Your Comments Totals & Your User Title Promotion [Archive]

Technical Support

12-09-2002, 08:39 PM

SECTION 1:

POLICY IN POST COUNTS:

Moderators and Administrators may REDUCE your post counts through Technical Support if there is evidence a member is posting frivolous comments or evidence of deliberately posting multiple comments designed to "pad" the post count.

Other posts are archived from time to time, which may result in a drop in the post count.

We encourage members NOT to think of their post counts, but rather think of their contribution and service to the Private Investigators Community Forums. Your post count and User Title will typically graduate on its own before you notice the recognition of your participation. Custom User Titles must be manually upgraded after the moderators are alerted of the need to promote the member's title.

Recent changes over the years in the method that tabulates the total number of your forum comments, and the resulting promotion of your User Title has taken place. The current User Titles are as follows:

New Member: 0-24 Posts

Associate Forum Member: 25-99 Posts

Forum Member: 100-299 Posts

Sr. Member - Private Investigators Forum: 300-499 Posts.

Distinguished Member - Private Investigators Forum: 500-2499 Posts

Sr. Distinguished Member - Private Investigators Forum: 2500-4999 Posts

Certified Distinguished Member - Private Investigators Forum: 5000 Posts to 14999 Posts

Insignio Distinguished Member - Private Investigators Forum: 15000 - 24999 Posts

Certified Insignio Distinguished Member - Private Investigators Forum: 25000 - 34999 Posts

Provectus Distinguished Member - Private Investigators Forum: 35000 - 44999 Posts

Certified Provectus Distinguished Member - Private Investigators Forum: 45000 - 54999 Posts

Ulterius Distinguished Member - Private Investigators Forum: 55000 - 64999 Posts

Certified Ulterius Distinguished Member - Private Investigators Forum: 65000 - 74999 Posts

Regal Distinguished Member - Private Investigators Forum: 75000 - 84999 Posts

Certified Regal Distinguished Member - Private Investigators Forum: 85000 - 99999 Posts

Honorary Distinguished Member - Private Investigators Forum: 100,000 Posts

If you have a Custom User Title, then adding an additional title from the #4 list above requires a manual upgrade. (To request the manual upgrade, email us using the CONTACT US link (http://www.ipiu.org/forums/sendmessage.php))

Examples of Custom User Titles:

Private Investigator Forum Member
Private Investigator Member
Certified (including any stars (*)
Licensed Private Investigator
Agency Owner
Corporation Owner
Ambassador of Good Will
and Any Other title not mentioned in the #4 list above.

Note:
Your comments and participation now counts on close to 400 forums and private sub-forums.

<HR>

SECTION 2:

COMMENTS DO NOT COUNT for the following....

Mystery Stories, Brain Teasers, Puzzles, and Thinkers Forum

MOVIES, DVDs, & Gifts Forum

Chat Forum

Test Your Forum Skills Forum

Posts that have been moved to Archive

<hr>
As a result of forum member growth the post count requirements have been increased. And I suspect they will go up again now that the Forum Introduction area has opened and many new members are joining us.

Request:
If you have ideas on additional User Titles, please post them here in this topic. We expect to have ten levels in the next six months as posted comments grow.

Julia Ann Stewart

07-05-2003, 01:34 PM

Here's a question regarding post counts.

I have posted a number of replies inside the same thread and all of them show the same number of posts, the number never increased. These posts were made on different days for the most part, a few were made the same day as I was having a converstaion with another member......Why didn't my post count increase ????????
You can check this yourself by clicking on the PROFILE button of any member. Then click on the option Search for all posts by this user. .

The total number of posts for all forums for Level 4 members will show. Subtract the number of what shows as comments from the total, and the difference is probably those few in the non-post count forums.

And before you post a Reply to this Topic, write down your current comment total - then post a Reply. It should increase.

I also see 5 comments posted in the Test Your Forum Writing Skills are - which do not count.
http://ipiu.org/forums/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=53744&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

Diana Declue -

08-09-2003, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by Bryan McManis
Greetings:

I think the use of more titles would benefit the members in more then one way. The first way would encourage members to get involved and post because they will be rewarded for doing so. In addition, it is a natural moral booster. I got more excited over getting my last title change then getting my seal. That really did happen. I was not expecting the seal and it was awesome to be caught off guard when I did receive the seal; however, I knew I was getting close to a title change and was very excited when it did happen.

