Pixelation

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Peppermint Pig on October 15, 2006, 08:08:18 pm

Title: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Peppermint Pig on October 15, 2006, 08:08:18 pm
For those who were paying attention, the postcount rank system was updated recently. The ranks are organized as follows:

1 Gaijin: Foreigner
2 Nofu: Farmer
3 Shonin: Merchant
4 Ashigaru: Light-Infantry
5 Heishi: Regular Soldier
6 Ronin: Mercenary, Masterless Samurai
7 Ninja: Stealth Warrior
8 Jonin: High-Ninja
9 Kage: 'The Shadow', Elite Ninja
10 Ikkitousen: Peerless Warrior

If you really have an opinion about the updated titles, feel free to share.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Upated
Post by: Lick on October 15, 2006, 08:26:25 pm
 ??? Funny that I recognize some of those because I watch Naruto. Hehe!  :lol:
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Peppermint Pig on October 15, 2006, 08:31:37 pm
Hehehe...

Were you just asking before about how all those stars can fit?? It is my belief that they just start another line...

Just a bit of SMF information for you: You can pick which graphic you use for stars, but you can also choose a unique graphic for each rank, and change the number of stars for it... so it's feasable to have the first five ranks use yellow and red bordered shurikens, and the second half could use purple and blue bordered shurikens, and restart the number of stars from 1 to 5 again. We'll just have to wait and see, unless someone wants to nominate themselves for a high rank test.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Ryumaru on October 15, 2006, 08:34:43 pm
ronin sounds so much cooler than heishi, guess ill just have to post more.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Lick on October 15, 2006, 08:36:04 pm
Yeah I decided to remove that since it's pretty obvious that 10 shurikens fit just fine. I wasn't paying attention and assumed that they wouldn't fit on one line.

I wouldn't mind having 10 stars, so try me. Haha!
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Godslayer on October 15, 2006, 08:39:39 pm
What post count must you have for each of these?
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Peppermint Pig on October 15, 2006, 08:42:40 pm
0
25
75
150
300
600
1200
2400
5000
10000
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Lick on October 15, 2006, 08:43:13 pm
Oh LOL! So they don't fit! I was right after all. :P
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Godslayer on October 15, 2006, 08:44:58 pm
You can give me 10000 postcount anytime.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Peppermint Pig on October 15, 2006, 08:49:13 pm
Well, if you narrow the width of your browser, some will flow into a second line... so yes and no...

Quote
You can give me 10000 postcount anytime.
LOL... then EVERYBODY would want 10000.

Thanks for helping me out, Lick. I'll reset your postcount as it should be, including that latest post (176).
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Lick on October 15, 2006, 08:52:11 pm
Oh, in 1024x768 Firefox, it doesn't fit on one line, don't know about Internet Explorer. But if my resolution isn't standard anymore, then I guess it's enough reason (ehehhe) to buy a new monitor.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Terley on October 15, 2006, 10:32:43 pm
sweet, gotta get posting  ;)
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Cow on October 15, 2006, 10:52:00 pm
I like the sounds of Nofu. Reminds me of Mr. T. So I have to stop posting. :-X
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Akira on October 15, 2006, 10:56:32 pm
you've got 7 more, use them wisely :P
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Dogmeat on October 15, 2006, 11:47:44 pm
What bout mini nunchuku or some other weapon for the latter half.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Peppermint Pig on October 16, 2006, 12:06:17 am
Has to be 15x15... feel free to post some alternative icons.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: hawken on October 16, 2006, 05:00:18 am
why the random japanese names?

gaijin is kind of racist. gaikokujin is the proper word, it's like the difference between saying "japanese" and "jap", or "american" and "yank".
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Pawige on October 16, 2006, 07:24:52 am
(http://paul.gerla.us/images/icons.gif)
Made some random icons that might or might not be useful. I had fun, either way.  :P
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Helm on October 16, 2006, 01:04:56 pm
I AM TEN NINJAS
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Feron on October 16, 2006, 03:30:18 pm
Sweet idea.  Different icons would be cool though
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Faktablad on October 17, 2006, 03:22:12 am
Nice.  I've never seen anyone with 10000 posts before.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Peppermint Pig on October 17, 2006, 04:58:47 am
Quote
why the random japanese names?
We've always used Japanese titles on the forum, particularly associated towards fuedal and military subjects. Expanding on the titles is by no means a random process, even if there is no singular theme such as focusing on a particular martial arts system, for example.

