Linux-Is-Best

I love it. The new point system ties nicely into a vision I have for one or both of my communities.  I have been using Discuz! (2002) and FluxBB (2008); since the founding of their conception. Both of them have become dated in many ways, and while I have developed them both beyond their functionality, I feel we have reached an impasse. They most certainly work and function, but the development for one of them (FluxBB) has all but nearly stopped, and the other has become more 'hackish' (Discuz! 3.5) as the development has progressed (when it moves).
Our current business model mimics Reddit, both in the way of ad placement, monthly subscription, and the ability to reward others. Members naturally already receive achievements and points, which I see Invision will have in the upcoming v4.6; this is a beautiful way to encourage engagement while giving the member base a sense of involved reward and recognition.  Additionally, you already have a reaction system in place. What is lacking, and I presume we may need to build out in third-party development, is a method to purchase the reactions to reward others ("x" value allows to "y" number of reactions you can reward others).
Nevertheless, I am excited and looking forward to the pending release of 4.6

I love it. The new point system ties nicely into a vision I have for one or both of my communities.  I have been using Discuz! (2002) and FluxBB (2008); since the founding of their conception. Both of them have become dated in many ways, and while I have developed them both beyond their functionality, I feel we have reached an impasse. They most certainly work and function, but the development for one of them (FluxBB) has all but nearly stopped, and the other has become more 'hackish' (Discuz! 3.5) as the development has progressed (when it moves).
Our current business model mimics Reddit, both in the way of ad placement, monthly subscription, and the ability to reward others. Members naturally already receive achievements and points, which I see Invision will have in the upcoming v4.6; this is a beautiful way to encourage engagement while giving the member base a sense of involved reward and recognition.  Additionally, you already have a reaction system in place. What is lacking, and I presume we may need to build out in third-party development, is a method to purchase the reactions to reward others ("x" value allows to "y" number of reactions you can reward others).
Nevertheless, I am excited and looking forward to the pending release of 4.6

Here's an example of me manually giving a badge and/or points.


Here's the dialog the moderators can use:


One other thing we haven't spoken about is that you can allow your moderators to deduct points from a user when they are warned.

 

Age of account and birthday rules for points would be very welcome as well as an option to give long time members some bonus for being active.

To be honest, @Jordan Invision has become the best new feature at Invision Community.



... but I'm excited for badges too!

Nobody reads my comments 😪
 

Comment party let's GOOOOO 🎉 

Before the question comes up..
Rules are handled via extensions, so 3rd party apps will be able to implement own rules in their apps :)

Btw, our "Our Picks" pages now includes content created by you guys! More will be added there.
We're also chewing on some new ideas to make your community topics more visible. More on that soon. 😉 

It was mentioned in 
😉
It’s planned to have a public version in few weeks

Nothing to add, great video, but omg please don't ever ask me to smash a like button again.

😍
Regarding the night-mode request, duly noted! 

I beg your pardon, as I know this may not be the place to suggest a feature, but since I have your attention, please pass on this suggestion.  If all my Android apps can do it, I would like to think so can the forum (just a thought).
Respectfully focusing back on the main topic, I agree with your viewpoint.
It is essential to develop a community with a friendly atmosphere. Nothing truly screams friendly and inviting when people hear the phrases administration or moderation. They are easily associated with words such as 'boss' and 'authority,' along with 'entitled' and 'privilege.' In our current times, these are not viewed necessarily as cheerful and inviting words.
I recently renamed my administrator title as "caretaker," and the moderators are known as 'peacekeepers.'
 

I don't believe that's in the works natively at the moment, however I use a theme that has that functionality and it's awesome :] 

I am looking at the dark tones in your photo and video and have to ask. Can we hope to expect a light / dark button in 4.6?

