Seperating beginners from the rest.

[Maneko]

If its invisible, then begginers wouldn't work harder to become Experts because they wouldn't even know about it.

If I was a begginer and I saw an exclusive forum, I would want to work harder and become a better spriter to be a part of that super-group.

I don't know. If I were a begginer spriter and I heard of an exclusive forum section for expert spriters, I would feel motivated to work harder so I could earn a place on it, actually. But again, people can react different so I understand your point.

Still, in my opinion, keeping the "expert" forum hidden would be the best way to prevent non-spriters from going and spamming it with their hollow comments and "wise" advice. I mean, if they are so "wise" as they claim to, then why they aren't making and posting awesome sprites of their own?

Regarding how to classify begginers, middle and expert spriters, you guys could ask the local experts to donate a few of their best sprites and use them to form a list of examples:
- In the bottom of the pile you could put generic bad sprites, aka recolors, minor edits, head/limb swaps, weapons and "powers" pasted on top a game sprite, etc.
- In the middle you could put advanced edits (you still can figure the original base) and things like that.
- On the top of the list you can put the best sprites made by the best guys you have around, aka greatly done scratch made sprites and unique material like that.

Whenever a newcomer appears, a quick check to that list of examples should be enough to make him understand to which category he belongs, and later he can use the same list to check his own progress to see if he is still at the same level or if he is ready to go up a level. That way you can save a lot of headaches and explanations, since these examples would also destroy any excuse or manipulation attempt on the spot. (I can't imagine a guy dumb enough as to compare his neon green Sonic recolor with let's say, one of these Custom Sonic sprites you have in the main page and pretend he's at the same level as these guys.)

I know that no matter what you do, people will still bitch, flame and try to manipulate for attention, but I suppose that this way, you will leave them with less room to do any of that.

[Koopaul]

No, I mean keep it viewable to begginers but don't allow them to post in it.

They'll be able to see what an expert's work looks like, without bothering them. We're not only a goal for begginers, but an example as well.

[Maneko]

Oh. Well, I like that idea better than mine then.
The important thing is to not allow non spriters to go and spam the board with useless posts and your idea works fine, yes.

[Torres.]

How would we differentiate good and bad spriter? It would take a long time for the mods and admins to classing who is begginer and who is expert and blocking forums to them and then doing that for every user. And think of the protest that would bring, people saying they deserve this blah blah blah.

[Zora_Link_ 621]

yeah, i get that. but the sprite discussion shouldn't have this seperation. I mean, even i can tell if u should add/remove 2-3 pixels to his face.

[DioShiba]

No, I mean keep it viewable to begginers but don't allow them to post in it.

They'll be able to see what an expert's work looks like, without bothering them. We're not only a goal for begginers, but an example as well.

or just not allow them to make topics and still let them post there criticism if they have a certain post cap, true that most members maybe new at spriting, but some of those members that are new here may actually be experienced spriters that actually know what there criticizing.

just saying

[Torres.]

How would we differentiate good and bad spriter? It would take a long time for the mods and admins to classing who is begginer and who is expert and blocking forums to them and then doing that for every user. And think of the protest that would bring, people saying they deserve this blah blah blah.

ummm....how would mods feel bout this??? think about them.

[Glace Leau]

I don't mind the idea but I'd be upset if the experienced forum was hidden. I'm a shy, lurking type. I come here because I love to see WIPs and the process of creating a sprite, which you don't find at places like Pixeljoint. I love looking at sprites but don't have a lot of time to spend on them myself... so I'm not allowed to see half of what's posted?

[Ultimecia]

Not to mention it would be "elitist" to make the expert forum hidden. Some newbies are already bashed (granted, some need them), but creating an invisible expert board isn't going to create a "clubhouse" or something?
I think if you want to create one expert board, then make it read-only for non-expert spriters, or only expert spriters can create new topics.
Or even create one Intermediate session, so it would be like this:

Beginner - Basic recolors/changes. Learning level. Everyone can create topics (post sprites) and comment
Intermediate - A bit more complex edit and some brand new creations. Intermediate users can create topics (maybe Experts too?) and everyone can reply
Expert - Over-the-mill sprites and sheets. Only experts can create topic, experts and intermediates can reply and beginners can read.

To decide which users are beginners, intermediates or experts, maybe there should be two ways: one is having the Sprite Discussion mods and the admins to promote. Another is to have a topic to have popular votes. The ones with more votes in a month or a pretty good amount of votes from different users in a handful months are going to be promoted.

[GrooveMan.exe]

You're overcomplicating this. There's no real reason that we'd need to restrict postng rights or board visibility, the majority of people posting will have the common sense and modesty to realise what board they'd need to post in.

[Shroob2]

While I'm sure that's the most practical idea, it's just waiting for some ego-stricken noob to post some .JPG'd Sonic recolor or something in the expert section.

[GrooveMan.exe]

Which is easy enough to move.

I end up shunting threads around every day. Ain't no thang.

[mozzy]

Is this board up yet, or am I just not seeing it?

[Dazz]

It's not up yet. I'm kind of waiting for a final decision...

[Ultimecia]

It's not up yet. I'm kind of waiting for a final decision...

4 pages now, I'm guessing it isn't going to over anytime soon unless somebody really steps down.