The Substance Of Posts

AwallaceUNC · Post by **AwallaceUNC** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 2:22 pm

I'm not mentioning any names here, but in the last few days I've noticed that some member(s)' posts seem to be made for the sole sake of adding a post (read: upping their post count). These posts are generally short and come in strands of about 5 an hour per thread. They offer no real contribution or statement of thought (aside from "yes" or "agreed") and rarely pertain to the actual discussion at hand. Repetition of the same (or very similar) posts are often made in succession. They are even occasionally contradictory, or nonsensical and unintelligible!

I bring this up only because I view it as a waste of both time (everyone else's, that is) and bandwith. More posts have to be made by other members to try to decipher the intent of the misguided post, only to find there may not have been one. Post count only matters if it is a reflection of posts that actually contribute to the board as a whole.

I don't want to single anyone out, and like I said, I've only seen this is as a problem with one (maybe two) people over the past few days. No one should refrain from posting as much as they want (I post quite a bit myself), but just use discretion first and make sure there is a reason you're posting. It's only fair to the other members, who spend their time, and Luke, who spends his money, on this site. Sorry if I've misread anyone's intentions, I certainly don't want to offend or instigate... just wanted to raise awareness.

^My $.02

-Aaron

Mr. Toad · Post by **Mr. Toad** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 4:22 pm

Wow I didnt notice there was a posting count until you said it.

I am in 45th place - well maybe 44th after his post.

But you are right. I have noticed that to. Somebody comes in here and posts replies to 14 different messages in 3 minutes and I kind of wonder who intelligent they can all be.

Now I am sure somebody is going to bring up some of my posts that just say agreed.

AwallaceUNC · Post by **AwallaceUNC** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 4:24 pm

lol... hopefully not. I don't want anyone to nit-pick, I'm sure we've all "agreed" at some point. The problem is when it happens a trillion times a day.

-Aaron

Mushu2083 · Post by **Mushu2083** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 5:02 pm

I guess these people think "Hey look! I'm special! I have the most number of posts!" Either that or they like to waste space on this site. I guess they don't want to listen to Luke when he says that we need to save bandwidth.

Loomis · Post by **Loomis** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:56 pm

I do agree with you to a point...

It does become annoying when you have to plough through 17 "new" posts that are simply "yes, sounds good" or "I agree. You are right" to find the new posts of some substance...

But sometimes a brief response is required, particualrly in the case of polls or a brief survey of "should I buy this DVD". In fact, I don't think the fault lies so much in individual posters sometimes, so much as it does the topic. We don't often have really "meaty" discussions here, but when we do they are always fun. After all, fun is what this board is about, and sometimes a short answer just makes you feel as though you are contributing and part of the community.

But really - what can one do? There are alway going to people with a "pay attention to me complex" (says the guy with 2200 posts...hee hee hee). perhaps the only thing that can be done is get rid of the post counts. I for one do like seeing that I have "achieved" a certain number of posts, but in the end I wouldn't care if that went. It may not stop the people who just want to post because they have a "pay attention to meeee" problem, but it may slow the rate of people who post just to see their name up in lights.

snowbot · Post by **snowbot** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:59 pm

yep!

(sorry, but somebody had to do it)

AwallaceUNC · Post by **AwallaceUNC** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 11:04 pm

Loomis wrote: (says the guy with 2200 posts...hee hee hee).

2400 now... surely you didn't post 200 tonight!!!!! If so, you should be upgraded from Masterpiece Edition to Crazy Man

. j/k

I agree with you, sometimes it is warranted and I think everybody kind of knows that. Like I said, on the whole, it's really not a problem. My hope was just that said individual would read this w/o having to name names and catch the drift and just cool it a bit. It just irks me to see such wasteful posts that are so, fake, if you will.

Snowbot-

I didn't think about that before, but in hindsight you're right, someone did have to do it.

-Aaron

Son of the Morning · Post by **Son of the Morning** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 5:52 am

*nods*

...

Yuki · Post by **Yuki** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 6:49 am

Get rid of the post count?
Hm, well--I'm not sure if that's the greatest idea. I, for one, like to see the post count of others(including myself I am sorry to say...

). The post count kind of shows how active one is/how long they've been around.

I just went back through a few of my old posts and have found that I am also guilty of this crime at times! I think that when one has not made a post in a while, it kind of makes one feel like they have to make some sort of contribution to the forum or they almost feel like they are not so much apart of 'it' anymore...(Like Loomis was saying...I think

)

AwallaceUNC · Post by **AwallaceUNC** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 8:59 am

Yeah I don't think I'd want to see the post counts gone either, for the very same reasons as Loomis and Yuki. It just makes the boards a little cooler. It's not so much what you post that's the problem, it's why it's posted. If someone is going through a streak of posting MADNESS simply to raise their post count, then it's fairly obvious that's why they are doing it. I don't want anyone to feel any more cautious than they have been before, save those for whom this is problematic (that person(s) KNOWS who they are

... if you don't know, it's not you

).

