The Psychology Behind The Number Of Posts

[TB Roye]

Lets see this my 435 post. I wonder if I could hit 500 by the end of the year? Really I do more lurking the posting depending on what the subject is. The number of post mean nothing to me. What can I post on next? let see go back to the index and check, find something you know nothing about and reply thats what we will do. Better yet go the Jimmy Johnson/Jeffy Gordon forum and do it there give them something to really whine about. Don't ruin a good forum.

Tom

[TheRic]

Don't pay much attention to post counts. For example I've been a member since June 2004. My count is a little over 200. About 200 of those posts have been in the last 12 months. What does it mean??? I don't have a clue just trying to boost my count.

Seriously never paid much attention to post counts. For example you might ask a question and get 2 replies that are different. One has a low post count, the other has a high post count. Which one do you believe??
In this case I would trust neither on only the post count. The newbie could be an expert on this one topic, while the high post count person could just be saying something just to see his comments on the Internet.

I normally watch / follow a forum for a while before I will get involved. You get a feel for who knows what they are talking about, and who is supplying free fertilizing for your field. No matter what response I see from whom, I take it with a grain of salt, some larger than others.

Now if I was Tom I could have bumped my count up 50 verses 1.

[BobSch]

When I first started posting I thought, "I'll never have as many posts at so-and-so." Then I realized it doesn't make a bit of difference. (Matter of fact I had to look at my profile to see what MY count was.) Another site I inhabit frequently has a "Recomend This" option on each post which is kind of nice because you can give somebody a bump without having to add to the thread just to say "I agree" or whatever.

[scorrpio]

Don't care much about my own post count. Join date and post count of others generally lets me know a couple things. I.E. with an oldtimer I am more likely to refer to a previous discussion. With a new guy, I am more likely to go into extra detail.

[oakchas]

My puny post count, compared to my join date, tells you everything you need to know about me... Anything I say must be important!

Well, it is. At least to me.

I make an effort to contribute worthwhile, useful information. Occasionally, I opine pretty strongly about topics I really am concerned about and my have several posts in a single topic.

And, I agree with the poster that suggested a "Thanks" button... that would tell you who has posted worthwhile, useful information, and who is "just chatty." I think these forums let you rate a post, and that's almost as good. but the poster doesn't get "credit" himself, his post gets the credit.

Also, if you hadn't noticed, I tend to be wordy. So the quantity of information I post in each post deserves some credit, too.

I want more "attributable credit" for what I have contributed, so I think word count should be the standard!!!

In reality, I have looked at my post count here, and was surprised it is as low as it is. Though I haven't been a regular for years, so maybe some of my posts fell away. But it really doesn't matter.

[SARGE..g-47]

Quantity doesn't necessarily reflect quality the same as having the most tools does not automatically make one a craftsman...

Quality post have to be determined by content as quality woodwork has to be determined by final results. Quality cannot be disquised by esculation of quanity.

Regards...

[LCHIEN]

Rating Threads and adding Reputation on this board

...

And, I agree with the poster that suggested a "Thanks" button... that would tell you who has posted worthwhile, useful information, and who is "just chatty." I think these forums let you rate a post, and that's almost as good. but the poster doesn't get "credit" himself, his post gets the credit.

...

There is both a rating for the thread (overall topic) Button marked "rate this thread" which is on the Bar above the first post displayed,
and an "add to ____'s reputation" button which is the (weighing) scales icon:

found on the right end of the bar atop each individual post.

If you mouse over it it will say "Add to John Doe's Reputation" if the poster's name was john doe.

Few people use either one. I really appreciate feedback when some one says I hit it right on the head or whatever but adding reputation is also fine - on your profile it lists the post that you got the reps for. You can use the reputation if the answer was right on or you find the post extremely informative (and hopefully correct) or it explains something much better or clearaer than you've seen before. You should also use the rate the thread button for topics containing posts that have useful info or again, explain something better or clearer than elsewhere.

[Stytooner]

Or as in my case, the three reputation marks I received was from when we were testing the reputation buttons.

I feel that post counts are simply a tool. I'm glad that a computer is doing the totaling. It can in some cases be beneficial, but for the most part should not matter.
As an example, take a for instance Woodnet. I joined in Jan. 02'. I have around 300 posts there. There are guys that just joined over there this year and have like 12000 or more posts. I really think these guys are getting their full dollar value out of their keyboards is all I can say.
They may very well have a lot to offer, but I can tell you with certainty, that not every post was worth hitting the enter key on. That is so just on my measly amount.

