SQLA Announcement: Relaxed reputation requirements are now in effect

[Breck_Carter]

Apparently "Beta 6" of the StackExchange software used for this website (SQLA) is now in effect, and one of the new features is called the "Bootstrap Mode" where reputation points aren't quite as necessary for new SQLA users... in other words, new users can actually get something done right away.

Bootstrap Mode makes a lot of sense for the SQLA community, and it will probably be left on permanently.

The full description of Bootstrap Mode appears below. I hope it's working as advertised, maybe a new user can tell me if that's the case.

Oh, and another (apparent) new feature: "Email/Password Authentication" in addition to that insanely-confusing-and-error-prone OpenID stuff. I've enabled Email/Password Authentication as well as Bootstrap Mode... someone please tell me if it makes a difference.

For more information about StackExchange Beta 6 see http://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/3793/whats-new-in-beta-6

StackExchange Beta 7 is "coming soon"... it's the version that is expected to have the "database export" facility, also known as "end-user backup"... without the ability for us (i.e., me) to back up the question-and-answer content stored in SQLA, this website ain't never gonna go "live".

Just so you know... Ma.gnolia.com this ain't <g>

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Bootstrap Mode helps to shape the community before the site is released to its full audience.

Reputation requirements are relaxed in bootstrap mode. All users can:

* Post Questions
* Post Answers
* Comment
* Create Tags
* Re-Tag Questions
* Vote

You'll earn reputation normally, but you won't be hampered by it.

[Breck_Carter]

Does this mean the end of "Breck's Bounties" whereby points are given out randomly and subjectively via the "bounty" process? I think not... random bounties will continue!

[VolkerBarth]

@Breck: Yep, that was my first question after reading:)

[reimer_pods]

I'm currently using a OpenID for login, for once upon a time when SQLA was young that was the way to do it. If I'd like to change that to Email/Password Authentication, how would I do that?

[reimer_pods]

While this is more a question than an answer, I think that's ok because the question is in fact an announcement ;-).

[VolkerBarth]

But nevertheless you may turn it into a question: When SQLA started, my biggest hurdle was to get an OPEN ID:). But as I have it now, I feel its use quite comfortable.

[Breck_Carter]

I'm guessing you would have to log out, and maybe delete a cookie or two, with the aim of having SQLA treat you like an unknown. If you're doing that to answer the question, "does the new feature work?", bravo! If you're planning to switch over, you'll be starting off with zero points and zero badges etcetera... and then the first thing you'll want is for me to merge your reputation into the new user id... right? Well, it's not like I'm overworked as Administrator yet 🙂

[Breck_Carter]

"Once upon a time"... you mean, like, yesterday 🙂