Eliminate Post Counts Completely
 

The subject of post counts comes up time and time again. It is obvious that some FT’ers have real hang-ups about the mechanics of how other FT’ers gain their post counts. Some got very emotional that OMNI posts were not “real” FT post and should not count. That wish was granted. My question is why stop there? Do we exclude posts that add little to threads? Single word replies? Smilies? Thumbs up? Thumbs down? The list is endless.

My simple suggestion is to remove the post count completely. I’m not sure if it is possible for individuals to see their own post count so that they can continue to massage their ego’s but frankly I don’t care if someone has 20,000 posts or 2 posts so long as their contribution is valuable to the overall community.

Gaza,

I totally support your suggestion. I have advocated that also each time the discussion has come up. Number of posts mean nothing... other than possibly how much time I spend on FT... :)

I agree, it is the quality of the post that is important.

William

I don't agree. I love the post count, as it's a clear way of showing someones active participation in FT.

I don't need a post count to determine whether or not someone has posted quality over quantity.

I also disagree with the suggestion completely. At least until I get my FT Evangelist status back. :cool:

We work hard for these post counts, you know!

FewMiles..

I'm closing in on 4000, so I can't be totally objective :)

The fact that I know I'm closing in on 10,000 tells me that there's something valuable to me about post count -- though I honestly can't tell you exactly what that is.

Post count does not directly equal quality, of course.

Goodness knows many of my posts have certainly fallen short over the years.

And yet I take a certain pride in my level of activity and involvement in the community, one rough proxy for which is post count.

On the flip side I am willing to cut a member a whole lot more slack -- for not using the search feature, for asking a basic question, for posting in the wrong forum -- if I see that their post count is low. Maybe registration date alone gets me there, and I could use it as a substitute for short-hand judgment, but I do find post count a handy metric.

I agree with gleff on this. Also, I look at post count in the coupon connection as some measure of reliability. If someone's been active for more than the required 100 posts, I'm more likely to trust that person. Member date doesn't necessarily equal active participation as I've seen in a couple of posters who signed up 2-3 years ago and then did a flurry of posts recently to hit 100.

I agree with WHarvey on this one. If you are concerned about the quality of someone's posts, simply perform a search on that poster's username - the results will tell you a lot more about the user than the number of posts ever would. ;)

I dont know that I see a bid deal either way. It certainly doesnt change my views of the person post as I will judge it based upon the content not their post count. I think most people on the board do the same. I see no value to having the post count personally but also see no harm. This board is for people whos goal are obtaining as many hotel points, miles etc as possible so my guess is for some that posts are the same (ok not everybody are points addicts but you know what I mean). I hate to see that as it should be the ability to add value to a thread that is important not adding another "point" but overall it is harmless I think. I would say the same about how long a person has been a member. Could have just joined but followed the board for years but could have joined for years but never really followed the board and its activities. After all that babble.......I dont see any real reason to get rid of the post count or change the count process.

Edited as I forgot to finish my sentence.

Phew, only 50,000 to go and I'll catch doc. ;)

Can anyone name me one heavily used Bulletin Board that does NOT have post counts?

Seems like there must be a reason for them, and a pretty universal liking of them. :p

Quality and Quantity are not the same thing ;)

Well, I am approching 10,000, I hope you won't hold it against me, as you have done it before ;)

I never held it against you.

I like many others am astounded anyone can post 5000 times to ONE thread. ;)

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