Well, it's been almost a day since I posted the new ranking system, as well as all the new graphics.

My feeling is ...WOW.

I had no idea that I would have such an emotional feeling attached to the new ratings and graphics.  For me, it's as if the forums are brand-new again, with lots of new things to discover again.

Does that sound wacky?  I hope not.

Normally when I post something new, like a new feature or page, it's a feeling of relief that another weight (out of a long list of weights) has been lifted, and I can move on to the next thing.  With this, it's completely different.  I actually find myself sitting back, paging through the forums, just to gaze at everything.

I am astounded at just how "right" the ratings have turned out.  I think maybe the good feeling I get looking at the ratings comes from the fact that it was something I brainstormed myself, and so when when I put it in place and it worked beautifully, there was some kind of visual confirmation of, "now that was a good idea".

With something like a forum web site, there are something like 10 billion web sites out there, so almost every idea has already been thought of by somebody.  But there are a few times (like this) where I think I've actually come up with something new.

Is this a nauseating post?  Well, it's my blog, so I'm allowed!

I think one of the things that makes this ratings system work, where it may not work on most other forums, is the fact that Lottery Post has been around so long, and has so much data and content.  For a site that has not been around so long, or doesn't have many posts or members, it would not be able to create a nice distribution of ratings.

There are a few other adjustments that I'll make to the appearance of the member "badges" on the left side if posts, but nothing too substantial.

At last, a new feature that I can truly enjoy myself.  Life can be good sometimes.