59 replies to this topic

[KittyNakajima]

You know, that's actually not a bad idea. I haven't necessarily felt that in my tenure on this forum, but elsewhere on the internet like Deviantart and a few other forums I used to go to. Apparently post counts/page views were everything to some folks to the point where the mods had to instill a 'no bumping' rule in the forum policy to prevent folks from just adding one word sentences and other irrelevant rubbish just to gain a number of post counts.

However, some of the negative shit I've seen has usually come from idiots who have nothing else going for them other than a bunch of stupid numbers. Especially if you're like me and tend to have a lower post count for the mere fact that you simply tend to lurk as opposed to frequently post. I tend to make long, detailed posts if the topic is truly of interest to me, so sometimes it tends to feel as if what I wrote doesn't hold as much weight as someone who has twice or triple the amount of posts that I have.

But that's just me and my experiences, not necessarily saying that it happens over here since most folks seem to be very levelheaded and mature about the way they go about posting, so either way I don't think removing/keeping the post count will have a negative impact either way I look at it.

[Mollfie]

^ I've found that on other forums too. I think that hiding it so only you can see if a good idea, and then if people still insist on boasting (which I havn't actually witnessed here) then they'll look more like a douche really lol.

On the only other forum I'm a really active member on, post counts are irrelivant really because our admin and mods don't give a crap how much you post, or what you post. If you want to just post "<3" you can. No one cares. Also most of the people on there, including myself, had to move across when our old board had to close. That and we've all known each other for years so you are respected based on your history with people, not how many posts you make. I know people there you've made about 30 posts in 3 years and are more respected and loved than the members who have 15000 posts.

Edited by Mollfie, 10 March 2009 - 02:57 PM.

[Roarz]

I have a suggestion that wont involve modifying the forums in an attempt to act upon a vague, untested solution to a minor problem. If you see someone being a complete elitist on the forum, treating people like shit, don't assume the staff will protect them because of post count or whatever balls and just report them. If you're nervous about posting against someone with a massive post count, I understand but that's an insecurity that isn't our problem. If you have confidence issues, talk to a member of staff for reassurance; you can talk to me as well, I have plenty of experience talking to people about sensitive subjects so if you have any issues on here you can send them to me.

Despite the fact that I am habitually bad-tempered on the forum, it's more of a tactic to keep people in line than any real aggression; you'll find that my tone is very different if you approach me with genuine concern. Either way, this is a bit of a pointless battle against normal human behaviour. People are going to boast and think highly of themselves, everybody in this topic has done it before and will do it again. In fact, by talking about these mysterious boasters and assholes, you're putting yourselves on a pedestal above, to convince others you aren't one of these social deviants. I don't give a shit, communities will have their dramas and odd characters, that's what makes them exciting; all I'm concerned with is providing order via rule enforcement and reassuring members who approach me personally.

[MizukiMoon]

Am I the only one here who actually cares about post count? It looks like it =0

Seriously, to me half the fun is watching my post count go up, trying to get as many as certain other members who've been here longer than I have (this was on the old forum, of course), but just because I like post count DOES NOT mean I post for the hell of it just to raise the number, I post because I want to and because I want to be noticed and get more friends, I never make spam posts just to raise my post count.

In a way yeah, removing the post count is a good thing because I wouldn't feel I'm competing against someone with higher counts than me and I wouldn't have to worry about my post count number being too low making me look like a n00b, so yeah I don't mind either way really, it certainly wouldn't stop me from posting here still :]

Edited by S o n i c, 10 March 2009 - 09:41 PM.

[Jetronic]

Now that you mention it, there was one topic, about several months ago after Sonic Chronicles came out. One user with a SS Goku avatar was giving his impression of the game. One other person came up and replied and they argued for a few posts.

Then one of them had said

Well look at your post count, I have more than you, therefore I contribute to this site more than you do.

Personally I wouldn't mind either way if they were gone or stay. But its really strange how a post count can be so important, other than what I quoted.

Edited by Jetronic, 11 March 2009 - 07:29 PM.

[Meph]

In another forum I go to, post counts were disabled for the same reason... and it worked! Who's to say it won't work here?

[Flyboy Fox]

To be honest, I really haven't seen much post-count elitism here at all. I'd personally suggest leaving it for now and keeping it in mind as an option if the problem presents itself. There are probably more pressing tweaks needed at the moment.

[Strong Bad]

The best solution is prevention >_> also I'm sure this problem would take years of coding to fix, and not a few clicks in the ACP or anything.

[Flyboy Fox]

However, that removes it for those who genuinely enjoy the feature, even though nothing bad's happened yet.

[Kevin]

I agree with Flyboy Fox. I haven't seen much post count elitism here either.

[Roarz]

The best solution is prevention >_> also I'm sure this problem would take years of coding to fix, and not a few clicks in the ACP or anything.

A few simple code edits in the skin sorts it out. Not doing it though, there's no evidence there is even a problem for one thing. Then if there is a problem, there's no evidence that this 'solution' fixes it :F.

[Mick Bynes]

I don't mind the post count, it's traditionally a part of a message board. That's pretty much the only reason why I want it to stay. I agree with Roarey, Flyboy and Kevin on this.

[Dejablue]

haha. So everyone is saying that all of the older posters/people with high post counts on this forum were assholes. Nobody seems to object to such a generalizing and mean statement. Oh well.

Edited by Dejablue, 12 March 2009 - 05:13 AM.

[Remz]

I just think people should post to say something, not to increase their stats

[Eileanach]

I try and think of this place as an Instant Messenger only you need to use more words than just "LOL okay" so I think that the post count helps people establish who is more active but it certainly doesn't mean the people with high post counts have actually contributed to this place any more than those with low ones.

I haven't really saw a message board without a post count as most places use it as a system to show who has contributed more to gain a rank or level, I don't see the point upon further thought in removing it if it isn't really causing a problem right now.

[Urtheart]

As Roarey said, it's human nature for people to try and have a way of making themselves look or sound more important than everyone else. Even if you got rid of the post count, you'd have members basing it on their start date or likewise. It's just the way it is. Even if you got rid of the post count, I don't think you are going to stop spammy posts (points at SSN).

[Serperior]

even though nothing bad's happened yet.

This is more than likely because we only have a fraction of our members right now. Once all of them come back (And possibly newcomers) post elitists are bound to show up.

[Hogfather]

haha. So everyone is saying that all of the older posters/people with high post counts on this forum were assholes. Nobody seems to object to such a generalizing and mean statement. Oh well.

Yes thats exactly what this former top and before the crash third highest poster with a count close to 7k is saying...

Christ...

[SuperLink]

Only just noticed this thread. I mostly agree with everything Remy's said. I don't see the harm in turning it off, and there's a good chance it could generally increase the posting quality. I love forum statistics myself, but perhaps the post count doesn't need to be turned off on all parts.

No harm in trying it out for a little while just to see is there? I know some people are sticking up for the post count, but if it works, it works, and if there's no real change, it doesn't work. It's really as simple as that, although it may be a better idea to not try it out until the forum's noticable busier. That way there's more chance of people like Breech popping up to post whore.

[Chris]

also I'm sure this problem would take years of coding to fix, and not a few clicks in the ACP or anything.

Cut the attitude man. Enough is enough.

I would personally prefer to leave the post count there until it is causing issues amongst members; if it starts getting thrown around religiously like it's statistically important it'll be removed pretty quickly.