In closing, there have been many good titles proposed and should be considered for future use.

Sincerely,

I agree. Rewards for posting are more beneficial than upgrading titles. Posting will help improve communication and 'networking' skills which are valuable assets to have - as an investigator of any kind. Posting is exercise for improving your command of the English language!

When I research job postings for Private Investigators, many firms stress proficiency in communication with individuals and the public, report writing, interviewing and procedural/policy documentation. Also, networking allows great exchange of information and adds a personal touch to a global community.

The hardest part of posting that I find so far, is that the threads already contain the answers to most of my questions - I feel that just posting "great job, great advice, etc" is overkill and I want to contribute more (without sounding "preachy") because I value eveything I can learn from others. Then I don't have to learn the hard way!:D

Bryan McManis

08-09-2003, 03:41 PM

Greeting,

Here is another idea to point out concerning posting. This forum forces you to use your typing and writing skills. This is CRITICAL because you MUST have excellent report writing skills. You will be judged by this simple fact more then any other as a PI. You could have the looks and skills of James Bond; but if you have poor writing skills, you are doomed in this type of field.

Something for everyone to think about as you make your posts here in the forums. The reports you turn in (like it or not) will determine if you get another job or keep a client.

Sincerely,

Technical Support

08-30-2003, 09:35 AM

Originally posted by Jeff Creedon
This is very useful info. Now I understand why people have the titles the do. Is there anyone out there thats a Certified Distinguished Member? (5000+ posts)
Kanda Force, Sr Moderator, has had the lead for over a year. She is at 4011 currently. However, every time she gets near the top, our department seems to come up with a higher user title award and raise the post count. ;)

Oddly too, is most of the Administrators have fewer post counts because we are too busy working on the forum software and topics behind-the-scenes - which does not reflect the amount of work we put into the forums in the manner of comments. But that's okay. :)

William Marshall

09-26-2003, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by Felicia Tausig
Thanks, I appreciate the clarification on the posts status lines. I hope to become an Associate Member before the end of the month. It's good to have goals - it helps keep you focused!:cool: I must admit, members with higher comment counts that post quality remarks gain a higher score for our office then trying to imagine a ghost is qualified. Yes, we have had many investigators work for us who have never posted on the forums. But it seems the more recent investigators that have worked for us have high comment counts, as they feel a duty to help others learn what they have experienced.

Josie Ray

05-22-2004, 09:14 AM

Do you have to be a member(paid) to be promoted to higher user titles?
No.

Our firm hires both experienced private investigators and trainees which can be either union members or non-union members. Although our private assignment forum is restricted to Level 4 union members, it is also open to non-union members if they sign up for an available assignment.

But I have seen investigators who have very little post counts here struggle with our final orientation instructions because they cannot navigate the forums or print off the documents or carry on an interactive dialog with our managers. I have seen this with both union members and non-union members who have very low post counts.

On the other hand, the investigators and trainees who have high post counts seem to do a better job at our assignments. We also notice that they communicate better, write better, and are generally more effective in understanding our assignment. They are also more helpful in aiding other investigators who may have low post counts.

Another observation I have seen is the use of multiple paragraphs in posted comments versus posting all of the sentences in one long paragraph. It is annoying to read six or seven sentences containing multiple issues which are all contained in one long paragraph. Forum members should break up their individual issues and ideas into separate paragraphs in their posted comments. (It is much easier for me to visually pick out a key question or comment on a page with several paragraphs than being forced to read through one very long paragraph.

(Somewhere in the forums it has been suggested to avoid the old rule of English which required a minimum of three sentences for each paragraph. The Internet changed that years ago. So if you have a key thought or question or comment that is only one or two sentences, then type it in a separate paragraph regardless of what your English teacher instructed years ago)

Our director has often said, "If you don't use it, you may lose it." And I take that to mean your writing skills, voice, brain, exercise, and a number of items that an investigator needs to retain their success.

PS: If you leave open an extra browser window, you can use the free spell check at http://www.spellcheck.net . It is not as good as using your Microsoft Word spell check, but it is better than nothing when posting your comments on a board where spelling skills are always judged by those who read your comments.