Quote
gaijin is kind of racist. gaikokujin is the proper word, it's like the difference between saying "japanese" and "jap", or "american" and "yank".
So are you of the opinion that it is kind of racist, or do you feel that you are moreso to one side of the issue than the other, personally speaking? If by 'kind of' you allude to the multiplicity in meaning, then I can understand how some might take offense. I've read that it is often people who are foreign to Japan that receive the word almost always as a derogatory, but it's been used between people of Japan to refer to, simply, a 'stranger'. If I thought it was a word that people would be in an uproar about, I would probably have considered another option for this first level rank, but I've seen enough evidence to suggest that it is still a worthwhile word. In my mind, gaikokujin is overly formal and nationalistic for these purposes (succinctness), as well as being a longer word, and the Japanese do have a tendency to truncate some words, in this instance reducing back again to gaijin. I sincerely hope people are not intent upon utilizing the more negative connotations of the word here on this forum. Ultimately, it is just a word, and not something I'm married to. If we could find a superior rank list that reduced the possibility that someone would take offense, I would definitely consider that. Thanks for bringing this up hawken.

Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: hawken on October 17, 2006, 06:41:42 am
heh  ;)

well in Japan (where I live  ;D ) it's almost certainly seen as being a racist word. I guess outside Japan it's seen as a peculiar word, bordering on racist.  :n:

how about peasant? (?? "noubu") certainly fits in with your feudal class system. and sounds kinda funny in english too!
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Helm on October 17, 2006, 02:22:16 pm
I also enjoy how I am apparently a Ronin Shogun. An improbability if there ever was one in Feudal Japan!
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: miascugh on October 17, 2006, 04:25:46 pm
Noubu indeed does make for a nice pun actually, provided that it's pronounced the way i think.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Peppermint Pig on October 17, 2006, 06:32:54 pm
Hehe, I agree Miascugh. I like it. The only problem I see is that it mis-aligns the use of nofu to an extent, since farmers are assumably peasants as well. Show me a way to re-align the lower ranks. :)
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Dogmeat on October 19, 2006, 01:59:27 am
why the random japanese names?

gaijin is kind of racist. gaikokujin is the proper word, it's like the difference between saying "japanese" and "jap", or "american" and "yank".

Wrong, Gaijin just means foreigner in Japanese. In chinese on the other hand it means white devil.

Quote
well in Japan (where I live   ) it's almost certainly seen as being a racist word. I guess outside Japan it's seen as a peculiar word, bordering on racist. 


When did living in a country suddenly make someone a linguist for that country, c'mon man. My girlfriends entire family is from Japan, only in America is it supposed to mean something bad.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Panda on October 19, 2006, 05:43:45 am
Gaijin means foreigner, but as hawken said, is the derogative way of saying Gaikokujin. So he is not quite wrong.
Originally it was (and is still) used for lowering foreigners (nowadays people use it when talking with people they know and such though).
Japanese people won't call themselves gaijin so it doesnt really matter for them, and most of the ones called gaijin either don't understand nor care nor are in the place where they are called like that, but if you wanna speak properly, Gaikokujin is the word to go with.

And well, following what you said, what makes you a linguist for just having a kinda-family from Japan? I dont think a word means something bad depending on the place you are but depending on who says it towards what.

Anyway, apparently I'm a samurai merchant :0
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Peppermint Pig on October 19, 2006, 06:08:06 am
Quote
Anyway, apparently I'm a samurai merchant :0
  :lol:

Although a rank system ought to be relatively easy to set up (and forgettable to some), it has a profound effect on the membership from the responses here. As far back as I can recall, the fuedal Japanese system has been our mainstay, but the additions appear problematic. The subject is no less valid as from the initial observation made by hawken, but it's threatening to become a distraction. However, I really don't see a way around it; a change is in order, and further discussion would help.




Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: robalan on October 19, 2006, 06:23:25 am
Out of curiosity, why did you define postcount ranks all the way up to 10,000?  I've never seen a postcount that high anywhere.  Helm has the highest postcount on this board, and even at his current rate of posting he will take another several years to reach 10,000.  If Gaijin is problematic, why not just shift the entire heirarchy down one notch, making Nofu the lowest rank and having Ikkitousen fall at 5,000?  (other than the fact that Ikkitousen literally means "one with the strength of a thousand")  Or would you just rather have an even ten ranks and find a new name for the first one?
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Peppermint Pig on October 19, 2006, 07:03:08 am
Quote
Out of curiosity, why did you define postcount ranks all the way up to 10,000?
I'm looking forward to more great critiques by Helm.   ;)

Either I'll add in Noubu and change/remove the next two titles, or I'll get creative and suggest something different entirely. I would prefer an even ten at this point.

I'm going to sleep on it. Feel free to post alternative schemes if you have any ideas.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: hawken on October 19, 2006, 07:43:35 am
I think the idea of shifting the ranks down one to exclude gaijin and make the awesomest at 5000, would make sense.

Gaijin should be the top rank anyway!  :crazy:

BTW Dogmeat, are you serious or having a laugh?  ??? I've been in this crazy country for quite a while... and what you said if taken seriously is quite arrogant TBH.

Just to explain in a little more detail:

gaikokujin -> "gai" means outside, "koku" means country and "Jin" is a phonetic alteration of "nin", meaning person or human. "ningen" means person.

some of the titles have this "person" title combined;

3 Shonin: Merchant
6 Ronin: Mercenary, Masterless Samurai
8 Jonin: High-Ninja

others have honorific titles combined or just simply descriptive words for the job at hand.

The reason why Gaijin is seen as racist is because it's a shortcut of the proper title, slang in other words. You won't find it in the Japanese dictionary as being a proper word.

The way people use this word does differ though. "gaijin" like myself use it sparingly to describe each other, or a service for us. Like "gaijin house" etc. Although if a Japanese person, not in your immediate circle of friends were to use "gaijin" it would be deemed insanely racist. There's a thin line between racism and familiarity, as any black american male could attest.

So basically, Japanese people have no concerns about saying the word to each other, neither do foreigners, but used out of context to formally describe people, to their face or in writing is discrimination and people have even been taken to court over it. (admittedly only by one guy here in japan, he's a kind of racial equality campaigner)

In closing, I can't really understand the logic of a Japanese class system with Gaijin being in there at all, because many "gaijin" came to Japan originally as traders and would therefore be above all classes, not being ruled by Japan but rather their sovereign lands. In addition they would be treated with respect over that of any farmer or simple warrior.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Feron on October 19, 2006, 07:51:38 am

1 Gaikokujin - Foreigner
2 Noubu: Peasant
3 Shonin: Merchant
4 Ashigaru: Light-Infantry
5 Heishi: Regular Soldier
6 Ronin: Mercenary, Masterless Samurai
7 Ninja: Stealth Warrior
8 Jonin: High-Ninja
9 Kage: 'The Shadow', Elite Ninja
10 Ikkitousen: Peerless Warrior
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: ptoing on October 19, 2006, 12:49:56 pm
I just made a test with Feron and gave hom 10000 posts. Result: 10 stars in a row, looks ass, I suggest a different icon for the last 5 stars.

I fixed the Gaikokujin and Noubu thing and also made an Onigiri icon, so now it's 1-5 onigiri and then 1-5 shuriken from ronin on (which makes perfect sense)
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Wolverine on October 19, 2006, 01:11:03 pm
Ain't onigiri some kinda rice crap?  Us low posters get that instead of shurikens? 

I liked being 'Gaijin' too

http://www.americanicon.com/images1/mmmgwm2pack.jpg
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: ptoing on October 19, 2006, 01:17:25 pm
Yeh, Onigiri are ricedumplings with nori (seaweed at the bottom). Anything lower than Ronin is not fighting anyway!
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: hawken on October 19, 2006, 01:56:03 pm
I love onigiri
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: ptoing on October 19, 2006, 02:12:08 pm
Yeh, japanese food in general rocks in most cases!
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Feron on October 19, 2006, 04:29:04 pm
I just made a test with Feron and gave hom 10000 posts. Result: 10 stars in a row, looks ass, I suggest a different icon for the last 5 stars.

you coulda left it high.  meanie.  :mean:
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Mirre on October 19, 2006, 06:02:11 pm
I just had sushi! :lol:

Love the onigiris. They rock! ... and go great with the theme as well. I also like the new ranks and everything. Good job guys!
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Godslayer on October 19, 2006, 07:39:15 pm
Can we get the option to turn those icons off then? Dont like um.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Dogmeat on October 19, 2006, 07:53:42 pm
I think the idea of shifting the ranks down one to exclude gaijin and make the awesomest at 5000, would make sense.

