In order to avoid showing any type of favouritism I'll not quote any one preson, but rather all have shown a deeper thought, and intellectual understanding of each others' point of view.
Bish your first post was thoughtful, and well said. Stikpusher, and Doog - both of your posts were thoughtful, and poignant (to the point), and hearfelt. Well thought out, and eloquently said through most of this thread, and historically so in many cases. I too wish that I had something that others thought was important enough to recognise, but I'm simply glad to come here to share what I know with others who share the same passion that I do about the same subjects. I may not be the most popular, but when I say something it's not to pad my post count. I don't mind that it doesn't show up. I'd rather be remembered for what I said rather than how many times I've posted. The quality is not related to the quantity of what you've said.
Let me put in my two cents worth. If you want to do this, then try it this way: Add a line (under the user name) that says how many posts people thought was interesting, or important, one line under that one that shows how many posts people thought was good, helpful, one under that line for funny, and how many posts that people didn't like at all in another line under that one. I suggest lime green with a black line in one space to show up neutrally in the white background. Much like the lines on www.studioscalemodelers.com to denote when the members there like what the particular post says by who said it, and why. The longer the green, and the shorter the black in the line represents how many posts members "approved" as opposed to the number of the ones that they've made overall.
www.scalemodeladdict.com uses the monikers "recreational user, habitual user, addict, needs intervention." for the number of posts that their members make. This would make a basic representation of what the majority of members think of the particular members' contribution to the forum, as well as the cause of modeling in general. This is after all Kalmbachs baby, and their bread and butter - let them decide if this is to the best interest of their site since the sale of magazines is how they make their money. The more views a thread gets shows the longevity of this forum, and its' members as well as the importance of the subject matter. I say that the true test of a members' importance is the experience that they share, and what they have to offer the community as a whole. It all depends on what their own perogative is as whether, or not to stay on the forum. I've been spotty myself, and I apologise for that, but life just throws things at you that you can't always see. We lost a wonderful member on hobbytalk last year, and one here on finescale. They will be sorely missed, and forgotten as time goes on, but will live on in the hearts of those who knew, and loved them! That's all I have to say on the subject. Thank you all for participating, and thank you for posting this thread.
~ Cobra Chris