B Ann Craig

06-09-2004, 11:34 PM

Your post is far from being gratuitous or superfluous, and shows just the opposite. As for pushing up your count, I only wish we received counts based on content, accuracy, and value rather then on just posting. For all I know we do. I believe I read somewhere that the substance of our posting is taken into consideration by IPIU staff.
Dabra, your wish is granted. Post counts have always been based on content, accuracy, and the value of the post, as well as the post count number. Empty posts (post with know value at all) are not taken into account. Meaningful posts will count much much more in a member getting ahead on our forum. I hope this will help. Good luck in all you do. ;)

Have a wonderful week. Take care. :)

Brian Samanie -

07-31-2004, 11:06 PM

I have the same question, but I couldn't have expressed myself so clearly. I did not see an answer to this inquiry. Can somone please respond so that we will know. Our post counts help us advance, they give us the privilege to access new forums where we can learn more. They are very important. If somone would respond it would be greatly appreciated.

They did. Your 10th post will not remain marked as "10." It will be equivalent to your latest sum total. So, if your 10th is on Tue and your 20th is on Friday, ALL 20 of your posts will show "20" as your post count, even the Tue post. In other words, they're not numbered in sequential order; they're totalled as you go!
Hope that clarifies.

Irene Keselman -

10-27-2004, 05:23 PM

I am new to this, however, I enjoy following the threads. I find new and interesting things every time I come on. I was just wondering how I am able to keep track of how many posts I have put out. If anyone can help me figure that out it would be great. Thanks alot, Amanda.

Amanda,

In the trop right corner you will find the # of posts you have.

Joseph Spelman

12-11-2004, 02:52 PM

There is a wealth of information ...jut read, read, read, and then when you feel the need or a particular subject hits you strongly...begin your posting replies. Before you realize it, you will have 10, then 20 and so on. The post count will definitely continue to climb. Like some other folks , I don't have a lot of spare time to get online, so I try to make every bit of time count.
Have a great weekend everyone ! ! !
Joseph

Brenda Templin

12-11-2004, 05:37 PM

So what I am getting from the posts here is that you have to have a high post total to move up levels, am I correct?

Drew, you do not need a high post count for the sake of numbers. However, doing a few posts here and there does show your participation. :) Post when you feel you can offer something helpful, ask questions you are unable to find after searching the forums, etc. The count will take care of itself in time. :)

Ruby Garson

12-17-2004, 06:27 PM

Wow, what a wealth of information.
I had no idea how important the writing skills are in this profession. Could someone Please tell me where the grammar and spelling button is?
Thanks for the help, Tim :(

Tim,

That's a good question. I have yet to find them. I could use the grammer button as well. :o

There are a lot of great links in the pages of these forums. I have found them and saved them to my favorites. I now have a Dictionary, Thesaurus and other items on my I.E. page. :p I found a link for a spell checker also, however I have yet to figure out how to get it from my desktop to my I.E. page. :eek: I'm a little slow when it comes to some of this stuff.

Anyway, I just noticed that my title has changed from new member to Associate member. :D It must have been a few posts ago. Keep looking around and you will find what you want. Post when you have something to contribute and pretty soon your title will change also.

<marquee>Have a Great Holiday! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</marquee>

DJ Moran

01-11-2005, 04:38 PM

I feel that one's actual accomplishments should play a part in the upgrading process. Such as assignments completed...or are these already taken into consideration?
Thankyou.
-Jessica Rose O'Bryan

Jessica, Everything, I mean everything, is taken into consideration. The levels which you progress,depend on all you do, not just posting.Continue to read everything that is available to you at the level you are at, then when you move to another level, do the same, all links too. Read, Learn, and Have fun too!!!!!!!!

Michael Harris

01-13-2005, 11:33 AM

Robert,

Well said. You are focusing on the things that matter.

I read hundreds of posts before making my first one. I still read 30-50 posts for everyone I make.

The things that are most important are asking questions and providing support to others. I do some serious research when the mood strikes and I post my results. I have a need to talk and to write; I hope that what I say in the IPIU forums helps someone.

Thomas J Nicol

04-09-2005, 07:16 PM

Members and Guests:

Off topic and non-essential posts have been removed to archive.

