Joinee Ranks
From Join Me
You may have noticed that some Joinees are referred to as Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond Joinees. Also, some have letters after their names (for example "GA"). None of these things matter. They're just for fun.
We've called them ranks here, because we couldn't think of anything else, but they're more like badges of honour, and certainly don't give the Joinees in question any more authority over the collective. To try to explain them individually:
Silver Joinees have done something cool for the cause, like an extra special RAoK or recruiting a bunch of people (5 is reputed to be the norm for silvering). Being around Danny when he's had a couple of drinks also helps — apparently he once said the whole of Edinburgh was Silver on the basis that "Edinburgh's great!"
Platinum Joinees are very established, awesome joinees. It started off with just Joinee Whitby, but since then a few others have been promoted. First were Platinum Joinee Fowler and Platinum Joinee Rufous, then at Karmageddon 4 it was the turn of Platinum Joinee Collins and Platinum Joinee Worthington. They became Platinum for services above and beyond the call of Danny!
Diamond Joinees have put up with all sorts. That's not strictly the criteria... but both of the two existing Diamond Joinees have at some time run the Joinee forum. They are Diamond Joinee Whitby and Diamond Joinee Matt Fowler. There was also a special Diamond Day in February 2006 during which all Joinees were "entitled" to call themselves Diamond.
The most important thing to remember about the "ranks" is that they're not important nor particularly "official" in any meaningful way. One should never do things to get silvered / golded / platinumed, because for one thing you'll likely be disappointed as Danny doesn't hear absolutely everything that goes on, and for another you'll get far more satisfaction out of something you've done for yourself. However, if you reckon you or someone you know deserves silvering or golding, why not drop Danny an e-mail and explain why?
[edit] Footnote
There are a few others that slip through the net. There are those who get multiple Silver stars (often when Danny has forgotten he's Silvered someone before), or the Double Pink Joinee, who was Double Pinked after some drinking at the expense of the BBC. Most promotions are indeed the fault of alcohol. See Other Stars for more details.
