- The idea of counsellors was created to help new or casual forum members who might not want or be able to spend the time figuring out whose advice is worth following. From what I've seen, new members are generally very grateful for the help they get, and use the blue names as a guide. The counsellors idea is working for the most part. Old regulars don't care. For them all the names are gray.
- None of the original counsellors made any effort to join. They were drafted in to the position, by unanimous decision of the people involved in that thread, based entirely on their knowledge. There was no code of conduct in place. They weren't asked to change at all.
- While tone is less important than knowledge, obviously there are some limits. If a counsellor were to repeatedly call someone "moron" while giving good advice, I think that would be over the line. On the other hand, a certain amount of natural pride arises in someone who is very experienced and skilled at something, so some condescension is inevitable. Also, with no facial expressions or voice timbre, it's hard to know where someone is really coming from.
- People have skins of differing thicknesses. Some react aggressively to things others are unaffected by. We can't please everyone all the time. And some acid is definitely desirable, and definitely much better than a big group hug session where nobody learns anything. Not long ago a new member asked for something to be done about a mean tone in a post from I think mikee or crate. I looked at the thread and let it go, telling the guy he had to roll with the punches. I think he left.
- We don't have to use colored names. The forum software lets us set avatars and rank titles as well as colors for a group. A mixture is possible - minmay could be blue but have the title "Counsellor (disputed)" or something.
I am open to ideas.
So:
1. Regarding minmay: If there are strong feelings we'd probably have to put it to a formal public poll. At the end of the day I think counsellorhood should be a community choice, barring strong exceptions.
2. Regarding nago: Any votes against? Any more for?
3. Regarding Psieye: He's offered to resign his counsellorship. Any opposed? Other views?