Please refrain from posting any of the following types of posts or replies: off-topic, non-essential, personal emails, anything that could be considered as “Questions to be asked in a member's personal Introduction Topic”. This topic is Your Comments Totals & Your User Title Promotion, and is primarily to assist members in understanding what each of these terms mean and how they are used within the IPIU.

Please read the posts left in place. The information should instruct you on the Topic.

You may post to each other in the level 4 Chit Chat thread, or the Chat Forum (http://www.ipiu.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=251).

Other questions and comments may be posted from within your own Introduction Topics, where Forum Trainers and Moderators can best direct you and answer your questions.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mike Bower

09-01-2005, 08:53 PM

I'm new here, about 2 weeks now. I do agree with what as been said here. I read alot of the posts, but do not always feel compelled to post a comment.
What I'm doing is learning about this field and as it has been said over and over, read, read and read, so I read and I'm learning something new everyday. Today I've learned about the post numbers. Am I worried or care how many post I get today, no, but I do care if I learned something new, which I have.
I myself don't use spell check, not that I have anything against it, I just prefer to look the word up in my spell dictionary that I keep on my desk. I also have a Thesaurus.
My opinion is whatever you use is up to you, whats important is that continue to read and hopefully if you post, you make a contribution, so as other members may benefit from you and from the replies.

Christopher Denham -

04-25-2006, 08:37 PM

Oddly too, is most of the Administrators have fewer post counts because we are too busy working on the forum software and topics behind-the-scenes - which does not reflect the amount of work we put into the forums in the manner of comments. But that's okay. :)

Someone has to keep this site up and running:D If not for people like you, then how would members be able to network and help each other learn and grow as professionals?

Thanks for your hard work.

Robert M Flores

05-01-2006, 08:20 AM

I see by the posting criteria that new commers should post 0-24 posts, but every where I have been states 30. I am assuming this was a change someplace that I have yet to get to. If this is true, have there been any other changes that affect how many posts a new member needs and additional posts that do or do not count?

Bobby McCuller

05-10-2006, 10:47 PM

J Ginsberg -

06-27-2006, 02:26 PM

Custom User Titles, such as Moderator, or Licensed Agency Owner, or certain stars (**) in the title require a manual upgrade. To request the manual upgrade, email us using the CONTACT US link at the bottom of any forum page.

Hello. I guess my User Title needed to be manually upgraded. I noticed that my post count was enough for another upgrade but I had to request the manual upgrade. Thank you!

Cynthia Brower -

01-04-2007, 08:57 AM

Here's a link to the official site for Social Security. It gives a list of the SS # Allocations. Very helpful.

http://www.ssa.gov/employer/stateweb.htm

John Armes --

01-04-2007, 03:11 PM

I believe that if you respond to a post, you should be adding or discussing the information that you receive, and not just saying yes I agree... There should be some kind of information in your post that has some view or add information that gives it value... Not just upping your numbers... A title won't change who you are or what you know, but should be a reflection of what you learn. There is a lot of value that can be obtained from these pages, but you learn from listening (and reading) and not comenting. This is what will make a differance. It is what you do with the information that will make a differance... Good luck to everyone...

Jerry Furline

02-02-2007, 04:17 AM

It was interesting reading this forum.Up to now I was confused by the multiple titles of the various members. Now all is clear and i understand the posting system much better. Thanks

George Powell

05-03-2007, 05:37 AM

I greatly appreciate the help in knowlege everyone is putting out there.This is the best forum I have found in a long time.I am so glad that the whole posting count has been cleared up somewhat

Luke A Slowik

07-29-2007, 11:26 PM

A Good user title, Free Investigate Tips Like Example:

The first the digits of a persons Social Security Number indicate what state or territory the person or subject resided in when they applied for their Social Security card.

Ex:
001 - 003 New Hampshire
004 - 007 Maine
008 - 009 Vermont
010 - 034 Massachusetts
035 -039 Rhode Island
040 - 049 Connecticut
050 -134 New York
135 -158 New Jersey
159 - 211 Pennsylvania

I have the whole list for all 48 states.If there is some in the office ask them what is their first three digits of their ss# and you can tell them what state it was issued.