I prefer the term 'Mediator' or even capitalising on your own title @Jordan Invision an 'Advocate' I've even change the names of the groups on my own site.  Admin becomes Community Leader and Moderator becomes Advocate.  Takes the boardroom air off the titles and makes them more amenable. 
I prefer mediation to confrontation - the latter listens to both sides whilst the other just starts knocking heads together which leads to bitter feelings.  The name 'community' says it all - it means coming together not railing against each other over what (for the most part) are issues of a lesser degree than other things going on in the community.
I agree with you 100% that leadership starts at the top, but looks towards the bottom without prejudice 🙂
 

One thing I forgot to mention in my reply, and it's REALLY simple.
BE YOURSELF!
Don't try to be someone you're not. Don't act or pretend. I understand that you may have to come across more "professional" at times but the more yourself you are the better your community will be able to relate to you, engage and continue being a part of your community. Being professional doesn't mean to completely change who you are. There is no right or wrong answer as everyone may have different opinions but if you were to jump into a room full of people, it's not too difficult at all for someone to pick up on a persona or someone not acting themselves. This is the same for a forum; people sooner than later do pick up on it.

Separating yourself away from the role of an administrator is easy. Separating that mindset away from other people's perception of you is not so easy.   
I, like yourself, once took on the role of administrator very seriously.  I was a wizard at keeping my community function and up to date. Managing the site's software and hardware a 'no-brainer.'  Policing the community when warranted clearly and respectfully, I could do blindfolded.  But as a person, I was always seen as 'the administrator.'
Having a simple conversation proved problematic. People would always act differently and reply differently when the administrator entered the chat. Think of it a lot like walking into the breakroom and the boss is there. I had never once used my authority to diminish anyone or rise above anyone in a casual conversation or debate. But that did not stop people from being more reserved when the administrator decided to include themselves in the conversation.  Should you disagree with someone in a casual discussion or debate, people did not see "John" disagreeing with them. They saw the administrator and site owner disagreeing with them and picking aside. On some level, it was always seen as more personal.  
I had started with only a single account on my site. But to further distance me from the role, I made a personal account. This helped a little, but the undertone of my old school members who knew it was me could not be genuinely shaken. As my community grew into hundreds of members, I noticed that never really changed. And as you can imagine, every once in a blue, someone would point out the fact.
"Bob" has entered the chat. - It may sound silly to you, but my "Bob" account is precisely everything I always wanted. I am doing everything I have always been doing since day one. Nothing about me has changed. Only the perception of my members has changed. Except for the staff, no one knows "Bob" is the site owner and administrator.  People feel comfortable debating and even arguing with "Bob" on occasion.  "Bob" is so well received that he has become a community leader who helps set the community tone. On rare occasions, someone will message the administration suggesting "Bob" be promoted to join the team.
Having a community means sometimes reading the room.  It means making what changes are necessary and not always trying to conform your members to fit your needs, but sometimes working on yourself to match theirs. 😉

It's probably a good idea when in the role of community leader to hit the pause button on any communications you might feel inclined to send to individuals or the community until such a time as you "really" have a feel for your community and you have adopted a communication style that works for them and elicits the responses you are hoping for.
Your initial communication might not be the best approach and once sent can't be retrieved.  
You should consider giving your communication another once over a few hours later or the next day, maybe you might see something in the communication that might be better worded or an entirely different approach might come to mind. I know this is hard as we have become so ingrained to utilizing instant communication. 
You should gauge your community to determine if you should write at the high school or college level as well as how technical they are.
With that knowledge you can better determine which words you could readily use in your communications as well as how detailed you might have to be. 
On the other hand you need to be cognizant aware of the fact that If you are too wordy then you might lose people with extremely short attention spans. Know any Twitter or heavy sms users?

Couldn't have said it better myself.
Becoming one with your community will allow the community to grow. A good leader is avoiding being a 'boss' per say. You can do everything that the administrator role entails but there is no need to enforce the status. People will already know you're in charge without you having to tell them. And in my opinion, it doesn't really matter if you remove the title altogether. So long as the administrator duties are being fulfilled in the background none will be the wiser.
Do what you think is comfortable and how you would want to see a community if you registered for the first time. Toxicity within the community and status are definitely things you would not be attracted to and will prevent you from visiting again.

This is Episode IV btw 

I generally appreciate the thoughtfulness the development team has placed into coming up with this new feature. I am honestly looking forward to 4.6 and the many improved enhancement.  😎

I have sent you an email about this.

Do you now have access to both Marketplace forums?

I generally appreciate the thoughtfulness the development team has placed into coming up with this new feature. I am honestly looking forward to 4.6 and the many improved enhancement.  😎