logo Sign In

Post count: soon to be made irrelevant.

Author
Date
Author
Time
Post link
One thing I've always found funny is the reflection post count seems to have on a member's status in an online community. Why is it that someone who's posted more than others is afforded more respect than those who post less? Shouldn't it be the quality of one's posts that determines how a member is perceived by the community?

One justification cited for post count validity is experience; a higher post count indicates that a member has been around longer and has put in more time on the boards.

Or does it? I've seen plenty of superfluous posts in order to artificially build up one's total post count, both here and elsewhere. When you have people inflating their post count with meaningless posts, it damages the credibility post count might otherwise afford to true contributors.

In my mind, a member's signup date and post history say a lot more about their value to the community than the number of posts they've made.

In the new forum software, your signup date and a link to your post history will be displayed prominently next to your avatar. It will be easy for people to see how long you've been around and just what you've been up to while you've been here.

What about advanced user titles? Can't they only be achieved by post count? With the launch of the new software, I'm returning the forum to the days when rankings were earned and voted upon by the community. Your fellow forum members will nominate you and votes will be cast. Post count will be irrelevant. No all-night posting benders to "earn" the title of Jedi Knight. Custom titles will be made available to everyone and users may enter whatever title they wish, but the traditional high-level Jedi/Sith rankings will be reserved for those deemed worthy by the community.

In addition, I will remove post count from beneath user avatars and place it in the user profile where it will receive far less attention. Post count will be stripped of its function--determing your title--and become merely another statistic.

Thoughts?
Forum Administrator

MTFBWY…A

Author
Time
Post link
I think this idea has merit. It has potential to eliminate alot of the junk posts that have been causing problems lately.

As far as the Jedi/Sith Rankings and post titles. Besides the custom titles will there still be a hierarchy to the titles. And how would progression through these levels work? would one have to move sequentially through them or will one (if their peers approve) be able to move up skipping levels.

Also, does someone have to be nominated to recieve a new rank or can they request to be considered for a rank? I guess this would add a new section where people can go to see who is up for nomination and then vote (once per user) on what rank or if they are approved for the rank? How long would the voting last, and is their any additional criteria besides just being nominated for the rank by your peers?

sorry for so many questions. I do like the idea, but am also interested in some specifics on how you forsee it working , if you have even thought it out that far yet.

I do think this de-emphasis on post count will help reduce spam, though im sure there will be people who will continue to post just to raise their post count, but in my opinion this will make it less of a competition (at least a competition that is based purely on number of posts, as you will need quality posts for your peers to vote for your rank to increase).

-Darth Simon
Why Anakin really turned to the dark side:
"Anakin, You're father I am" - Yoda
"No. No. That's not true! That's impossible!" - Anakin

0100111001101001011011100110101001100001

*touchy people disclaimer*
some or all of the above comments are partially exaggerated to convey a point, none of the comments are meant as personal attacks on anyone mentioned or reference in the above post
Author
Time
Post link
I fully support this move. We've had at least one recent case ::coughAdamwankenobicough:: of someone getting up their post count by just posting random irrelevant things in all sorts of threads and sections of the forum. As long as I can still see my post count in my profile (I always just like to know for curiosity), this sounds great to me.

I used to be very active on this forum. I’m not really anymore. Hi everybody. You’re all awesome. Keep up the good work.

Author
Time
Post link
Jay:

Cool idea, and sound reasoning behind it.

BTW (off topic): Thank you for squashing the "Dead Thread" deal. It was annoying to me to see moderation taken to that extreme.
Nemo me impune lacessit

http://ttrim.blogspot.com
Author
Time
Post link
I'm glad that the post count will still be available in the profile because I enjoy being able to keep track of it as well. Part of me likes the idea because those AWK posts (and those of people in the past too) have really been getting irritating, and I hate the idea of posting for the sake of posting. But for those of us who don't abuse the system (and I know it's arguable, but I'd like to think I'm one who posts responsibly at least a vast majority of the time), it seems a little bit unfair to remove all relevance to post count because I always liked the post count heirarchy system, and I was really looking forward to reaching Jedi Knight in a couple months. To those of us who don't abuse it, reaching a new level is a very enjoyable achievement and nice reward. I know I've posted more on this board than I have on any other message board.

So I'm torn. I know it's a good idea, but for the most part I like the way things are now, even though it does irritate to me to no end the means people will go to to cheat the system. I haven't seen it in action, so I know I'm jumping the gun on forming opinion, but user nominations just sounds a little bit too arbitrary not to mention time-consuming. Maybe I'm totally off the mark with where you're going with this idea, though.

So I like the post count system, but part of me wants you to stick it the spammers. I'm just not sure. Okay, I'm ashamed to admit it, but I'd rather you keep it the old way.

