Suggestion: Hiding Post Count

Hill-Shatar · Post by **Hill-Shatar** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 11:49 pm

A while ago in SYM, there was a thread brought up about removing post count, which was later softened to hiding post count, which is something I've seen implemented on another forum myself. The suggestion itself involves giving user's the optional ability (so if you don't want to use it, don't) ability to hide post counts whenever they post.

I don't really see the down side to such an addition, since if you don't want to use it, you don't have to, and post counts could still be found in the profile page. Is it possible to include this?

On the thread, I humbly ask that we leave custom titles out of this thread, eh?

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 2:31 am

I would like to see post count elimated completely.

But, I certainly think that hiding post count would be a good second choice.

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 5:34 am

I agree with DW, I would like to see the post count removed entirely in order to exclude all possibilities of reinforcement for post-farming. I also agree that hiding it would be the second best option.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:22 am

Works for me, too, and I've suggested as much, before. I can't see any benefit to keeping post counts.

Rookierookie · Post by **Rookierookie** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 7:58 am

I fail to see the benefits of eliminating post counts, myself. Hiding them would be neither here nor there.

Magrus · Post by **Magrus** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 8:16 am

I couldn't care either way. Frankly, I post when I wish to, as often as I wish to, without regards as to how it affects my post count. If that's once a week, or 100 times a day, *shrugs* what should it matter? I think a number of people seem to assume the fact people post a lot has to do with them wanting to be bumping up their post counts. I don't think changing post count options will change that for the most part. The post count function was shut off on the "spam" section of the last board I helped run, to keep it from affecting post count, and that didn't affect the rate at which people kept spamming at all.

Rookierookie · Post by **Rookierookie** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 10:10 am

[QUOTE=Magrus]I couldn't care either way. Frankly, I post when I wish to, as often as I wish to, without regards as to how it affects my post count. If that's once a week, or 100 times a day, *shrugs* what should it matter? I think a number of people seem to assume the fact people post a lot has to do with them wanting to be bumping up their post counts. I don't think changing post count options will change that for the most part. The post count function was shut off on the "spam" section of the last board I helped run, to keep it from affecting post count, and that didn't affect the rate at which people kept spamming at all.[/QUOTE]
And brings topics about "How can I see my post count?"

Magrus · Post by **Magrus** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 10:23 am

[QUOTE=Rookierookie]And brings topics about "How can I see my post count?"[/QUOTE]

*nods* There will always be problems with whatever you do, so, is it worth it to try something new and have new problems, or deal with the old ones? I suppose that would be the real question in regards to someone taking the time to implement a change.

Kipi · Post by **Kipi** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 1:44 pm

Hmmm... hiding would be okay to me, since it leaves me an option to see post counts if I want to... even though I can't think right now any reasons to do that...

So, I'm on with the idea.

Hill-Shatar · Post by **Hill-Shatar** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 3:37 pm

[QUOTE=dragon wench]I would like to see post count elimated completely.

But, I certainly think that hiding post count would be a good second choice.

[/QUOTE]

That was the original suggestion, but I softened it to hiding post counts, as if I remember there was strong opposition to the more extreme option. Compromising, here.

[QUOTE=Rookierookie]And brings topics about "How can I see my post count?"[/QUOTE]

I'm going to redirect you to the word 'optional' in the first paragraph of the first post.

The other board had it set that you could still see it in people's profiles.

[QUOTE=Magrus]
I think a number of people seem to assume the fact people post a lot has to do with them wanting to be bumping up their post counts. I don't think changing post count options will change that for the most part.[/QUOTE]

What does people post farming have to do with hiding post counts? Nothing really, since if those people cared so much about them they would leave the option off.

Magrus · Post by **Magrus** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 3:54 pm

[QUOTE=Hill-Shatar]What does people post farming have to do with hiding post counts? Nothing really, since if those people cared so much about them they would leave the option off.

[/QUOTE]

Why ask me? I didn't bring it up. It was mentioned in every thread started in regards to post count being eliminated, including this one:

[QUOTE=C Elegans]I agree with DW, I would like to see the post count removed entirely in order to exclude all possibilities of reinforcement for post-farming. I also agree that hiding it would be the second best option.[/QUOTE]

I merely countered the fact that getting rid of post count won't fix the fact that some people just posta lot to post a lot, regardless of content.

dj_venom · Post by **dj_venom** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 8:09 pm

I agree with Hill's statements, the key point being optional. If you don't like the idea, you don't have to use it (I probably won't be using it if implemented).

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:16 am

I'd be for removing the post count bar none.
I see no reason for why a post count should even be visible and why posts should be counted for anything but statistical information for the boardadministrators.

Denethorn · Post by **Denethorn** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:37 am

[QUOTE=Xandax]I'd be for removing the post count bar none.
I see no reason for why a post count should even be visible and why posts should be counted for anything but statistical information for the boardadministrators.[/QUOTE]

Because it is one of the few measures of a user's experiance/wisdom etc. It is incredibly flawed in that respect, and more than likely useless for such analysis - but its 'the next best thing' on the internet where other characteristics are indeterminable.

While many people claim that a user's post content is far more important than post count, I can recall distinct situations where on a build-your-own-PC forum I would greatly the appreciate the advice of a user with a high post count when compared to that with a user who authored only a dozen responses.

