When I first joined forum nearly six years ago, I rarely posted my own threads or responded to other’s posts. I was in the learning process and had little to offer. Eventually, I began to post questions and got a lot of help that way. More recently, I began responding to other’s posts whenever I had something substantive to offer.
Then, one day, I started noticing the number of posts that others had listed under their avatar and the Most Active Users column. So, I increased my posts to include some less than substantive responses in order to get a Post Ranking. Apparently, Post Rank starts at 128, then increases to 64, then 32, etc. Finally, one day, and only one day, I decided to become the Most Active User that day, and failed since others had the same objective in mind. My total posts that day were relatively astronomical.
Why do I bring this up? Is it petty jealousy that others who have been on the forum only a year or two have thousands of posts to their credit ? Maybe, but the real reason that I think that the Trains Forums should stop counting the number of posts is that it encourages pointless posts and responses just for the purpose of building up post rank. It is difficult enough getting through all of the posted threads without having to further filter through all of the jibberish that adds nothing to the discussion.
Am I wrong or do others agree with me?
Alton Junction
If somebody wants to count up the posts of a rather experienced railfan-modeler, or a rank newbie, all they have to do is call up that person's profile (by clicking on the screen name) and posts (link found in the individual's profile.) The count is right there.
It is sometimes useful to know that someone who has:
...is actually new to the Forums, and needs either instruction or moderator action. That person's membership date and post count provide a ready reference.
Do I keep track of my own count? Or those of the people 'ahead' of me? Or those who might be catching up? I have more important uses for my time, like trimming my toenails, or sleeping.
Besides, Kalpubco might want to know just who's using these forums, and how much. As a former statistician, I can relate to that.
(They DID do away with the stars...)
Chuck
I was happy to see the stars go, and I wouldn't mind seeing the post count go as well. They are sometimes distractions to those who feel that one's post count must be an indication of the poster's experience, knowledge base, expertise, ability to express him/herself well, perhaps some entitlement or ownership/seniority...and they forget to think critically of what the person actually offers. Yes, indeed, some post often, some hardly at all, some post wonderful and useful comments, and some hardly at all. And there is only a very modest correlation between the number of posts and the overall utility or value of what they post.
So, I would be happy to see all that chaff slip off the page entirely. There are other problems, too. In my view, a person with the grey silhouette avatar may just not have any interest in having one there, or the person may be unsure of the purpose or how to access the function in the first place. It doesn't follow that he/she is not fully conversant with just about all the hobby has to offer.
I amassed a whopping number of posts in just three or four years, although I think my pace is less than half of what it was back in 2007/8. I have always been a keener who rushes headlong into something that interests me, and that pace was merely a reflection of the predilection.
As a moderator, my count also reflects a lot of posts communicating with my fellow mods in the RA forum, and of course with our staff bosses who ask us questions about a complaint they have received or about forum admin matters when they would like our input.
We should understand perhaps, as well, that some people are not working for any number of reasons, or they may work at a desk at home where they can take frequent 'me' breaks and they choose to use the time to catch up with their favourite hobby. Many are retired and practically live at their computers. I am largely in that category. I do exercise regularly, though, cycling and running for many km/week, and I am active on my property repairing and grounds/garden keeping. I have left the TV largely behind, preferring to be at the computer.
-Crandell
I've been on since 02, and have only 1400 posts. I must be doing something wrong.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
richhotrain When I first joined forum nearly six years ago, I rarely posted my own threads or responded to other’s posts. I was in the learning process and had little to offer. Eventually, I began to post questions and got a lot of help that way. More recently, I began responding to other’s posts whenever I had something substantive to offer.
Sounds good. That is the way it is supposed to work.
richhotrain Then, one day, I started noticing the number of posts that others had listed under their avatar and the Most Active Users column. So, I increased my posts to include some less than substantive responses in order to get a Post Ranking. Apparently, Post Rank starts at 128, then increases to 64, then 32, etc. Finally, one day, and only one day, I decided to become the Most Active User that day, and failed since others had the same objective in mind. My total posts that day were relatively astronomical.
That is not a problem with the post count. It is a problem with the poster.
Won't be fixed by removing post counts or the most prolific poster of the day listing - the overly competitive would then most likely instead try to be the last poster on the maximum number of threads on the front page or some such thing instead. Not unlike that poor, sad, psych case Al Mayo.
If you really feel out of control, and it bothers you, go talk with a shrink. If not, just try to make sure that what you post is interesting and related to model railroading when you feel you must post.
If other people's verbal diarrhea really bothers you, either PM them about it, or ignore it.
Grin, Stein
I have been on forums that have eliminated the Post Count, but that did not eliminate the "Me too", "I agree" and "Hey, that's great!" type of replies. And I don't think those kinds of replies are all that bad, either, as they encourage postings that have value (ego stroking for the original post).
Post Counts do give some indication of a person's presence on the forum. Low counts say they are either very new or have not had much to say, high counts indicate they are engaged in the forum. Reading their posts gives an indication of the value of their engagement, low or high.
If the Post Count encourages you to blather on, then you will quickly become known as a blatherer and obviously it will be a fitting title. But I don't really see very many Blatherers on this forum.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
I still have the stars saved on my hard drive, so should I ever want to feel like the good ol' days..
I admit that I have tried to up my post count once or twice, once attempting (successfully, mind you) to be the top poster for the day, but even then I've tried to add something to each discussion I posted in. I do the same now and I expect that very few people strive to have a large post count now.
It's just not as fun without the stars.
Go here for my rail shots! http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=9296
Building the CPR Kootenay division in N scale, blog here: http://kootenaymodelrailway.wordpress.com/
Post counts are a fixture in all forums. They mean what you want them to mean. No Big Deal!
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I played that game elsewhere, it got old fast and took a lot of dedication, you had to visit even on days you would rather not and search for things you could involve yourself in.
ME TOO!!!!!!!
....My interest of being a member on this forum has to do with the interest in railroading in general....and that has been an interest of mine for decades and decades....Yes, many decades. An "old head" fan....
What's the big issue of getting rid of posting counts.....Seems silly. it's been there long term, being part of the layout thru many iterations of this forum structure. Why is it bothering some....?? It simply is a counter, nothing more.
Personally, I do not get on here to "add up posts"....That's silly. I'm on here because I see something of interest, or simply share an opinion or something I believed was interesting. Or perhaps thank someone that has shared something of interest to me, etc....
Of course {in my case}, the posts have added up, but that is simply a fact of the length of time I've been on here....with the interest listed above.
Quentin
I have been a member here for six or eight years, and my post count has never been of any interest to me.
Edit: I just noticed that it is still under 1,000 after joining 8 years ago....
Should I be keeping track of the number of posts I do. I see something interesting . When I've time & access many time I'll throw my 2 cents worth out there. Some times it is an area where I have a little expertise or I have time to kill and look up the answer for someone. (Last week someone was asking about Interbox connectors on containers. )
Sometimes I see something that just plain irritates me. (Some of the grand statements about truck drivers)
A lot of times it is just out of boredom when I've nothing else to do.
By the by I do want to thank Kalmbach for having the forums. I do enjoy.
Thx IGN
That would be denying the male ego which is usually quite inflated under normal circumstances.
Ask any woman.
Besides there are those who need the recognition for whatever reason.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.