Ratings and Anchors

Len,
Maybe a good use for the rating of posts might be to combine it with the anchor feature. If you can configure so that only registered members can rate a post and only rate it one time, then set a certain rating as deserving of an anchor at the top of page 1 for say 5 days.
You probably should set a minumum number of votes, say 25 registered users in 18 hours.
5 stars = 5 days at the top
4 stars = 4 days
3 stars = 3 days

Maybe this is a way to reward posts that are well done and loaded with good info and nice photos.

regards,
Rick "catdaddy" Blankenship
edit
2 1/2 thats funny, but you rated it to high

I like it if the software will suport it.. Great idea.

I did briefly anchor the PAMPA post and the one on the T-shirt emblem by request, but I am reluctant to see too many anchored posts. If we have more than one or two anchors at a time, then we have to plow through all these just to get at what is new. What if we had 30 or 40 anchors. New posts would suddenly get shoved to the second page automatically. Everything is a problem.

If it is a "view only" type of post, one that needs or deserves being seen, then anchoring it will help. If it is one that brings on a lot of discussion or comments, then it will rise to the top on its own. The anchored posts are set so that only the administrator can do this. (You could imagine the problem of everyone deciding to anchor their posts otherwise).

Personally, I view the forum in expanded mode (little + and - in the left side of the dark blue bar at the top). When I enter the forum I scan down to the botom most new post. I read this and work my way to the top. Any new posts that will happen while I am doing this will always be posted at the top anyway. That way when I reach the top I click the "mark" icon and move on.

But, in answer to your suggestion, unless it is an "information only" type of post (and there have been some great ones of this variety), if it has enough interest it will move to the top on its own by way of other people's comments.

Your right of course. Wish you would have posted this when Mr Rabe was upset about his post not staying on the first page for very long. I wouldn't have wasted my time trying to think of something that might work.

I guess he was happy that you expanded the number of viewable post by 10. That will probably keep a post on the front page for at least an extra hour or two.