Call me crazy, make a flame war, but tell me what you guys think.
I sincerely think that the post counts should be hidden. This is because it seems like now, people are seriously more focused on making more spam and posts, rather than having quality discussions and having fun - it's becoming more of a TBG-feeling place.
I always try to think, quality, not quantity. But it's hard for some people to do that with the post count staring them at their face. Although in a way, post counts may encourage users to make more posts on the forums, as to become a good contributor, it's doing more harm than good.
The forums should be a place to help each other, and a place to collaborate, as a nice community - but it seems to be more of a 'spam-a-palooza' now.
Although part of the reason may be the "post count" thread by Jonathanpb in the misc forum; the whole origin is here.
Offline
This is really an interesting thought, and I give you props for having the guts to come out and say this. I do agree with you that there's been a lot of spam and posting for the sake of bumping post counts lately, and getting rid of them may not be a bad idea.
Offline
gettysburg11 wrote:
This is really an interesting thought, and I give you props for having the guts to come out and say this. I do agree with you that there's been a lot of spam and posting for the sake of bumping post counts lately, and getting rid of them may not be a bad idea.
Thanks!
Offline
Sure, maybe it will get people to spam less.
Offline
I agree somewhat... There was a discussion about this a while ago, and I believe that one of the reasons that it wasn't removed was because, when helping someone, a lot of people guage how experienced a Scratcher is by their post count, which can effect how they reply. Example scenario:
User A wrote:
How do you add an image to your signature?
Personally, I'd look to the post count to see how familiarised a Scratcher is with the forums before answering. If they had only a few posts, I would probably explain it in simpler terms than if they had a few hundred posts (eg - "go to profile, then to personality, and use [img]notarealwebsite.com/image.png[/img]. Click submit to view your signature", instead of "go to the signature edit page, and use the image tags")
However, I can certainly see the benefits of having no post count - how often I see posts that are just "lol", or something else that doesn't really add anything to the discussion!
I sort of support.
Offline
I kinda thought of the fact that post counts show who's experienced and who isn't as well, but I really can't think of any other benefits.
Offline
I'm sorry, but I do have to disagree with you, post count makes a difference on some level, and to say that anyone who's been around for 2 months (not a new scratcher anymore) has the same experience as anyone who's been around since '07 and has over 4000 posts is not really fair, and I think that should stay shown.
Offline
Well, this is a hard topic to really think about. User Post's showing is great in ways and not so great in others.
Generally, more posts means a more experienced user.
So, when asking for something like... "How do I do ______ in scratch?"
You would generally trust someone with more posts to give you the most accurate and specific answer to whatever you asked.
Then again, there are people who trick the system for more posts. So, it's tricky to decide.
In my personal opinion I say we should monitor the current situation and continue to do so. If we see that Post Count's are distracting the community in a way that is not helpful or wanted, then I say we should remove them.
I think it's a great system potentially, but it can be used in a way that you would think otherwise.
Offline
^^ Good points.
Maybe there can be an option in the 'Display' category of the 'Profile' option on the top of the forums that lets you show or hide your post count.
Offline
I had an idea, instead of hiding them just say 1000+ when they go over 1000. Just a thought.
Offline
While I sort of support this, I don't also. Like others have said, post count helps give you an idea about how experienced a Scratcher is to the forums. Of course, post count can be gained in many ways. Maybe posts posted in off topic forums like Misc could be part of a separate post count? Just a thought.
Offline
archmage wrote:
I had an idea, instead of hiding them just say 1000+ when they go over 1000. Just a thought.
Or perhaps a kind of generalisation? Perhaps it could say ">200", "200 - 500", "500 - 1000", "1000+" or something. The scale could be made bigger or smaller to suit...
I'm not sure if the scale is possible, but it would stop competition for post counts, regardless of how many posts. We'd still be able to see how experienced a user is, though.
Offline
maybe someone could rate you when you post an answer how much knowledge you seemed to have and post count should be replaced with this rating so ppl try to be more consistent?
Offline
Wolfie1996 wrote:
archmage wrote:
I had an idea, instead of hiding them just say 1000+ when they go over 1000. Just a thought.
Or perhaps a kind of generalisation? Perhaps it could say ">200", "200 - 500", "500 - 1000", "1000+" or something. The scale could be made bigger or smaller to suit...
I'm not sure if the scale is possible, but it would stop competition for post counts, regardless of how many posts. We'd still be able to see how experienced a user is, though.
Interesting, but not knowing exactly how many posts they have might push some people to post even more spam. You know, they might just try to eliminate any doubt about their posts by putting it as high as possible.
