DeaconFlyer

This coming from the poster who vehemently argues that all posts should be treated equally.

Guess what. Counting threads count just as much when it comes to page views and ad revenue then any post about gardening, auto repair, and Republican debate discussion. In fact, because they are quicker to make, and much more numerous, they actually add more page views and make more money.

The smell of irony is so delicious in the morning.

goalie

Re: pint #5....

Why not just say: This only applies to Games Threads and not to Lounge threads. If a Moderator deems that in their judgement, a Lounge thread has become a Games thread, the Moderator shall move said Lounge thread into the Games forum where it will be treated like all other Games threads.

Mary2e

Rather than spend time arguing about whether or not counting games should be in their own forum, and get into the "all posts count" discussion, I proposed it as a alternate thought.

I disagree with the mods that counting isn't post padding - when Omni counted, the worst offenders clearly stated that was their goal. The game threads dropped off substantially when posts stopped counting.

But they're the mods and it's their decision.

However, it really isn't necessary to get sarcastic with me just because we have a different opinion.

Mary2e

I get that. Really I do. But you became an Omni mod the same day posts stopped counting and it was split up. You didn't see all the people amassing all those posts, though I know you're now aware of them. I agree those still counting away must be doing it for some sort of enjoyment - and I think it's only one or two people. If they are permitted to remain and count, well, you're going to see it all start up again.

I agree, but just how many of these people are having fun? I think it's only a couple. Opening up the door to these kinds of threads will only cause the padding to start up again. And that's what got alot of people pissed off at Omni - those counting threads were always showing up in "new threads" and people just didn't want to see them on top all the time. Some even had their access to Omni cut off just so they didn't have to deal with it.

But like I said before, you're the mod and it's your decision. I disagree, but heck, who am I?

matthandy

Exactly, and in fairness, Mary2e has been talking about posts counting in the context of adding value to the community. Counting games add no value because there is no content. At least with off topic subjects, there is a topic and some discussion.

Describing a games forum is certainly difficult. I'd say that some factors for consideration have to be whether there is a topic being discussed, information provided or an opinion given or whether a person's response has to be based on the previous poster.

Not at easy task and it would certainly be up to the moderator's discretion. But, I am strongly in favour of a forum being created to capture these types of threads so that there is a place for them to be moved to, if a moderator decides that is the appropriate course of action.

Cholula

You're Mary2e, a prominent and respected FT'er and also a secret weapon for the OMNI mods.

We won't necessarily define the details of that last role.

Mary2e

Weapon???? Oh god, I need to get a life

nsx

Thanks to everyone for the helpful comments. Here is a draft proposal in two parts:

Vote 1:
Vote 2:

kipper

I still don't understand why, when the vote on counting all posts is being done in part to eliminate the inconsistency, that TalkBoard would then vote on adding that inconsistency back into the mix, this time in a new forum.

kokonutz

As I said in the private TB forum, I am a 'sure, I guess' on vote #1 and a 'no' on vote #2 for the very reason you state, and because I think games can help build community, and because I really don't care if folks want to go on 'posting runs' in the games forum.

But I appreciate nsx splitting the issues out so that I can make that clear case.

kipper

To some extent, I think that if the games are in a separate forum, then really, what does it matter how active someone is in that forum? Those who don't want to deal with the games won't have to, at that point. Yes, splitting it into 2 votes is a good option there.

nsx

Counting OMNI posts is a benefit to posters who care about their count. IMO it's OK to count those posts because OMNI posts are often valued by readers.

However game thread posts have zero value to readers. Therefore the argument for counting those posts is completely one-sided and falls short.

Counting games posts will, I believe, cause a posting rush in game threads. This will unnecessarily degrade any remaining value to readers of the post count metric. We should prevent that.

As I said in the OP, I'd like to save the pros and cons discussion for the debate thread once the proposal goes live. For today I just want to get the wording right.

wharvey

Considering that any member can do a quick search for how many posts members make in any forum, I do not buy the "degrading post count metric" argument.

There are many forums that hold zero value to me as a reader... but I do not argue they should not count...

Just count everything and let members do their research if the post counts mean something to them.

Or better yet, why not ask IB if it is feasible to expand the "Posts: xx,xxx" to add an "OMNI Posts: xxxx" or something like that?

RichMSN

As long as we can have it also say "Lounge Posts: xxxx, Contest Posts: xxxx, etc." Quite frankly, it's unworkable -- to me counting everything means counting everything within one count.

DeaconFlyer

Is anyone else incredulous that TB, in the midst of voting for a measure that would make all posts count, is considering bringing forward a measure that would again create a subset of posts that would not count?