# We the People of the SDMB would like customizeable titles! {Not doing the contest, maybe a Queue} **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 14, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847 "2024-03-14T21:54:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/41 "2024-03-16T13:29:37Z")
> [@susan](#): > > I’m sick of “Guest,” which isn’t accurate. This. I haven’t been here since the beginning of time, but I have been here for (checks account) almost 5 years, and I’ve at least gained the “Member” trust level, for what it’s worth. I can’t think if anything special I would like as a title, but I am tired of guest. I could even go with “Mumper” to reflect how many of my posts are in the weekly MMP. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/42 "2024-03-16T13:43:20Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > I’ve at least gained the “Member” trust level, for what it’s worth. AIUI the title “member” isn’t based on trust but on _having paid_ to subscribe to the site (i.e., becoming a member) back when that option was available. As I’ve said, I’d like to see that option available again. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/43 "2024-03-16T13:43:59Z")
I bumped this up to the Modloop to see what the reaction is. The 2 of us Mods that have posted here seem to be enthusiastic about trying this out. ---
**Author:** ![superwombat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superwombat/32/16616_2.png) [@superwombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superwombat)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/44 "2024-03-16T15:00:45Z")
I like the idea of opening the option to users; those who choose to use the feature could even display a tidbit of info they’d like to share, such as preferred pronouns or location, etc. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/45 "2024-03-16T15:09:25Z")
That might not even be an option. My guess is that it is not. Right now I think we’re trying for step 1 of a queue if we get permission even for that. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/46 "2024-03-16T16:07:22Z")
> [@susan](#): > > I’m sick of “Guest,” which isn’t accurate. I was a Charter Member but couldn’t swing paying for it at some point, and then it was too late. If getting a custom title relies on a contest, though, I’m going to be stuck with Guest forever This describes me as well, although I was a just a Member – I joined after the PTP era began. For reasons I don’t remember I didn’t renew my membership before it expired and then we switched to Discourse so the chance to renew my membership was gone. I’ve been here for 17 years, I gave TPTB a _lot_ of money when they did the “Friend of Cecil” drive several years ago, I’ve donated to various GoFundMes that benefit Dopers, I’ve attended Dopefests, and Tuba once sent me an email asking if I was interested in being a mod. So I guess I bristle a bit at the _Guest_ title. A custom title, even one I pay for, would be welcome. But I’m not entering a contest to get one. If my nearly 2 decade history and participation on this board isn’t enough to warrant the privilege of a title, so be it. I guess I’m a guest. Edit: I see the option of awarding titles based on winning a contest has been nixed, so my concern is moot. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/47 "2024-03-16T16:10:58Z")
I think we can forget the contest idea. Hoping we can just get a Queue going at some point as @puzzlegal wrote it up above. > [@We the People of the SDMB would like customizeable titles!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles/998847/23): > > I like the idea of customizable titles. And i think it’s something any mod can do. I’d probably opt for a simpler system. Any poster who meets certain criteria (been here for a while, posted at least so much in the past year… just something to prevent random socks from entering the queue) could go to a “request a title” thread and ask for one. Any mod who was bored and looking for a way to suck up to posters could start at the top and grant some titles, editing the request posts as they go so i… I’ll try to keep the Modloop discussion going and hopefully have an answer by next week. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/48 "2024-03-16T16:19:21Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > If it leads to trouble and (more than usual) stupidity, turn it back off on 4/2 and say “It was just an April Fools joke!” A couple of times, want to say 2010-2011, the board did some official April 1st hijinks, with all sorts of weird crap enabled. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/49 "2024-03-16T17:16:51Z")
For the record, I don’t think “member” is linked to past donations, but I’d bet it’s linked to some discourse stuff, possibly having completed the basic and advanced tutorial. I say this because I didn’t create an account until AFTER the move to Discourse, and of course, haven’t contibuted to any of the previous pay/donation options, yet I show as a “member” despite my tenure. But I have completed the tutorials. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/50 "2024-03-16T17:21:17Z")
I see no title under your user name. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/51 "2024-03-16T17:22:45Z")
I’m sorry, I had a pre-coffee brain fart and was talking about trust level, not titles. I need coffee. Badly. 🧟 ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/52 "2024-03-16T17:23:50Z")
No need to apologize! ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/53 "2024-03-16T17:29:40Z")
But why not? Minor hijack but since the subject is currently under mod review, I’ll take a moment to explain while I watch coffee come into existence! I made an error (granted, not a serious one), you noticed it, notified me, which allowed me to correct it! I mean, rather than apologize, I could, equally, and in hindsight will, just thank you for the save. So thanks @bobot! And it’s still fine to apologize to others reading the thread for unintentionally providing misinformation. And now, to the French Press! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/54 "2024-03-16T18:30:11Z")
As a test, do you have a simple title you would like? I will make the change, at least temporarily. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/55 "2024-03-16T18:43:35Z")
Me? Either of the two mentioned would be fine: “Raider of the Lost Snark” or “I Plead Incompetence” are fine, with the first being more fun and less embarrasing. But if you want something simpler but still self-reflective “Lawful Neutral” or just “Seeker” ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/56 "2024-03-16T18:46:27Z")
_ **Raider of the Lost Snark** _ it is for now at least. The change is pretty simple. I’m not sure why some posters don’t even have guest. Yours was blank. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/57 "2024-03-16T18:47:49Z")
🕺 🕺 🕺 Squeaky wheel gets the grease! Seriously, thanks @What_Exit (directly), the other concurring mods, whatever Demon felt like increasing the ambient Chaos, and the other supporters in this thread. Apparently I now need to go write a book for @ThelmaLou: > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I look forward to reading your book, _The Art of the Toady_. ETA - Yes, I know it’s not absolutely a given as a permament feature, just a test case, but I can enjoy it for as long (or short) as it lasts. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/58 "2024-03-16T18:59:35Z")
I had to do a little testing anyway. But it is really a very simple change. So I don’t think I need to do anymore. I actually did 2 title changes today. The earlier one was putting the old title back onto a poster’s profile that came off suspension today. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/59 "2024-03-16T19:27:16Z")
I think it’s just another thing we’ll end up having to field complaints about. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847/60 "2024-03-16T19:28:18Z")
Probably, there will always be complainers. But I think it is a minor bene for members with fairly low effort for some of us Mods. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-the-people-of-the-sdmb-would-like-customizeable-titles-not-doing-the-contest-maybe-a-queue/998847.md?page=4)