Bobby McCuller Sr.
IPIU Member

Wow. To be honest I really didn't get the fact that the amount of posting you do affects titles, grades, etc. After reading every post and reply I better have a jist of the system. I also learned something really interesting regrading the ss# and the correlation it has with your state. Thanks for all of your contributions.:)

Eric Catron

09-04-2007, 08:08 PM

POLICY IN POST COUNTS:

[ Honorary Distinguished Member - Private Investigators Forum: 100,000 Posts

.

I couldnt imagine this many posts I believe for certain the keys would be worn off my laptop by then.

What is the highest post count to date?

Eric

Carmen Acai

09-04-2007, 08:21 PM

I couldnt imagine this many posts I believe for certain the keys would be worn off my laptop by then.

What is the highest post count to date?

EricCheck in here: http://www.ipiu.org/forums/showthread.php?t=26559

Dan MacPhee

09-05-2007, 01:11 PM

Thanks for the clarification on post counts and the info social security numbers.

Myra Price

10-31-2007, 10:48 PM

I am really putting my investigative skills to use today because I came to the right place. I wanted to know how posts are gauged in terms of appointing an appropriate title. The answer was very helpful.

Myra D. Price

Kaitlyn Jolly

12-09-2007, 01:20 PM

I didn't realize the title process either, this clears up any advancement questions I may have had.

Edwin I Bumbaco

03-14-2008, 11:54 PM

Thank You,I have read this site.

Gena Pappas

05-12-2008, 11:19 AM

Thanks Cynthia for that link to the SS#'s..I found it very interesting and informative. I had no idea. It seems like the more I explore in IPIU, the more I find. There is so much information that I never thought existed. As I explore, through here I learn more and more. I also want to commend all of the Moderators and Advisors...you are doing such a great job and alot of work. Just to keep up with everything that we need to know and with everyone has got to be overwhelming....but I'm sure exhilerating and rewarding. Keep up the good work.! i really appreciate it, as I'm sure everyone else does.

Jonathan Sherman -

05-14-2008, 11:26 AM

Very helpful info. Thanks.

Douglas A. Roehrig -

06-18-2008, 04:15 AM

Thank you Cynthia for a great link and or research tool. I haven't gone through the entire SS website as of yet, but is there a breakdown as well for the last four numbers or any meaning to the middle two?

Bobby Jo Davenport

06-18-2008, 07:57 AM

Thanks for the help on the clarification of post counts the info helped
Bobby Jo Davenport
Badge#11575

Karen Rulla

09-30-2008, 11:58 AM

Here's a link to the official site for Social Security. It gives a list of the SS # Allocations. Very helpful.

http://www.ssa.gov/employer/stateweb.htm

Thank you for this information. I have searched for this in the past as someone had told me about having a list such as this. This is going to be very helpful in the future. Thank you again
Karen Rulla
Badge 11571

Michael Harris

09-30-2008, 01:23 PM

Karen,

I have always found this useful. I use it during loan signings (I am a Certified Notary Signing Agent) when I have suspicions about the signer. I also have a guide (updated every year) on drivers licenses for all the US states and Canadian provinces. Who would have thought that some states would issue a drivers license that is good for 35 years?

David Turner

10-06-2008, 02:05 AM

I've read quite a few posts and noticed the dates of the posts. My question is, if I find a post that I would like to respond to, but the date is lets say, 2003, should I respond there?

John Sanderson

03-11-2009, 05:36 PM

I have more then 300 posts, but my title hasn't changed.
What do I do?

John Sanderson

03-11-2009, 05:40 PM

I've read quite a few posts and noticed the dates of the posts. My question is, if I find a post that I would like to respond to, but the date is lets say, 2003, should I respond there?
David,

Absolutely!

I brouse old posts all the time looking for new responses, and I'm sure others do too.

John Sanderson

Donna Reagan

03-12-2009, 10:32 AM

I have more then 300 posts, but my title hasn't changed.
What do I do?

Read #5 in Post #2 of this topic.

(I made the change)

John Sanderson

03-12-2009, 12:34 PM

HA! I'm a 27 yer old Sr! lol

admin

03-12-2009, 12:48 PM

HA! I'm a 27 yer old Sr! lol

You very much deserve the new title, John. Thank you for your participation.

Cheers,

John Sanderson

03-12-2009, 01:46 PM

Cheers!