There is no lingerie in space…

C3PX said: Gaffer is like that hot girl in high school that you think you have a chance with even though she is way out of your league because she is sweet and not a stuck up bitch who pretends you don’t exist… then one day you spot her making out with some skinny twerp, only on second glance you realize it is the goth girl who always sits in the back of class; at that moment it dawns on you why she is never seen hanging off the arm of any of the jocks… and you realize, damn, she really is unobtainable after all. Not that that is going to stop you from dreaming… Only in this case, Gaffer is actually a guy.

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: Jay
...users may enter whatever title they wish, but the traditional high-level Jedi/Sith rankings will be reserved for those deemed worthy by the community.
If a user may enter whatever they wish, what's to stop them entering "Jedi Knight" or similar? I say forget the worthiness bit, and just let people have a free-for-all.

Apart from that, I'm fully in agreement with the new system.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v670/Moth3r/moth3r.png

Guidelines for post content and general behaviour: read announcement here

Max. allowable image sizes in signatures: reminder here

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: Moth3r
Originally posted by: Jay
...users may enter whatever title they wish, but the traditional high-level Jedi/Sith rankings will be reserved for those deemed worthy by the community.
If a user may enter whatever they wish, what's to stop them entering "Jedi Knight" or similar? I say forget the worthiness bit, and just let people have a free-for-all.


The reserved titles would be blocked. You could enter the text, but the software would spit out an error. Easy enough for me to filter out on the backend.

Now that I read it again, the whole "worthiness" bit sounds snotty and cliquey. Too subjective I think.

How about reserved user titles determined by post count and signup date simultaneously? Just as an example, let's say Jedi Knight is conferred upon someone with 1000 posts and at least 6 months of membership. They could race to build up the post count, but they'd be denied the title until their membership reached the 6 month mark.
Forum Administrator

MTFBWY…A

Author
Time
Post link
That's actually pretty cool. Part of me still likes the way things are now, because that was based simply on "merit" (in a utopian society where all posts are meaningful), but this could be the best of both worlds.

There is no lingerie in space…

C3PX said: Gaffer is like that hot girl in high school that you think you have a chance with even though she is way out of your league because she is sweet and not a stuck up bitch who pretends you don’t exist… then one day you spot her making out with some skinny twerp, only on second glance you realize it is the goth girl who always sits in the back of class; at that moment it dawns on you why she is never seen hanging off the arm of any of the jocks… and you realize, damn, she really is unobtainable after all. Not that that is going to stop you from dreaming… Only in this case, Gaffer is actually a guy.

Author
Time
Post link
I LIKE YOUR IDEA, JAY. HOWEVER, PUTTING A MEMBER'S TITLE TO VOTE COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS DUE TO "CLIQUES" ON HERE. THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FROM THE START MAY DECIDE THAT WE WANT TO VOTE "OUR GROUP" TO THE HIGHEST RANK FOR EXAMPLE. SINCE THIS WILL EVENTUALLY TURN INTO MORE OF A SCI-FI SITE RATHER THAN JUST A SW SITE WHY NOT JUST DO AWAY WITH THE RANKINGS OF "JEDI KNIGHT," ECT. ALTOGETHER ??? I LIKE THE "FREE FOR ALL" IDEA THAT MOTH3R POSTED. I THINK THAT "HIERARCHY" CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MODS.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author
Time
Post link
WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE 1,000 POSTS PLUS SIX MONTHS ON THE BOARDS YOU STILL OPEN IT UP FOR SPAM POSTS. I HONESTLY PREFER MY "CAPITAL Punishment" TITLE OVER THE "JEDI MASTER" TITLE THAT I SHOULD HAVE DUE TO MY POST COUNT. I'M SURE THAT GUNDARK LIKES HIS "ALL THINGS FILM JUNKIE" TITLE OVER "JEDI MASTER" AS WELL. CUSTOM TITLES WOULD ADD INDIVIDUALITY TO THE MEMBER. IT WOULD KEEP EVERYBODY ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD. RIGHT NOW THE ONLY ONES WITH CUSTOM TITLES ARE THOSE OF US WHO ARE "SENIOR" MEMBERS. IT HAS CREATED A CLIQUE OF SORTS. IT HAS CREATED AN ARROGANCE WHICH I MUST CONFESS I HAVE HAD AT TIMES AS I'VE ALSO SEEN WITH A FEW OF THE OTHERS AS WELL.


SORRY ABOUT THE DOUBLE POST, BUT THE FORUM SOFTWARE WOULDN'T LET ME EDIT MY LAST POST TO INCLUDE THIS.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: Jay
Originally posted by: Moth3r
Originally posted by: Jay
...users may enter whatever title they wish, but the traditional high-level Jedi/Sith rankings will be reserved for those deemed worthy by the community.
If a user may enter whatever they wish, what's to stop them entering "Jedi Knight" or similar? I say forget the worthiness bit, and just let people have a free-for-all.


