[rob2132]

I saw a post in the other forum stating that people are discouraged from posting non relevant additions to specific topics--the standard "just don't post nonsense to get your post count up". I agree, it's pathetic/stupid that people actually bother to do that just to get more post counts for their user name on a forum at a site online. I don't understand nor care why people do this, nor why they think it's something special. For that matter, what are the reasons for showing the post counts at all on any of the forums out there?

Sure, it shows you someone's more active than others and participates more--but to what end and for what reason? Obviously this is an issue when people post things like "I agree" in response to posts or just randomly interject stupid or meaningless opinions that don't contribute anything--but then you have to decide why a lot of unhelpful posts are there and the intention behind them. That's logical, but why bother? Allow me to try and explain why it seems pointless--besides the point WHO CARES what someone's freaking post count is!?;

This seems like a child-like issue to have to deal with on any level--I mean, why have post counts at all? If someone wants to see what someone's contributed, they can do a search on their handle. Why cater to the dimwits that think the number of posts means anything at all? Instead, my suggestion is to "dare to be different" and just remove that feature. It serves no purpose, other than to motivate weirdo's that think it means something to just post randomly or unhelpful or irrelevant posts. Look at the crap on WHT for example--look at the 'sticky' thread about it in the "Lounge" there--it's ridiculous the number of posts and views it has. This forum is supposed to be about programming questions, answers, discussions, etc. What need is there for a post count?

Thus, why do people even have this? It was just one of many little, trivial and meaningless features that people originally started adding to forum scripts for no real reason, I say toss it, don't worry about the hassle that comes with it--it's not going to possibly make any difference to the people that visit the forum anyway. I mean, if a post count means anything to anyone, wouldn't you wonder why it did? I don't see the purpose of it and to need to post a warning about people aiming to up their count, it just seems logical to remove the feature anyway, since there's absolutely no reason to have it (it doesn't improve the quality of the site nor the purpose of the forum).

[MadDog]

Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean everyone doesn't.

I personally like having a post count. There is no harm in leaving it up.

If someone posts allot of junk to get their post count up, thats what the suspend feature is for. Or you can just edit the persons profile and reduce the amount of posts.

[rob2132]

Originally Posted by MadDog

Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean everyone doesn't.

Of course, nor did I have the audacity to assume it did. I wasn't claiming to be speaking for anyone but myself and my own opinion about it.

Originally Posted by MadDog

I personally like having a post count. There is no harm in leaving it up.

I didn't claim it was "harmful" to have it, I posed my view that it's pointless.

Originally Posted by MadDog

If someone posts allot of junk to get their post count up, thats what the suspend feature is for.

Seems like a waste of time and energy to deal with for such a trivial thing, since that feature pretty much is mostly only seen as useful by the type that think the post count makes some difference and post just to up their post count (yourself and some others excluded, I'm sure). And, to be clear, since it seems I need to be; I'm not saying that my views are shared by anyone else but myself.

Originally Posted by MadDog

Or you can just edit the persons profile and reduce the amount of posts.

Refer to the above. Personally, I've seen enough loons ruin things for such a pointless feature. Anyway, since you like it, I'm curious as to why? Not that I'm saying it matters to you or it's important (I doubt either of us would care if it wasn't for the fools that post crap just to up their count), but more to the point of how it would affect you to make your experience here less fulfilling or whatever?

I.e., I'm curious of why that is for you. And, again, for the sake of being utterly and ridiculously clear to avoid any misinterpretations; I'm also not trying to act like it's my decision nor that I have any say or have more importance of influence than yourself or anyone else.

[Mud]

Yes I agree. I think we should disable post counts from serious forums. Also some people bad mouth people that have less post counts than them. Sure I respect people at WHT with 2000 posts that post useful posts like Coach over there. Is there a feature to disable post counts? Also I dont like people who dont read the whole post and they post irrelavent posts.

[rob2132]

I honestly meant no offense by my post nor to suggest the people that like it don't find some use or have ill intentions and are the pointless 'up my post' type of posters. Maybe I'm just thick headed? I'm genuinely curious to know why people like it as if they'd prefer it and actually care (I'm not saying I do beyond what I expressed in my post about it and for the reasons outlined in it). I really do want to know the purpose of it, maybe I've just never considered the reason? I don't think it otherwise makes a big difference, but I don't see the point. :-)

[crookyboy]

I agree with you rob2132. I agree.

[MadDog]

I personaly like the posts count because it does show how active a member can be.

Just because it says when the user joined, doesnt mean they are a active user. I look at the posts count as to see how active the user is.

And its nice knowing how many posts i have made since ive been on the website.

[rob2132]

Originally Posted by MadDog

I personaly like the posts count because it does show how active a member can be.

Just because it says when the user joined, doesnt mean they are a active user. I look at the posts count as to see how active the user is.

And its nice knowing how many posts i have made since ive been on the website.

My (own) experience dictates that active participants aren't necessarily any different from non-active one's in regards to useful or helpful posts. I mean, to see how active a member is or not, I'm not personally aware of the purpose of that, and searching on their user name usually will serve a greater purpose in that regard.

I just meant, what is the purpose of knowing how many posts someone has made or how active someone is (since you can search for posts by them with the click of a button anyway and see a post count there as well as a short summary of their posts per page)?

Anyway, it's nothing more than curiosity on my part and for the reasons I originally outlined as to the point of such a feature anyway--in light of the additional hassle/problems that seem to go along with it. Perhaps there's no purpose for anyone really, and they just happen to like it, in which case I'm left remaining curious about it (but I'm not concerned about it either way). :-)