What exactly is "broken" and will the "fix" really solve more problems than it creates? The "padding" of post counts may -- wittingly or unwittingly -- happen just as much in the "on-topic" forums as the "off-topic" forums; and I would not be surprised to see such behavior of "post-count padding" gravitate toward the "on-topic" forums if such a "fix" were applied.

Perhaps one-line or one-sentence responses to posts should not be counted either? Perhaps "clarifications" or "addendums" should not be counted? Perhaps only the first response in a thread will count? Perhaps humorous threads or responses should not count? Perhaps certain "Women Travelers" forum postings won't count since "Male Traveler" items in OMNI won't count? What else did I miss?

I don't really mind whatever general change is or is not done with this matter of post counting. It's not too hard for the more active members of FT to figure out what needs to be figured out without paying attention to post counts. However, for the less active or new FTers, I think post counts are a somewhat useful indicator (of various things) -- until and unless they learn how to use the search feature at its best.

For the less active or new FTer seeking help on a matter, the post-count "padders" with the higher post-counts may be perceived as probably knowing a bit more about FT and FTers than most of the non-post-count-padders. Presumably, as a result of that general perception by the general FT populace, the "post-count padders" probably receive more than a few assistance-seeking PMs/emails from the less active, newer or other (even long-standing) information-seeking FTers.