Sherry Fowler

07-31-2009, 06:27 PM

It's very helpful reading all of these threads and replies for learning how 'comments totals' and 'user title promotions' are determined. I have a lot more learning to do, but that in itself is exciting when trying to learn a new profession!

Liz Mason

09-23-2009, 09:07 AM

Wow, I had no idea that people were so concerned with titles and post counts. I fo one did not join this forum to gain a title or any such. You guys are serious about this, wow.

I joined here because I want to get back into the PI race, notice I did not say (rat)!! I love what I do and I am comfortable being able to call myself a PI. I have taken the training and utilized some of my talents, but now I have been out of it for so long and I miss it.

Keep me at the bottom of the totem pole if you so desire, but afford me the opportunity to progress full speed ahead in the field. I love this kind of career and would not trade it for any other at any time.

This is one of the most rewarding careers that I personally feel can make a person take the time to stop and smell the roses and actually smell and see them.

John Sanderson

09-23-2009, 11:23 PM

Liz,

I take titles seriously not necessarily for the name, but because of what it signifies. To me, it signifies a member's participation and desire to succeed in this field.

Liz Mason

09-24-2009, 01:28 AM

John Sanderson

09-24-2009, 02:08 AM

Liz,

I felt no disrespect whatsoever, nor do I find reason for anyone else to. I saw your post and offered my opinion for your consideration. You're doing fine.

Yes, posting does add to your reputation in some ways, and aid potential employers in selecting members. Keep in mind that the number of posts are judged equally to their quality as well, in my case anyway. Both of which as far as I'm concerned, you do quite well.

Mark Silva

11-02-2009, 07:57 PM

Rather interesting.

Carl DeLancey

11-02-2009, 08:16 PM

Rather interesting.
:confused:I had a big novel on this matter but, Mark put it the best way.:confused:

Karen Rulla

11-04-2009, 06:04 PM

I found all of your comments interesting and important to each person that has responded. Making it in the PI business isn't that easy in the Omaha, NE area therefore I continue to learn in hopes of improving myself in this line of work. So I want to give each and every one of you a big THANKS.

Cynthia Cooper

11-05-2009, 02:25 PM

This is some good information. Helps me when I do interviews to see who is local and who thinks they are local. Thanks. Cynthia

Bobby Jo Davenport

03-14-2010, 10:34 PM

Hello im sure it works
Bobby Jo
Badge # 11575

John Sanderson

09-08-2010, 03:27 AM

Are either of the following possible?

Is it possible to convert my title area back to the old version I had before purchasing the Lifetime Membership and remove the lifetime avatar?

Or

Is it possible to replace the Lifetime avatar with my company logo?

Stephen Douglass

02-17-2011, 02:55 PM

I never put a whole lot of stock into titles at the end of some names, including my own.

if you get it wrong, no one noticed accept the one who has the title. Unless I am mistaken for LEO, which does happen, even among LEO's I deal with, I don't bother to correct them any more, get the information I'm looking for then move on. That is the way I had alway's thought it out, until a movie came along which an FBI agent was called.... agent.

The reply was beautiful:
"Excuse me?? Please note(paraphrasing) that their is SPECIAL in front of agent. That's because I am special. It means I'm smart, So smart in fact that I make smart people feel retarded when I walk into a room."

They never got Special Agent Whoever's title wrong again! Sometimes officially it's a big deal, other times not. I personally never noticed anything around my name or title beyond the fact that I didn't have to correct it's spelling.

Now about that wreath looking thing?
Stephen Jenius Douglass

Bill Williams

02-17-2011, 04:48 PM

... an FBI agent was called.... agent.

The reply was beautiful:
"Excuse me?? Please note(paraphrasing) that their is SPECIAL in front of agent. That's because I am special. It means I'm smart, So smart in fact that I make smart people feel retarded when I walk into a room."

They never got Special Agent Whoever's title wrong again! Sometimes officially it's a big deal, other times not.
The title "Special Agent" is usually the title for a detective or investigator for a local city, county, state, federal, or tribal government.

See this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_agent

John Sanderson

02-17-2011, 06:41 PM

The titles as mentioned in this thread actually have more meaning then a position. However, it's not the titles that impress me, it's the number of posts.

Why?

If a member has been here for an entire year, but has only logged 5 posts, I would assume they are either not active, or not serious about learning our trade. In hindsight, there are some very skilled and incredibly talented professionals who don't post because they like to stay in the shadows and are used to observing only.