Offline
Wolfie1996 wrote:
archmage wrote:
I had an idea, instead of hiding them just say 1000+ when they go over 1000. Just a thought.
Or perhaps a kind of generalisation? Perhaps it could say ">200", "200 - 500", "500 - 1000", "1000+" or something. The scale could be made bigger or smaller to suit...
I'm not sure if the scale is possible, but it would stop competition for post counts, regardless of how many posts. We'd still be able to see how experienced a user is, though.
Yeah! OR instead, there might be ranks!
Lets say >200 is New scratcher
200-500 is Beginner
500 - 1000 is Scratcher
1000 - 4000 is Forum Poster
4000+ Advanced Forum Scratcher?
Random thoughts.
Offline
fg123 wrote:
Wolfie1996 wrote:
archmage wrote:
I had an idea, instead of hiding them just say 1000+ when they go over 1000. Just a thought.
Or perhaps a kind of generalisation? Perhaps it could say ">200", "200 - 500", "500 - 1000", "1000+" or something. The scale could be made bigger or smaller to suit...
I'm not sure if the scale is possible, but it would stop competition for post counts, regardless of how many posts. We'd still be able to see how experienced a user is, though.Yeah! OR instead, there might be ranks!
![]()
Lets say >200 is New scratcher
200-500 is Beginner
500 - 1000 is Scratcher
1000 - 4000 is Forum Poster
4000+ Advanced Forum Scratcher?
Random thoughts.![]()
No, most people who have 4000+ just spam and these titles would serve to stroke their ego.
Offline
archmage wrote:
No, most people who have 4000+ just spam and these titles would serve to stroke their ego.
It's true.
However, I don't think this can work. It's either take out all post counts, or leave them in. There are no shades of gray in between
I haven't experimented with Fluxbb 1.4, but this version wouldn't be able to handle it.
The only way that could work is with titles, but that would be tedious, and not worth it
Offline
cruelty247 wrote:
maybe someone could rate you when you post an answer how much knowledge you seemed to have and post count should be replaced with this rating so ppl try to be more consistent?
I was thinking to that too. It would show more the experience of the users.
I agree with you.
Offline
Wolfie1996 wrote:
I agree somewhat... There was a discussion about this a while ago, and I believe that one of the reasons that it wasn't removed was because, when helping someone, a lot of people guage how experienced a Scratcher is by their post count, which can effect how they reply. Example scenario:
User A wrote:
How do you add an image to your signature?
Personally, I'd look to the post count to see how familiarised a Scratcher is with the forums before answering. If they had only a few posts, I would probably explain it in simpler terms than if they had a few hundred posts (eg - "go to profile, then to personality, and use [img]notarealwebsite.com/image.png[/url]. Click submit to view your signature", instead of "go to the signature edit page, and use the image tags")
However, I can certainly see the benefits of having no post count - how often I see posts that are just "lol", or something else that doesn't really add anything to the discussion!
I sort of support.
Yeah, I know what you mean..
Perhaps there could be ranks, like experienced member, new member, frequent visitor, etc., in which the values would not be given out
EDIT: Hmm, it seems like some people actually suggested that already xD.
Last edited by Lucario621 (2010-07-29 15:32:39)
Offline
I mean in the goal to remove spam from the forums, this is arguably the first step to do it - even before doing something such as removing misc, considering that would be a lot harder.
Offline
I say ditch them and views as well. Views sometimes are just wrong 25,000 + for newer posts?
And as far as knowing who to listen to, looking through a few other forum posts (a good idea anyway) will help you figure that out. Not to mention, when does anyone get bad advice that isn't quickly remedied by more replies? But I mostly hang out in AAS forum so that is my point of reference.
Offline
Locomule wrote:
I say ditch them and views as well. Views sometimes are just wrong 25,000 + for newer posts?
And as far as knowing who to listen to, looking through a few other forum posts (a good idea anyway) will help you figure that out. Not to mention, when does anyone get bad advice that isn't quickly remedied by more replies? But I mostly hang out in AAS forum so that is my point of reference.
Views? IDK, I don't really pay attention to those much (you're talking about the views on forum topics, not projects, right?)
Offline
Post counts are needed for order! Lucario621 you're just jealous that you're post count is low!!! *teary eyed*
Just kidding. I have no input on this topic that hasn't
already been said, but I am generally against it, at least until I pass everyone,
then we can hide them all we want while I'm offically known as the highest
poster on record.
Last edited by Ace-of-Spades (2010-07-29 17:26:48)
Offline