I was here when the DBB went from shareware UBB to registered (at least, I think that's what it was--maybe it was an upgrade), and with that change came the ability to upload an avatar and to achieve ranks based on postcount. I violently opposed both things at the time, seeing them as fluff that detracted from serious discussion. I especially opposed ranks, thinking that they rewarded the wrong thing, encouraging spam and half-baked posts.
I did eventually break down and upload an avatar, and have even come around to seeing their usefulness. And by the time the change occured, I already had the needed number of posts (what was it, 35?) to become a DBB Ace. But I swore thereafter that I would always be one--500 posts should be enough to last surely longer than I would stay on the DBB, if I posted well. I have always been very proud of how much I have been able to say and accomplish in few posts (not many), and I believed that regaurding posts as something of value, that I had a limited number of, improved the quality of my writing.
The DBB has changed a lot since then. I've changed a lot, too, and my standards of posting have certainly loosened enough that I've allowed myself to post the occasional "LOL" or "Thanks.
" Just the same, I've always secretly seen my "DBB Ace" as a badge of pride, and worked to keep it up. Suddenly seeing it roll over to Captain as I was posting in E&C this afternoon triggered feelings of nostalgia, and almost made me feel as if I'd used up all my posts and should retire. Silly, I know--old convictions are hard to shake. Anyway, it makes me think back over the history of the DBB, and how much both it and I have changed since ranks were introduced. I remember the Descent discussion and stories and jokes, the drama and politics, people jostling for authority. And then I remember the board drifting away from Descent a bit, the PG-13 rating sliding downhill a bit... I've left and returned so many times over the years, thinking this wasn't a place I wanted to be. And then I came back once and found that the board had changed so much that it had become something totally different--and now I love the rough and tumble discussion, the broad diversity, and the old friendships.
The DBB as it was when it added ranks doesn't exist anymore, and I'm not the same person who so violently objected to them. But the changing ranks make me look back and see where I've been and all that's gone on, and makes me smile. I've learned so much--about different people, about how to think and how to write--and I've taught so much. It's truly been wonderful, and I doubt I'll permanently leave the DBB until it changes again (you know--nothing lasts). And though Young Drakona swore she'd never use the full 500 posts, I think she'd be astonished and proud of the way I've used them.
