Change in Post Count Policy

[Solomon_abx]

I was quite pleased when the change was made NOT to count posts to the non-technical forums such as off-topic. Then CJ changed it back. Would anyone care to discuss the reasons for or against?
For newcomers, postcount can be viewed as a barometer of forum knowledge and that is diluted by posts to off-topics. A lot of forums have been ruined by spamming posts to increase postcount, thank goodness that is not the case here due to the excellent mods.

[Sir Skully]

What we have here works! The ole saw, that if it ain't broke, then don't fix it! Most people get their problems fixed here on the forum, no matter post count. Just by what new people say about this forum, you just know, its the right place to be. This was never an issue in times past. Issues such as this can put people on one side or the other of the fence. Throw this issue out and you have no fence. I could say more, but my point is if the water is smooth *leave it that way*

[JoeFrat]

Personally I think that a post count doesn't necessarily have much to do with a persons knowledge or skill level. I mean, who's to say that a guy with 25 posts doesn't know what he's talking about?

On the other hand, I do agree that there's really no point in adding to a post count if we're just talking bs, or wishing someone a happy birthday, or posting jokes.

Lastly I agree with skull....what we have here works pretty darn good. There's very little, if any, animosity between members, we all learn new stuff everyday, and we make new friends. I can't think of any reason to change the way it is.

[kaz]

I don't think anyone who comes here for help is impressed by any post count or cool avatar, just timely and accurate advice to fix the problem that brought him or her here, and when they get it they usually keep coming back....JMHO

[k0NG0]

I agree. But we could exclude the beer drinking thread from posts that count...

-kONGO

[Wulffie]

oops, I meant to post this here....

http://www.asusboards.com/forums/sho...6103#post86103

Posted by Wulffie
I cast my vote for doing away with the message counting.
Since it started , I noticed the increase in the number of inane, off topic posts , to boost the "prestigeous" message count up , so one can move closer to the illustrious title of "expert" . Expert at what? spamming an informational message board? LOL!
I am not pointing a finger at anyone in particular, just making a broad-brush generalization.... *wipe* *smear* *splatter*.

In general..., message counting encourages this kind of posting, which in turn increases the need to find bigger , better ,faster servers, which in turn boosts expenses, which in turn brings us to where we are today... counting the "burn rate" of the site, to keep everyone at a "near panic" state of on-the-edge survival mentality, waiting with baited breath for the moment of sheer panic that will set in when we hit the URL for this site and get the
"404 not found" message.

You might think me a "bitter peon"(based on post count -of course), who has been here awhile, but hasn't clocked up the message counter...., well.... to the contrary, I "lost" my message count when this forum moved servers, and just returned after many months. (anyone care to buy me a beer to cry into? - LOL).

Im thinking instead of message counting per-se, an "voting" system the way some web sites have that say "vote on the relevency of this post to your question etc).
That way if someone is particularly helpful (which a good number are- dont get me wrong), we can rate the reply , if we feel like it, from 1-5 and have the weight of that vote factor into some kind of "message rank" , and THAT be the motivation to not only post GOOD stuff, but perhaps some kind of "reward" for being highly ranked on that basis....

If theres some way to encourage some kind of contribution, that has some potential (like maybe product discounts on Asus products (psssst.. ASUS , you listening to this??? another marketing opportunity!!)......

(hey im throwing out stuff from the top of my head... but then thats how sometimes ideas are borne).

Sarcastically yours, and totally shooting from the hip.... ;-)
Wulffie.

[spookyload]

How many posts you have has nothing to do with your experience. I remember Kongo stating he got 200 in one month. Who cares. If he clicked the banners everytime he posted, that is a lot more revenue generated than someone who doesn't bother posting at all and just signs on as a guest. I know a co-worker who reads this forum at work too, but doesn't join anything. He is a microsoft certified engineer. His post count is zero, and he has a lot he could share(I am working on him to join still) <p>The whole point of off topic dicussions is quite obvious in the name, and I seriously doubt if someone who needed help would go there for advice. Does it matter how many beer posts he does? Not in my opinion if he is clicking banners keeping the place alive. And as far as avatars go, I bet half of the people here have no idea what it would take to get one, let alone think someone an expert because he has one. Usually if someone gives bad advice, they are corrected rather quickly. And as far as anyone being an expert, that is all opinion unless you are certified by microsoft or Asus as a tech of some sort to back it. This site is a site for enthusiats to help each other. It never has been touted as a springboard for official tech support.

[tamarelle]

what next? A board of moderators to decide whether or not a post is worthy to be counted?

If I wanted to live in a totalitarian regime I would move to Iraq and wear a veil.

So what if what I post doesn't impress some people? There are plenty of posts in the technical threads that are clearly assinine and attempts to be disruptive, or just plain dumb, but those are worthy and wishing someone a happy birthday is not?

Just my 2 cents

Tam

[spookyload]

You would need a veil for that avatar too. Way too much skin for Iraq.

[Ozzie]

The reason it was decided to count the posts again in the off topic forum is that it is also important for team building and general good spirits for the members here.

We all need a little escape from time to time...life is full of stress as it is.
It surely doesn't hurt to just blow off a little steam now and then...

There are plenty of members willing to help others when they need it.

[Solomon_abx]

Then why not just take the post count off the system?
If it means nothing as many of you are saying, get rid of it.

[tamarelle]

Thanks Ozzie

As usual that was a well thought-out and reasoned reply

And as for my statement that there are plenty of assinine posts, I am sure that mine are the most assinine of all But if my personality makes some people feel at ease and happy then that is some sort of contribution. Goodness knows that on a technical level I don't contribute as much as some others here.

I guess I am just being a little sensitive to this issue and I hope I didn't offend anyone.

Cheers!

Tam

[Solomon_abx]

Originally posted by Ozzie
The reason it was decided to count the posts again in the off topic forum is that it is also important for team building and general good spirits for the members here.

We all need a little escape from time to time...life is full of stress as it is.
It surely doesn't hurt to just blow off a little steam now and then...

There are plenty of members willing to help others when they need it.

So we have to count the posts in order to entice/provide incentive for people to participate in the off topic forum?

[memphist0]

Originally posted by kaz
I don't think anyone who comes here for help is impressed by any post count or cool avatar, just timely and accurate advice to fix the problem that brought him or her here, and when they get it they usually keep coming back....JMHO

Actually, I was quite impressed by the shiny custom avatars. But thats just me

[Solomon_abx]

Now the avatars are really important and interesting. They are eye catching and break up the monotony of text. It is an expression of individuality and personality. Everyone ought to get one from day one upon registration. An avatar as a reward for participation doesn't make any sense.