With Bill being a former federal agent, I bet he has little need for training and posts only when he feels necessary. Most federal agents don't like to announce their presence, unless their interviewing someone, kicking in a door or handcuffing someone.

At times, I advertise my agency for the purpose of getting work for a new member who has shown they're dedicated and shows by posting on the forums that they are not only learning, but trying to get work as well as following the advice of the admins and members.

"Excuse me?? Please note(paraphrasing) that their is SPECIAL in front of agent. That's because I am special. It means I'm smart, So smart in fact that I make smart people feel retarded when I walk into a room."

I think I'm going to change my title to Special Investigator! lol

But poking fun at federal agents is not something I wouldn't do, although perhaps Bill found some humor in the quote above. Most have hard jobs, working to their mental and physical limits to protect our constitution and country from the inside.

Stephen Douglass

02-19-2011, 10:42 PM

I think I'm going to change my title to Special Investigator! lol

But poking fun at federal agents is not something I wouldn't do, although perhaps Bill found some humor in the quote above. Most have hard jobs, working to their mental and physical limits to protect our constitution and country from the inside.

Believe me, in the short time I've come to know you john, we know you're SPECIAL. There is no real need to tag it on your chest in reflective yellow tape ( laughing too hard).
Seriously now, I too have some close friends that are Federal Agents, some are more special than others. see me in chat room and I'll relate a good one to you. I was just pointing to what you had already stated and I dropped it from the quote. Some people just aren't able to, or may not need to post as often as others. I've read almost every post, thread and instruction from level 1 to now, level 4 ( ok, that's a lie, I've down loaded about 10 from level 4) and have only posted to about 30-50, some with real meaning, some without. I'll admit that I have an edge, if be it a small one, having grown up in the legal and LEO community. Some thing's are common sense and some things I've learned along the way. what makes this org. so nice is that an individual can grow at the pace they NEED to. Hope that sounded the way it was intended.
Self imposed Special agent of Santa's other list...
Stephen Douglass

Stephen Douglass

02-19-2011, 10:53 PM

Mr Williams,
After clicking on your wikipidia link you provided, what can I say. With SO many special investigators, agents, and detectives wandering around. When every one is special......
I applaud the things these agents do, please don't miss read what I'm writing. I'll pay for this within the family forsure.

Stephen Douglass

09-19-2011, 08:26 AM

The title "Special Agent" is usually the title for a detective or investigator for a local city, county, state, federal, or tribal government.

See this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_agent

In re-reading this thread I couldn't help but notice Bill, that you left "Special" off of "(Former Federal Agent)".
Just sayin......
Stephen

Kyle Guzman

10-13-2011, 12:53 AM

What can I do to make sure my post are legit posts and are counting towards my ultimate count? I have read through many post and forums, yet I am new and still very unfamiliar with navigating through everything. If I am to increase my comments count and become an efficient member of the IPIU what is the best approach? Also I don't want find myself off topic. Is there anything I can do to become more familiar with the forums faster?

Thanks everyone!;)

Tammy Schmitt

10-13-2011, 01:25 AM

What can I do to make sure my post are legit posts and are counting towards my ultimate count? Enjoy the journey and don't worry about post counts. Your post count will increase as you learn and participate more.

If I am to increase my comments count and become an efficient member of the IPIU what is the best approach?
Your Home Base is here:
http://www.ipiu.org/forums/showthread.php?38359-Kyle-Guzman&p=524423#post524423

In the above link, David gave you the most important short-cut links to navigate to. Make it a study. Should you join IPIU as a paid member, then you will have much more access to explore and benefit from.

Also I don't want find myself off topic.
Make sure that whatever the "name" of the topic thread you are reading is what you are about to post a comment on. If you cannot locate a topic, then ask in your Home Base topic link.

Is there anything I can do to become more familiar with the forums faster?

Go to www.ipiu.org/forums
Start clicking on any forums and sub forums you have access to, and explore how topics and forums are organized (like a filing cabinet).

Kyle Guzman

10-13-2011, 10:44 AM

Kyle Guzman

10-13-2011, 11:04 AM

John,

I meant no disrespect, believe me. I was not aware that the posting actually moved you up, changed your status etc. I take whatever I read and respond to very seriously and try to be as honest and open as I can.