-Aaron

Mr. Toad · Post by **Mr. Toad** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 10:18 am

I dont want to see them again either. I am going to make it my singular goal in life to get myself on to that first page of posters.

Watch out Uncle Remus and CATNC i am going to blow right by you.

Wizzer is next on my list - can't wait to get by him, he threatened to knock me over(as well as all the little kids with mickey mouse shirts) in order to get the Treasures first.

Invader ZIM · Post by **Invader ZIM** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 10:23 am

rubs thumb over forefinger *twice*

Mhah ha hah, I've come to SPAM this place up something fierce.

Post by **Luke** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 12:46 pm

In all seriousness, if people are just posting one-line replies to every thread that offer nothing and are merely designed to boost a post count, they'll be issued a warning. If they persist, they will suffer the fate of BasilOfBakerStreet.

I can tell you right now, I have as many posts as anyone, and there's really nothing special about it. If you're looking for commendation, you'd be better off trying to obtain quality than quantity. There's really no point at all to posting lots of short, meaningless replies.

That said, there is something to be said for posting once in a while. We have so many people on the forum each day who stay far more quiet than they should!

catNC · Post by **catNC** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 1:54 pm

JimmyJackJunior wrote:I dont want to see them again either. I am going to make it my singular goal in life to get myself on to that first page of posters.

Watch out Uncle Remus and CATNC i am going to blow right by you.

Wizzer is next on my list - can't wait to get by him, he threatened to knock me over(as well as all the little kids with mickey mouse shirts) in order to get the Treasures first.

It won't bother me, I can name NUMEROUS people who have already "blown past" me in their post count, people who joined much later than I did. I just try to make sure I have someting worthwhile to say before I post, perhaps that's why my count is what it is...

Mr. Toad · Post by **Mr. Toad** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 1:58 pm

Luke - what exactly was the fate of BasilofBakerStreet. I do remember them as one of those late night massposters to every thread. Didnt notice their disappearance though.

CATNC - I was only mockng those who value the number of posts.

edm114 · Post by **edm114** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 3:19 pm

Just my two cents as a newer member that doesn't post a whole lot. I have read through pretty much the majority of this forum (even prior to setting up my account). However, I only post to something that really intrigues me. However, this is a very interesting thread topic, after there is one (I can't remember which part I read it in) stating because of the bandwidth and people not being active in the forum (whether posting far and few between or not posting at all) they may be deleted in the future to help cut costs.

I don't know if there may be a direct correlation to this or maybe the contest regulations where you have to have so many posts within a time frame to enter/win (which I actually think is a good and fair idea). Generally, when people try to bulk up the thread counts on numerous forums though it has to do with the fact that many newer people as well as older people are not paying attention to every section of a forum and don't realize if they are using filler or actually making a contribution to the forum for the better/worse depending on the situation. Therefore, these people with the high thread count can feel more important on a site and then maybe get to the point where there feel comfortable with posting because the number does matter and they feel that people may take them more serious.

End my two cents (sorry so long)

catNC · Post by **catNC** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 3:29 pm

JimmyJackJunior wrote:CATNC - I was only mockng those who value the number of posts.

I know. It's all good

I just took advantage of your post to make a point.. There have been plenty of people come on to this forum and in my opinion waste my reading time and the site's *bandwidth* (ooh the b-word).

toonaspie · Post by **toonaspie** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:27 am

Whoa, believe me Aaron I didnt know that people on this site are that crazy to want to make posts to heighten there status. I was surprised to go from Member to Gold Collection recently.

I have no clue how the system works.

buffalobill · Post by **buffalobill** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 10:56 am

I have to agree with aaron that (& I think I know who you are referring to) constantly filling up threads with 3 or 4 replies like "I like it too" followed by "I'm getting (whatever dvd) asap" followed by "it's really neat" is nauseating to sift through. I've read UD for a long time & am only now closing in on 100. Makes no difference to me. If I wanted to get into a major post back & forth about something important to me I wouldn't hesitate. Fluff posts (constantly) are just annoying & you should know who you are.

Escapay · Post by **Escapay** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 12:36 pm

You know, after I read this post, I started noticing some of those posts that apparently are just used to up one's post count. Darn, now I'm gonna notice it from now on, like those annoying bugs in the bottom corners of the TV Screens!

Fluff posts should just be deleted, IMO. If ya said it once, you don't need to say it 3 more times. For example:

I enjoyed that movie! When does the DVD come out?
later...
I love this movie! I'm going to get the DVD!
later...
This movie rox! Can't wait for the DVD!
later...
I wanna see this movie again! Where's that damn DVD?

Escapay

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The Substance Of Posts

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