The reserved titles would be blocked. You could enter the text, but the software would spit out an error. Easy enough for me to filter out on the backend.

Now that I read it again, the whole "worthiness" bit sounds snotty and cliquey. Too subjective I think.

How about reserved user titles determined by post count and signup date simultaneously? Just as an example, let's say Jedi Knight is conferred upon someone with 1000 posts and at least 6 months of membership. They could race to build up the post count, but they'd be denied the title until their membership reached the 6 month mark.


This sounds like a good idea to me, as does a free for all. How about a free for all on the names and some kind of ebay star system based on post count AND membership length?

War does not make one great.

Author
Time
Post link
Jay, I belive it's up to you to decide what could be included and not on the new forum, but I belive it's more of an awareness thing. Those who belive the number of postings are superior to the quality of postings or the importance of that person there are the ones who act in a way that deserved being ignored (and perhaps banned). I rather not to mention names, but is a troll who posts crap away just to increase his number better than people with less posts, such as Jay, or MagnoliaFan, or Rikter, or whoever? No of course not. So whatever you guys decide I'm ok with.

Also, the signup date means nothing at all, either. If someone who might bring good things to this forum wants to join now, I say welcome, and he is no better or worse than anyone of us.

The user titles... Now, I was hoping for it to be free for any user to edit, except a few reserved ones, such as, let's say, "moderator", "Emperor", in your case...

As I said, whatever you guys decide I'm fine, there are only three things I'd like: keep my username and password, give me the ability to change my avatar, and my user title be "Otaku Pride"
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
Author
Time
Post link
You would have to be considering this whem I am getting close to Jedi Council wouldn't you.


Whatever is done, I quality of the posts should be judge more than quantity. I like the idea of having these titles to aim for. I think its fun. But I hate the trolls that do anything to obtain titles that they do not deserve. Perhaps it should be a combination. In order to obtain a title, have to have certain number of posts, been member for a certain amount of time, and then get nominated. And perhaps after the voting, Jay or a person or group of people he appoints will make the final call on whether to approve or override the vote. That would help prevent the "cliques" that Dayv fears.
Author
Time
Post link
Then we will need a system to setermine the quality of the posts.
Author
Time
Post link
When I get off my lazy ass and finish the software.
Forum Administrator

MTFBWY…A

Author
Time
Post link
LOL
Can we have a poll on this?


I dont know what to make of it...hey I've only been here for a day, but already, I seem welcome, way more than a certin other site.
If we could take polls to decide if a member gets promoted or ranked, then I guess thats alright.
But then again, I've only been here for a day.
Author
Time
Post link
Thread cleaned up because of you-know-who. Posts irrelevant to the topic at hand have been deleted.
Forum Administrator

MTFBWY…A

Author
Time
Post link
Sorry, Jay. Been a few days since I've been on.

I like the idea, completely and wholeheartedly.

However, may I make a bit of a countersuggestion? Instead of allowing member voting for ranks, which, as DAYV pointed out, might backfire due to cliquiness (sp?), how about just having a requirement that those who just join remain at Padawan status for six months and, after that time, they are allowed to pick a custom title. The six months proves their dedication to the boards, plus we don't have spamming to achieve a certain post count.

If we must resort to some sort of voting for "higher" titles, maybe we just designate a committee that votes on these titles, instead of the board membership at large, and the committee should be determined by you.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
-------------------------
Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
kapgar.typepad.com
kapgar.com
Author
Time
Post link
A Padawan period before you can choose your own name sounds good to me. At the end of the day, we don't need a heirachy here anyway. We all know who the 'seniors' are, and there are some people who haven't been here long who are good contributers. Let's have a politically correct 'everyone is equal' board. Well, everyone is equal after 6 months...

War does not make one great.

Author
Time
Post link
I like your suggestion Bossk. Start as a Padawan Learner with full rights to create a custom title after a set period of time.

I think I'll still reserve some special titles just in case. Like "Emperor"
Forum Administrator

MTFBWY…A

Author
Time
Post link
And you must reserve "Bantha Poodoo" as well. Just for old time's sake and for those that annoy you.

Maybe we allow certain "higher" titles to be opted for as people reach greater amounts of time as active posters. They can either stick with their custom title after they reach a certain time period or opt for one of the others that they have "earned." I dunno. Just another thought.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
-------------------------
Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
kapgar.typepad.com
kapgar.com
Author
Time
Post link
Great minds, m'man...
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
-------------------------
Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
kapgar.typepad.com
kapgar.com