I can provide more detailed argument for keeping post counts, but I don't mind it becoming optional. Whether I hide it or not would be based on my mood, and is mostly preference. GB does not suffer to much in terms of post farming except for in SYM where is condoned/encouraged, therefore I can see no real reason to have it removed.

mr_sir · Post by **mr_sir** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:20 am

i have no problems with the post count being removed. it was helpful when i first came to the board as you could sort of see who the people were who knew a lot about rpgs etc. but after a while you soon pick up on who seems to know what they are talking about. also, quite a few new posters know a lot about what they are talking about so you can't just dismiss them because of a low post count.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:18 am

[QUOTE=Denethorn]Because it is one of the few measures of a user's experiance/wisdom etc. It is incredibly flawed in that respect, and more than likely useless for such analysis - but its 'the next best thing' on the internet where other characteristics are indeterminable.

While many people claim that a user's post content is far more important than post count, I can recall distinct situations where on a build-your-own-PC forum I would greatly the appreciate the advice of a user with a high post count when compared to that with a user who authored only a dozen responses.

I can provide more detailed argument for keeping post counts, but I don't mind it becoming optional. Whether I hide it or not would be based on my mood, and is mostly preference. GB does not suffer to much in terms of post farming except for in SYM where is condoned/encouraged, therefore I can see no real reason to have it removed.[/QUOTE]

I would be one of the people that claim post content is more imporant then post count. I would never take the advice of somebody who wrote rubbishly in a post over somebody who wrote sensible and comprehensible, irregardless of postcount between the two.

Advice can be given which is wrong irregardless of how long time a person has been or how much he has posted at any forum, just as well as a first poster can post perfect advice. So I find that as a validation or "security"/"correctness" factor as very flawed.
Infact - I find it much more dangerous to discard potential great advice due to postcount over potential not so great advice, as just another reason to simply remove postcount.

If such validation is needed, a member-ranking system is needed, and not postcount, but that is just as easy to abuse as anything else.

Denethorn · Post by **Denethorn** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:32 am

I did not deny that the "security/correctness" factor of post counts can be very flawed - equally so they can be a true reflection of a member's status within a community.

It is up to the reader to determine the integrity of a post's content - without knowing the poster personally I think people draw (actively or subconsciously) on things such as post count, account age etc. True I would also place spelling, punctuation and grammar as being far more influential on my opinion of a member than post count. But in the case of receiving two pieces of differing advice - both posts equal in length and quality but with different post counts, I would think most people would place more faith in the advice from a user with higher post count. It's just natural to follow someone with greater experiance - and this is how it parallels in the internet world.

Not saying its a correct approach, just making a point.

Rookierookie · Post by **Rookierookie** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:45 am

May I ask, what would be improved after removing or hiding post counts? Because if there isn't a solid and strong enough reason to remove them, then there is no point bothering to do so.

Remember, immediately after hiding post counts there are almost certainly going to be threads asking "what happened to the post count?", and threads will continually pop up from newcomers about "How can I see my post count?"

On the other hand, I don't see how removing or hiding post count would solve any problems. I don't think I've ever seen a single post in Gamebanshee made for the purpose of post farming, alone. If doing something doesn't solve any problems, then why do it?

Luis Antonio · Post by **Luis Antonio** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:08 am

I like postcount, and I like ranking sistems. But I think that this whole issue with postfarming can (not necessarily would) be solved by removing postcount. You can remove postcounts, I dont care, cause I post here for pleasure, not to attain the biggest number of posts.

Hill-Shatar · Post by **Hill-Shatar** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:29 pm

I'm not sure where this is going, but already this has spiraled into a new thread for suggesting the removing of post counts entirely, instead of just hiding them. As seen, there is strong opposition for both.

May I ask, what would be improved after removing or hiding post counts? Because if there isn't a solid and strong enough reason to remove them, then there is no point bothering to do so.

There's no reason not to, and just because we don't have the ability to see into the future doesn't mean there might be positive results that are yet unseen. Post count will be post count, but some members hiding it might be a useful addition, especially those who have a heart attack upon seeing fable enter a thread.

Remember, immediately after hiding post counts there are almost certainly going to be threads asking "what happened to the post count?", and threads will continually pop up from newcomers about "How can I see my post count?"

The suggestion itself involves giving user's the optional ability (so if you don't want to use it, don't) ability to hide post counts whenever they post.

This means that it would not be automatically checked off in your profile, I suppose, and does not have to be used. It is just another addition to the forum that I would be interested in seeing added.

Basically, you start off with a visible post count in both your profile and your posts. Then, when you hit the check box, it disappears from your posts and not from your profile. Clicking the button again will get it to reappear. It's more cosmetic than anything.

On the other hand, I don't see how removing or hiding post count would solve any problems. I don't think I've ever seen a single post in Gamebanshee made for the purpose of post farming, alone. If doing something doesn't solve any problems, then why do it?

One, we have no where to go but up with a single addition to the forum, and there will be no adverse effects. How often have you found threads in here with the post ranking question?

Two, there is postfarming. For example, word assosiation recently popped up, and since this is an option, would do nothing but make the newer members there for the post counts sort of nervous about dealing with a bunch of oldies who could care less of post count.