The post count, in my opinion, is part of the problem, not the solution.


FT has changed. Post padding lowers the content value of the board as a whole. Post count chasers often carry an attitude that other styles of posters do not.

I fully support the hiding of all post counts.

As for the motion, I don't care either way. Omni-ites seem to want them to count. Seems trivial to me, but what's good for the goose should also be good for the gander.

This in no way is directed specifically at you... but you've hit the problem right on the head... Omni-ites. It's a hold over from Randy's belief there shouldn't be an off-topic area, and it was he who created this second class citizen status.

While I will agree some people live there, perhaps it's because they no longer travel, or don't have anything or much to add to a M&P forum. I can say that it is what happened to me. Technology made it easier to do my job from where I am versus going to a location. Does that mean I no longer should be able to shoot the breeze with some long time friends? Do I not have anything valuable to add to a M&P forum? I still contribute where ever and when ever I can, sometimes in Omni, sometimes in a M&P forum. But I keep coming back for the community aspect of this forum.

This is about consistency of treatment of off-topic posts. Some, because they are in a M&P forum, or one that counts, such as community (the contest threads) are valued by this community, while some have no value to the community.

So far I haven't seen anyone who opposes treating all posts equally address the consistency issue at all, except to say don't count any post (which I would favor).

Opposed. As this is a travel related site, post count (if we are to have one at all) should measure participation in such discussions. I understand the need for OMNI forums to exist, but don't think they should be included in post count.

How about all the other forums and threads that have nothing to do with travel?

I have read many good posts in this thread.

Does anyone care to do the math here? How many posters are pro/con?

I do realize that some TBers have made election promises, but its rather impossible I guess to know if they got any votes for this particular one. One would hope that enough of these posters would back that opinion here. Im sitting with the feeling there is a clear majority against this motion (me included).

I would hope TB would use this opportunity to more carefully evaluate the need and purpose for posts counts/titles.

Hide post counts (show in profile)? Scrap the idea totally? Zero all counts with new rules?

It could end up showing any post counting is counterproductive.

There is no such thing as a second class citizen. Go smoke doobie and relax a little bit!

It's the internet, it is not worth stressing over or thinking about!

I don't see this as an opportunity, actually. I see this motion as an relatively quick up/down and then I plan on not talking about post counts again this year.

I think (at least hope) that one thing we all can agree on, is that we will respect majority.

It seems the main reason for some on TB to support this is that they are backed by their voters (and probably also feel themselves that its right).

With respect for not only the voters but all members, and as this is as you say "relatively quick up/down", could we try a new approach?

Could we set up a 2 week fully announced member poll? CD could/should use that as advice. Simple questions need simple solutions^

Better to ask how many FTers are even aware there is a Talk Board forum. With only 1,000 voting in the last election there's clearly a large block that doesn't care what the Talk Board does. A lot of FTers that post in the Talk Board forum are regulars here and have been for years.

The Talk Board could readily activate the polling feature if they wanted a sense how the membership felt. Probably wouldn't get more than 1,000 votes, though, just like in the last election.

1000 people asked seems to be a magic number in many professional surveys.

I think that such a result would be pretty representational.

You didn't have a magic word? You forgot to say "Please". Can we please allow to bring it back the post count again in Omni.

I just don't get it either, I will never have a high post count. I don't care if they count in Omni or count at all.

Thanks for your reply, but your comments worry me. How many questions were included in the debate? 15 or so? I didn't realise that the other 14 were totally irrelevant. 'I'm sticking to my election promise' isn't a good arguement. You are saying that you'll blindly stick to something even if the overwhelming majority of the people you represent feel that it is a bad idea. . If this is the case, I ask, who exactly are you representing, yourself, or the community?

If you break your election promise because the community states that they are not in favour, then who are you harming exactly? You'll be doing more harm by sticking to something that the community does not support.


I'm sorry Rich, but that's totally upside down. You are elected to represent a community of people. "I", "my", "me" are not words that should be at the forefront of your mind. If TB is a "representative body" then I ask again, who are you representing?


I agree with this, and I honestly think that you've proved your point here by backing a motion that does not have popular support. I'm not sure that this is a good thing though.


I agree, there would have to be restrictions, time limits etc. But I ask, what is going to happen if this motion is defeated again? Will it come up again? How soon? How many times does the same motion have to be presented before people will let it go or are simply beaten into submission?


I would hope so to, but it seems as though our newly elected TBer's are going to pursue their own agendas regardless of the views and opinions of the people that elected them.

It is not the motion itself that is much of an issue here for me, it's the attitude of our newly elected members, implying that they are going to ignore the community that they say they serve. I'm really disappointed and shocked that none of the TB members seem to see that turning their backs on the community is an issue in itself.

If the TB won't listen to members, then there is no point in voting and no point in expressing any views. A sad time.

Ok - so I've attempted to tally up the opinions as best I could based on who has posted in this thread - correct me if I'm wrong (but note that I should be packing as I'm heading to DC to fly to IST tomorrow & will have VERY limited access through the 17th).

Majority that have expressed what I believe to be a clear opinion at this time are against this motion. Feel free to clarify and correct me...apologies in advance if I've spelled your handle wrong.

Note that this tally does not include TB members. Despite the edits, this only includes members who posted prior to this posts' original post.

YES - 13 MEMBERS
Mary2e
wharvey
Chillinthemost
thelark
ewrfox
Skyman65
kipper
RKG
ItsHip2B^2
Jinxy
SirFlysALot
anonplz
GUWonder

NO - 22 MEMBERS
Jenbel
dchristva
delta747
as219
canolakid
lo2e
CPRich
tcook052
travelkid
CMK10
OverThereTooMuch
origin
Eastbay1k
BadTime
alesir
HansGolden
painintheuk
Ritz
javabytes
tom911
lin821
Steph3n


DON'T CARE - 8 MEMBERS
LIH prem
Cordelli
Kagehitokiri
janetdoe
84fiero
JerryFF
hhoope01
MissJoeyDFW

NO POSTS AT ALL (OR HIDE ALL POSTS) - 6 MEMBERS
flyinbob
eightblack
Markie
DenverBrian
Steph3n
seanthepilot

POSTED IN THREAD, BUT NO CLEAR OPINION STATED (at least not crystal clear to me, IMHO) - 12 MEMBERS
Prospero
Canarsie
nerd
N830MH
notsosmart
aztimm
corruptcanadian
Analise
PhoenixRev
matthandy
oliver2002
njx9

That's me too.

When I joined FT, I traveled quite a bit for business, and was a frequent poster in the M&P forums. My job changed, and I now travel much less frequently--and usually only for leisure. So I don't visit the M&P forums as much. Does this mean I should stop posting in Omni unless I can meet some arbitrary M&P/Omni post ratio?

Sorry, but over the years, I've developed many relationships with posters through conversations in Omni, and I'm not going to just abandon them because I currently have less interest in or need for the M&P forums.