. Groups are controlled by post count not point value. Posts in areas that posts do not count are still in effect. Users cannot spam their way into Debate Pit. 

 

Points are a different system and number of points accumulated will award a rank that corresponds to that point value. Points are now accumulating for replies/comments in all areas of the forum from now on. Points will shortly be turned on for other forum use cases, when I am done and testing is complete I will make a full announcement how the point system works. Unlike last time changes made will count going forward, but not retroactively.