One thing I do see in this thread is that to each his own when it comes to post counts.
Posting about post counts is kinda like counting your money. You wind up with one more dollar every time you count it.

[oakchas]

There is both a rating for the thread (overall topic) Button marked "rate this thread" which is on the Bar above the first post displayed,
and an "add to ____'s reputation" button which is the (weighing) scales icon:

found on the right end of the bar atop each individual post.

If you mouse over it it will say "Add to John Doe's Reputation" if the poster's name was john doe.

Few people use either one. I really appreciate feedback when some one says I hit it right on the head or whatever but adding reputation is also fine - on your profile it lists the post that you got the reps for. You can use the reputation if the answer was right on or you find the post extremely informative (and hopefully correct) or it explains something much better or clearaer than you've seen before. You should also use the rate the thread button for topics containing posts that have useful info or again, explain something better or clearer than elsewhere.

Okay, I see the scales, and I can add to someones rep... that's good. but I have 10 rep points. Izzat a default? and why can't I see someone elses rep?

Based on you can't see someone elses rep, It does no good to determine the likely quality of someone's post.

So: If with 10 rep points, I post about finishing saying "I find that using the greasiest rag from the garage and rubbing it on my newly assembled trophy case, I get the most wonderful finish, and a genuine looking patina" No one will know that I know or don't know anything about what I'm talking about, because they can't see my "rep"... all they can do is add to it positively or negatively, and only I will see it.

Both are inconsequential to me... post count and rep. Whether mine or someone elses... Though, like you, I appreciate a thanks now and then... I'm still getting requests for the Ginsu workbench, from time to time, and "that makes my heart soar like an eagle.*"

*obscure Grizzly Adams reference

[Ken Massingale]

Quantity doesn't necessarily reflect quality the same as having the most tools does not automatically make one a craftsman...

Quality post have to be determined by content as quality woodwork has to be determined by final results. Quality cannot be disquised by esculation of quanity.

Regards...

Couldn't said it better, Sarge.

I don't care how many post someone has, if he/she can't or won't show real evidence of their work, share their shop photos, pics of the work in progress, etc., they have no credibility to me.
Don't tell me theory that can be researched and posted as one's own knowledge, show me work you've really done it and I'll show the respect that's deserved, regardless of post count.

[Stytooner]

Really? This actually works?

(Off to count my money. Don't got much now, but if I hurry I'll have maybe ten grand by bedtime and ought to be a millionaire well before Christmas ... )

Opps. I edited to fix some spelling and syntax and wound up changing the meaning.
What I meant was...
'Posting about post counts is kinda like counting your money, and you wind up with one more dollar every time you count it."

Kind of a silly analogy anyway, but it did cause me to increase my post count.

[Tom Miller]

After a good night's sleep, I'm feeling a little less squirrely. So, I thought I'd add a few useful (less useless?) comments to redeem myself.

For me, post count has less and less meaning the longer I'm active in a forum. Once I get to know the members, a higher count has less meaning. A lower count, on the other hand (and I'm talking way under 100), may help me to tailor a response, as that poster might not be as wise in the ways of the foibles of the BT3x as others.

Regarding Monte -- I was just getting to "know" him when he hit the 5000 mark, and took his newly appointed "Forum Windbag" title with such good nature. I chose my current title while we were ribbing him, but now I keep it as my little homage. It reminds me, among other things, to take the time to encourage others.

I've been on forums that use a "rep" rating, but again, it's not as useful after I've been around a while. However, I agree with Loring that it's a great way of letting someone know you appreciated their input.

Regards,
Tom

[jAngiel]

The only time I think the post count means anything to me is when I see something in the bargin forum from someone recommending we go try something and it's their first post. That ususally tells me to ignore it.

[Jim Boyd]

Wow Loring, you talk alot! I'm with jAngiel and mainly use it on the bargin section.

[LCHIEN]

Wow Loring, you talk alot! I'm with jAngiel and mainly use it on the bargin section.

Jim, I always try to post real short answers first then I get hit with the ten character minimum so the next thing you know...