Thanks for the feedback and know that I am here to learn, listen and do.

I think in my case, a new member and aspiring PI, you see all the talk about comment count and you can't help but be intrigued. However, I haven't really thought about the titles themselves. In fact, I don't even know the ranking of the titles, yet. I have more or less been concerned with trying to be a bigger part of the IPIU community, establishing myself in the union as a qualified responder and participant of this software. But being someone who has less than 10 posts I have a ways to go. I have read through many post and I have seen a few veterans claiming that it isn't too useful to be concerned too much with your ultimate count anyhow. That seems like pretty decent advice.

;) Have a good day all!

Petra Post

10-13-2011, 11:20 AM

I think in my case, a new member and aspiring PI, you see all the talk about comment count and you can't help but be intrigued. However, I haven't really thought about the titles themselves. In fact, I don't even know the ranking of the titles, yet. I have more or less been concerned with trying to be a bigger part of the IPIU community, establishing myself in the union as a qualified responder and participant of this software. But being someone who has less than 10 posts I have a ways to go. I have read through many post and I have seen a few veterans claiming that it isn't too useful to be concerned too much with your ultimate count anyhow. That seems like pretty decent advice.

;) Have a good day all!
Kyle,

No worries:) Looks like you're going into the right direction already. By participating in the forums, i.e. posting yourself, you will find out many things... one is that the more you get involved, the more you will post, the more you will learn and others also learn from you. Bingo... that's it:) The only places that your post count is not going up, is places that have nothing to do with 'studying' the PI business, i.e. chats, movie forums, anything leasure. All other areas (as part of our training) are counting.

Like Tammy told you in her last post, see your intro topic and there you can ask questions, that you may not find an answer to (yet) on your own. Somebody will drop by there and point you into the right direction. Take care.

Stephen Douglass

10-13-2011, 03:05 PM

Thank you very much for addressing my concerns, especially individually. One more thing; I am very new, as you are aware, and I am also very new to the world of investigations. So, how am I to comment on others posts when I clearly am a novice and I don't have much advice to offer? Helping others discover what IPIU is all about seems to be mainly where posts come from.

Thanks again Tammy

You are already on the right path. Many people post to what they know in and out of the investigatory field.
The job title is unique in that it draws experiences from all possible walks of life, job titles, and knowledge bases.

The more you read, you may find that you do in fact have a tidbit of information to draw from as related to knowledge, both acquired and general. It is also through reading these posts, items on your own such as books, articles, and other sources, that you begin to digest and store that information for use at another time.

As Tammy stated earlier, reading and "making a study" of what you have in front of you is far more important than posting a reply or comment. These will come in time, and before you know it some one will be congratulating you on achieving "Distinguished" under your name.

Asking questions is an excellent start. My father used to say: The only dumb question is the one you should have asked but didn't (dumb being the inability to utilize speech).

Ronald Adams

02-04-2012, 07:12 PM

This explains part of the reason why my post count will only go to 23 and drops back to 18.

Bobby McCuller

02-04-2012, 07:39 PM

Thanks for all the Pointers.I've had some great success using information on these forums.

Cynthia Ford

02-04-2012, 08:59 PM

Moderators and Administrators may REDUCE your post counts through Technical Support if there is evidence a member is posting frivolous comments or evidence of deliberately posting multiple comments designed to "pad" the post count.

Sometimes members think they are contributing to a topic of discussion when they post "Thank you for the great idea" in several topics.

It goes without saying that our members are generally thankful for good topics, and we certainly encourage members to post their thanks. But in posting "thanks", we must ask that the majority of the thankful posts contribute something else to that specific topic.

Think how you would respond in a living room of conversation among your best friends and some new guests, and then write what you would say. Expand on the topic of discussion about what you feel, and what you can imagine, and how you can contribute. If you are a shy person, then think how a shy person would contribute to a conversation, without just saying "thank you for the great idea" whenever something is mentioned.

We all need to be better listeners and better contributors.

Conversation is like a tennis game, someone serves the ball, and someone returns the ball, and then someone returns that ball, and so on. Imagine how a tennis game would be if only one personal was serving balls all day long without giving their opponent time to engage in hitting a return ball?