Member status

[AnimalToyForum]

The ATF is using default categories for member status based on number of posts (Newbie, Jr. member, full member, etc). However, I can change this. For example, on the DTF we added a fun element whereby members travel through geological time: http://dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=5034.msg166648#msg166648

Could we do something similar on the ATF?

[bmathison1972]

You could do something evolutionary:

1. Eubacteria
2. Protozoa
3. Cnidarians
4. Platyhelminths
5. Echinoderms
6. Arthropoda
7. Hemichordata
8. Chondrichthyes....

etc etc etc, finishing with Mammals or Primates.

I know evolution is a tree not a train but still, could be fun.

[AnimalToyForum]

You could do something evolutionary:

1. Eubacteria
2. Protozoa
3. Cnidarians
4. Platyhelminths
5. Echinoderms
6. Arthropoda
7. Hemichordata
8. Chondrichthyes....

etc etc etc, finishing with Mammals or Primates.

I know evolution is a tree not a train but still, could be fun.

That's a great idea! Sure, it might misrepresent evolution, but it is pragmatic. Let's settle on a list and I'll make it so. Can we use common names (or representatives of clades) so it isn't too obscure? Some members might not be familiar with scientific classification? I know it will be even more misleading, but something like...

Single-celled life form
Sponge
Jellyfish
Coral
Flatworm
Starfish
Crustacean
Insect
Primitive vertebrate
Cartilaginous fish
Bony fish
Amphibian
Reptile
Bird
Mammal

[sbell]

You could do something evolutionary:

1. Eubacteria
2. Protozoa
3. Cnidarians
4. Platyhelminths
5. Echinoderms
6. Arthropoda
7. Hemichordata
8. Chondrichthyes....

etc etc etc, finishing with Mammals or Primates.

I know evolution is a tree not a train but still, could be fun.

That's a great idea! Sure, it might misrepresent evolution, but it is pragmatic. Let's settle on a list and I'll make it so. Can we use common names (or representatives of clades) so it isn't too obscure? Some members might not be familiar with scientific classification? I know it will be even more misleading, but something like...

Single-celled life form
Sponge
Jellyfish
Coral
Flatworm
Starfish
Crustacean
Insect
Primitive vertebrate
Cartilaginous fish
Bony fish
Amphibian
Reptile
Bird
Mammal

You need to at least split Bony fish into Lobefins and Ray-fins.

And probably Cladistians. They are the most important fish group.

Single-celled life form
Sponge
Jellyfish
Coral
Flatworm
Starfish
Crustacean
Insect
Primitive vertebrate
Cartilaginous fish
              -> Cladistian
Bony fish -> Ray Fin Fish
              -> Lobe-fin Fish
Amphibian
Reptile
Bird
Mammal

Although I'm sure Solomon David would disagree with my assessment...!

[AnimalToyForum]

You could do something evolutionary:

1. Eubacteria
2. Protozoa
3. Cnidarians
4. Platyhelminths
5. Echinoderms
6. Arthropoda
7. Hemichordata
8. Chondrichthyes....

etc etc etc, finishing with Mammals or Primates.

I know evolution is a tree not a train but still, could be fun.

That's a great idea! Sure, it might misrepresent evolution, but it is pragmatic. Let's settle on a list and I'll make it so. Can we use common names (or representatives of clades) so it isn't too obscure? Some members might not be familiar with scientific classification? I know it will be even more misleading, but something like...

Single-celled life form
Sponge
Jellyfish
Coral
Flatworm
Starfish
Crustacean
Insect
Primitive vertebrate
Cartilaginous fish
Bony fish
Amphibian
Reptile
Bird
Mammal

You need to at least split Bony fish into Lobefins and Ray-fins.

And probably Cladistians. They are the most important fish group.

Single-celled life form
Sponge
Jellyfish
Coral
Flatworm
Starfish
Crustacean
Insect
Primitive vertebrate
Cartilaginous fish
              -> Cladistian
Bony fish -> Ray Fin Fish
              -> Lobe-fin Fish
Amphibian
Reptile
Bird
Mammal

Although I'm sure Solomon David would disagree with my assessment...!

I don't know, we don't want to get too complicated do we?

[bmathison1972]

I agree, the splitting of the bony fish prob isn't necessary (and would require the addition of many more invert groups ;-) )

[Cachalot]

It looks like this concept died on the vine.  Are you going to go ahead with it?  It would be an improvement over the current user titles.

[AnimalToyForum]

I haven't given up on this yet – just need to find the time to implement it. Same with the 2021 title banner, at this rate it will be next year by the time I do that (but @bmathison1972 I haven't forgotten). This year continues to be very busy for me with work, life, and regretfully death, but I'm hoping things will calm down in a week or two.

[Cachalot]

I hear you.  Death has hit close to home for me this year too.