I was waiting for this question to come up
 

I see I'm in the minority here, but I don't think posts should count.

What I don't get is many of the people who support them counting say "what does post count really matter that you have to not allow them to count." Well, if post count doesn't matter, then why do you care whether or not it counts?

Leaving lounge threads on the side for a moment, I believe that allowing OMNI posts to count belittles the integrity of a FT post count. The truth is, it relates to a previously discussed question: What's more important - Information or Community? If FT is simply a community, where we happen to enjoy talking about miles and points, but we're simply a community of people conversing, then by all means, allow the posts to count AND remove the restriction of 180/180. If, however, FT is about the information, and the community naturally flows from there, then OMNI is a great place for the community to "chill," but it's not really the focus of FT, and therefore posts shouldn't count, as they have nothing to do with the purpose of FT - miles and points (and related travel)

The lounge threads are another beast, and something that needs further examination. But just because they exist shouldn't give carte blanche authority to allow post counts from OMNI.

Omni posts should count, they are the same as regular posts. No need to differentiate post from post.

I don't mean to have the debate here, but to be clear it's not just Lounge threads, those are just the most obvious example. Ladies comparing shopping bargains on shoes in Women Travel, whllinder giving me running techniques suggestions in Health and Fitness, even this post I am typing now...they all count. And they all have nothing to do with miles, points or travel.

It's just an arbitrary line that was drawn. It's stupid.

I don't think OMNI posts should count towards a member's total. That said, I'm not sure why the lounge posts count either. As a TalkBoard member, I would do my best to keep OMNI posts from counting and to work towards keeping the lounge posts from counting.

My fundamental thought is this - if a post does nothing towards furthering the aim of FT, it shouldn't count. "Good morning" or "how are you?" are great for building and maintaining community, but don't advance the mission of FT. At it's heart, FT is about sharing travel information/andecdotes/trip reviews/etc. I'd prefer to see the post counts reflect each member's contribution toward that objective.

As for creating "a group of second-class posters", I don't think post count is an accurate way to assess one's overall contribution to FT. I've seen plenty of newbies come to FT and offer a great suggestion or piece of advice in their post #1. I've also seen plenty of members who have very high post counts that I'm sure benefitted from the time when OMNI posts counted toward their total. I prefer to look at the body of work presented by each member when assessing his/her contribution to the site. Post count is contaminated now due to the fact that we've been playing under different rules over the years.

I think it's a good idea to have the debate here, so voters know where and why we stand on this.

You bring up valid points. It's not perfect. But the essence of, for example, the Women Travel forum is related to travel, and that's not the case with OMNI, which is why the line was drawn there.

Regarding lounge threads, it's much harder to say those don't count than with a forum, as the post count can be turned on or off for a forum, but not a thread within a forum. (Regarding a lounge thread within a specific program forum, that is)

Sorry, but I think you and the others that promote this line of thought simply miss the boat. While you think "Good morning" doesn't further the "aim" of FT, what if the poster looks forward to coming on and saying Good Morning to people in a lounge thread (or to see others do the same), but THEN goes to an airline or hotel thread and answers a question or posts a review or posts some advice. Maybe without that "Good Morning" that person doesn't come to FT at all.

I feel the same way about those that come and post in OMNI or OMNI/PR and then head over to the airline/hotel forums and contribute. It's possible that the motivation to come into FT that morning was a juicy thread on PR, but the advice they gave on their second or third board visited that morning was invaluable to the poster.

I think it's a terrible thing to say one post is less valuable than others. I'm happy that everyone is here and if we're going to maintain such a thing a post counts (which I'm not convinced is important or necessary), then every board, every post should count.

Why is this being resurrected? There are PAGES of debate on this issue in the aforementioned thread which includes my opinion on it. Personally I had hoped it was dead with the vote being passed. I voted no, I will vote no when elected if it comes up again.

Because there are people like me who are specifically running for TB in order to (among other things) overturn this stupid, stupid, stupid decision and treat all posts equally. @:-) ^

I'm guessing it is being discussed in part because some in the community feel strongly that they should count or shouldn't count, and want to know our opinions on this before deciding who should receive their vote, with the hopes of bringing up the issue again during the next TalkBoard year, if they want posts to count.

Good for you. If you make the motion, I'll be your second (or vice-versa). So now you know how I feel about it, if you didn't know before.

I disagree on two counts. Number one, I highly doubt that FT would see a drop in members/posters because their "Good morning" post no longer counts. On the flip side, I highly doubt FT would see an influx of new active members specifically related to a decision allowing OMNI posts to count.

Furthermore, perhaps I'm speaking for others, but I don't think people against allowing OMNI post counts (such as myself) view those posts as unimportant. They're simply not connected to the crux of FT.

(Bolding mine)

I like the confidence!

I don't consider this issue settled unless 2/3 of the TalkBoard votes affirmatively for something, and that would include the status quo if that's the TB's preference.

I floated an idea or two inside TB after the last vote, but there did not appear to be anything close to 6 votes for anything.

This lack of 6 votes for any resolution was exactly the situation the TalkBoard faced on how to count abstentions. We finally put that one to bed a few months ago, so perhaps there is hope for the continuing issue of counting posts.

And, as I said, if there are 5 votes for any resolution I will provide the sixth vote. We need to reach a conclusion, whatever it may be.

Hey, I can't get in on this? :D Yes, I think OMNI posts should count.

If a flat out all OMNI posts count won't pass, then the idea to split OMNI that I referenced earlier could be a viable compromise, but I'd rather that all OMNI posts count.

Can you please explain what you mean? Although it's been discussed numerous times, I'm still not quite sure what the rule was and what it is (regarding abstentions). Proposals used to need 6 "yes" votes, or now they need 6 "yes" votes?

What type of split?

It's kind of a silly idea to differentiate lounge posts from non miles/points posts to FFP related posts. All posts should count towards post count.