Gaijin should be the top rank anyway!  :crazy:

BTW Dogmeat, are you serious or having a laugh?  ??? I've been in this crazy country for quite a while... and what you said if taken seriously is quite arrogant TBH.

Just to explain in a little more detail:

gaikokujin -> "gai" means outside, "koku" means country and "Jin" is a phonetic alteration of "nin", meaning person or human. "ningen" means person.

some of the titles have this "person" title combined;

3 Shonin: Merchant
6 Ronin: Mercenary, Masterless Samurai
8 Jonin: High-Ninja

others have honorific titles combined or just simply descriptive words for the job at hand.

The reason why Gaijin is seen as racist is because it's a shortcut of the proper title, slang in other words. You won't find it in the Japanese dictionary as being a proper word.

The way people use this word does differ though. "gaijin" like myself use it sparingly to describe each other, or a service for us. Like "gaijin house" etc. Although if a Japanese person, not in your immediate circle of friends were to use "gaijin" it would be deemed insanely racist. There's a thin line between racism and familiarity, as any black american male could attest.

So basically, Japanese people have no concerns about saying the word to each other, neither do foreigners, but used out of context to formally describe people, to their face or in writing is discrimination and people have even been taken to court over it. (admittedly only by one guy here in japan, he's a kind of racial equality campaigner)

In closing, I can't really understand the logic of a Japanese class system with Gaijin being in there at all, because many "gaijin" came to Japan originally as traders and would therefore be above all classes, not being ruled by Japan but rather their sovereign lands. In addition they would be treated with respect over that of any farmer or simple warrior.


Wow how cultured, explain to me one who is the Vice President of Blue Suits then :)
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Filax_666 on October 19, 2006, 08:32:04 pm
I'm not very fond of the icons either :( There should be some way of changing them.

Also, :y: for having such trouble with something *apparently* secondary. I love you mods ^-^
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Pawige on October 19, 2006, 09:37:30 pm
I agree with Godslayer and Filax, not a big fan of the Onigiris, I can understand making it not a weapon, but something a little less of a shapeless white and green blob would be nice. Perhaps some of those pointy straw peasant hats?
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Lick on October 19, 2006, 09:50:38 pm
What about 10 different kinds of sushi's? That would be sexy.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: ptoing on October 19, 2006, 09:59:24 pm
It would be, BUT we might do something completely different, not japanese.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: snake on October 19, 2006, 10:05:39 pm
What if people could make their own icon in the same way you can upload an avatar.

There is a chance that it's abused, but there haven't been any avatar abuses so far, so it might work.

Just tossing ideas into the air.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Helm on October 19, 2006, 10:07:31 pm
a little 30 pix by 30 pix pic... could work. I'm all for this idea.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Pawige on October 19, 2006, 11:13:40 pm
Here are a few lists I just came up with, the "Pixel" is really optional.

1. Pixel Peasant
2. Pixel Serf
3. Pixel Neophyte
4. Pixel Journeyman
5. Pixel Master
6. Pixel Guru
7. Pixel Sage
8. Pixel Ascendant
9. Pixel Demigod
10. Pixel God

1. Pixel Peasant
2. Pixel Squire
3. Pixel Footman
4. Pixel Horseman
5. Pixel Knight
6. Pixel Paladin
7. Pixel Champion
8. Pixel Hero
9. Pixel Legend
10. Pixel Paradigm

1. Pixel Landlubber
2. Pixel Swabber
3. Pixel Cabin Boy
4. Pixel Crewman
5. Pixel Sea Dog
6. Pixel Buccaneer
7. Pixel Swashbuckler
8. Pixel Corsair
9. Pixel Captain
10. Pixel Admiral of the Black (This one could be just Admiral, though Admiral of the Black is cooler sounding, and it means something!)
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: ptoing on October 20, 2006, 01:07:11 am
The thing with the own picture would require extra forumhacking as it's assigned by membergroups. So that option is more or less out of question.

I kinda would like something more abstract and perhaps regarding pixelling itself. Problem is that pixelling is so lowlevel there is not much of an hierarchy like in 3d for example.

Vertex
Line
Tri
Quad
Cube
Sphere
Torus
Teapot
Lopoly model
Hipoly model

DOing this for pixelart = near impossible imo.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: .TakaM on October 20, 2006, 01:13:36 am
why not just drop the whole thing and allow for personal icons?
I mean the little titles seem kinda silly to me and while the swords look pretty cool Im not feeling the dumplings :P

a couple forums I know used personal icons that were displayed next to their names and would be used as the icons for topics when browsing the forum sections, I thought it was a pretty neat idea and some groups had their own little icons etc
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: ndchristie on October 20, 2006, 01:57:50 am
gotta admit, i <3 the dumplings

as far as the 'racism' .... i've found that if a term seriously offends, regardless of its original intention, it should not be reused.words have very different meanings to different people, and respecting their differences is paramount to establishing a diverse community, so long as the person isnt just trolling.  Speaking of trolling Dogmeat, i'm suprised none of the mods have warned you for that last comment.  What was the purpose of that?
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: hawken on October 20, 2006, 07:16:00 am
The thing with the own picture would require extra forumhacking as it's assigned by membergroups. So that option is more or less out of question.

I kinda would like something more abstract and perhaps regarding pixelling itself. Problem is that pixelling is so lowlevel there is not much of an hierarchy like in 3d for example.

Vertex
Line
Tri
Quad
Cube
Sphere
Torus
Teapot
Lopoly model
Hipoly model

DOing this for pixelart = near impossible imo.

heh, we already did this at the polycount boards  :P I'm a "card carrying polycounter"  :D

I think "spammer" is the top level.

how about colour depth? from highest colour depth for new members, to 1-bit for a post count over 5000? Showing that the more you reduce colours, the better you are? finally reaching the zen like status for ZERO bit, trancending all need for colours entirely?
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Darien on October 21, 2006, 09:35:11 pm
(0,0,0)
(255,0,0)
(0,255,0)
etc
(255,255,255)

Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Xion on October 22, 2006, 04:48:32 am
Pixel
Line
Square
Circle
Tile
Character
Mockup
Scene
Beauty
Masterpiece

???

Actually, I like the ninja ranks. I don't know anything about the Gaijin rank, but could you just replace it with whatever's Japanese for "nobody" or "slave" or something?
I hate the Rice balls/dumplings/whatever the heck they are. I much prefered the stars.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Peppermint Pig on October 23, 2006, 09:18:22 am
Alright, I'm settled on the racism issue. It's being removed.

And, by the way, who was it that proposed Noubu, because I've been unable to confirm that this an actual word in Japanese. If you know better, cite your sources... for now it's being removed.

Here are the replacement ranks:

Gaikokujin > Arate (fresh troops, newcomer, new method)
Noubu > Kikori (Woodsman/Lumberjack)
Shonin > Yokujin (Hunter/Archer)

These titles better reflect and integrate with the militaristic stylization of the system.

I'll leave the onigiri graphic issue with ptoing, since there isn't a clear consensus on it.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Panda on October 23, 2006, 09:37:11 am
Now I'm a samurai hunter. woohoo
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Gunne on October 23, 2006, 10:07:18 am
these are really cool :D
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Wolverine on October 23, 2006, 10:10:15 am
Gaikokujin > Arate (fresh troops, newcomer, new method)
Noubu > Kikori (Woodsman/Lumberjack)
Shonin > Yokujin (Hunter/Archer)


Looks good to me.  I wanna be that third one.
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: hawken on October 24, 2006, 06:36:42 am
Alright, I'm settled on the racism issue. It's being removed.

And, by the way, who was it that proposed Noubu, because I've been unable to confirm that this an actual word in Japanese. If you know better, cite your sources... for now it's being removed.


Quote from: Hawken
how about peasant? (?? "noubu") certainly fits in with your feudal class system. and sounds kinda funny in english too!

lol can't even be bothered to read your own thread  ;)

my sources?  :crazy: I live in Japan

I like those new ones, fit in much more with the military theme  :y:
Title: Re: Postcount Ranks Updated
Post by: Peppermint Pig on October 24, 2006, 07:31:07 am
Sorry hawken, I had a busy morning that day... still, it'd be nice if you could show me a use-case. I could go either way with Noubu or Arate. I'm guessing that Noubu is more suited to use as a title.

Glad you like the updates. Thanks for the feedback everyone.  :)