Remove Post Counts

[TheUncanny]

Why is it that people feel the need to wear their post counts? To me, it seems to promote a “status-based” sort of community more than anything else, which in my opinion is something that takes away from the forum. Sure, most of us would agree that it’s more or less insignificant, and that it may not even be worth debating over (or so it seems). Nevertheless, whether or not you want to admit it, people still have a tendency of seeing one’s post count as an indicator of that person’s “place” within the community, even if in an unspoken manner. After all, if that number was truly as insignificant as we all say it is, why is it that posts in the Senseless Banter forum do not count towards one’s displayed post count, eh? The question isn’t whether or that little number is seen and/or used as a status symbol by forum goers, the question is if that is something we should be perpetuating here at Dream Views? Most of us probably think such a thing is silly, and maybe even worth criticizing me for since its such a trivial concern…but of those people, especially those of you with relatively high post counts, who of you would actually erase/reset that number if you were given the option? Who of you could honestly say you be indifferent if one day your post count was just gone and you couldn’t get it back? Not many I’m betting. This is why I am proposing that an individual’s post count be relocated within that person’s profile, and not right under their avatar like some sort of merit badge. Or, at the very least, there should be an option allowing you the option of whether or not you want your post count displayed (as it is with your age and such). In fact, Id find it interesting just to see who would actually choose to display their post count… Even right now as you read this very message, I’m betting some of you are looking at my post count and formulating judgments about me, and perhaps even about why I’m writing this (ex. “only 100 posts huh? He’s just a n00b/ just jealous). But perhaps if you knew that, in the past, I had abandoned my SN of 3 years and a 4600+ post count simply because of the way I feel about this issue, you would understand just how serious I am about this. So what do you all think? I know I’m going run into a bit of resistance over this, especially of those with “impressive” post counts. I must admit that I am curious as to how they are going to explain themselves. If my experience has taught me anything, these people will play down the importance of the post count, while simultaneously advocating we keep it for some “unrelated” reason. I don’t know, too many forum goers are just too caught up with their post count, which has a way of making other people caught up in it as well (like myself). And even though you tend to get the whole “it’s not really important” from those who happen to have large post counts, it seems that these people are the most attached to that number. It’s like the larger the number, the more it becomes a part of “them”. And a lot of time they don’t even realize how attached to that number they really are until it becomes jeopardized. I was once a friend with a person like this at the forum I used to go to before this one. He was, no doubt, the most prominent and respected person at the website, even more so that the owner. He had been there since the very beginning. He also had the largest post count, close to 9000 if I remember correctly. And as I said before, he was a good friend of mine. He was smart, nice, funny as hell, wise, all of that good stuff. Well, one day something happened with his account and it was just gone. He had to make a second account. Surprisingly and unfortunately this caused him a great deal of grief, not having this number under his name. He pleaded with the owner until it was restored, and it made me question everything I knew about him. How could a person of his caliber be so…shallow? Nothing about him seemed to fit the profile of someone who was concerned with how many posts he had,he himself had criticized its imporance on several occasions. And keep in mind his posts weren’t restored, seeing as they were still there under his old SN, which now had the custom title of “guest”…it was just the number he was concerned about. (sorry a bit of track) Proposition: Relocate post count to user profile and/or create an option for displaying post count. Reasoning: As it is set up now, it promotes discrimination, immaturity, and a false sense of superiority/inferiority. Plus, I see no good reason to keep it as it is besides apathy over this issue, which is all the more reason to stop reinforcing the significance of the post count anyway.

[Adam]

I think those that worry about it, post about it..... Actually what I mean is, I'm sure people don't view it as this... I don't know.... (adds to post count lol)

[TheUncanny]

then there shouldn't be a problem with doing this. But the thing is that a lot of people do, and thats exactly what I want to stop. *cough* http://dreamviews.com/community/showthread.php?t=40296 *cough*

[Oneironaught]

Do I smell a hint of jealousy? You misunderstand what the post count is about. First of all, you say it's not important yet you're fighting to have it changed. Secondly, the post counter simply displays a member's relative involvement. It has nothing to do with status or contribution to the site's overall well-being and advancement. If you feel it does then you're the one that feels that way. Sure, it matters to some people and it gets brought up from time to time but so what? What matters is what that member posts. And that can only be determined by the reader, as it's quite subjective. Now, if you want the member's "status" within the community, we need the rep system I mentioned in another thread. There's a perfectly good rep system available for the vBulletin software. To me, it seems to promote a “status-based” sort of community more than anything else, which in my opinion is something that takes away from the forum. But you'll find that anywhere, with post counters or not. The only time when perceived status becomes an issue is when it's made into one, like now. After all, if that number was truly as insignificant as we all say it is, why is it that posts in the Senseless Banter forum do not count towards one’s displayed post count, eh? I'm glad you asked. Pull up a seat. The posts aren't tallied in there because of the very same thing you're complaining about. It's so that senseless, BS posts are "artificially" increasing a members post count. The current system is set up so that credit for "meaningless" posts aren't tallied to look like a given member has a higher perceived status, or contribution level to the site. I know I’m going run into a bit of resistance over this, especially of those with “impressive” post counts. I'll bet you're right. I must admit that I am curious as to how they are going to explain themselves. If my experience has taught me anything, these people will play down the importance of the post count, while simultaneously advocating we keep it for some “unrelated” reason. [re-quote=only the bolded parts have been changed] I must admit that I am curious as to how they are going to explain themselves. If my experience has taught me anything, these people will play down the importance of the post count, while simultaneously advocating we [not] keep it for some “unrelated” reason.[/re-quote] Notice how what you're doing is the exact same thing you're complaining about, only in reverse, for the other team. I don’t know, forum goers are just too caught up with their post count, and in a bad way. Where exactly is this a problem? Who is running around making post count an issue? He was, no doubt, the most prominent and respected person at the website, even more so that the owner. Do you realize that you are almost as - if not more - prominent than the owner of this very site right now? Proposition: Relocate post count to user profile and/or create an option for displaying post count. Whatever happens with the issue, or rather, NON-issue? I just don't see why it matters. This forum has had post counts on display forever. Now you get offended because others have a higher post count? You can tell how a person is by reading what they post. You learn their status by how other members relate to them. Some people go on posting rampages sometimes (myself included) but, I at least try to put something of meaning or use in at least most of my posts where counts are on. Reasoning: As it is set up now, it promotes discrimination, immaturity, and a false sense of superiority/inferiority. And you really think that no longer displaying post counts would make people act more mature? Think again. Plus, I see no good reason to keep it as it is besides apathy over this issue... Honestly, I could see the same reasoning being used to argue not changing things. EDIT: *cough* http://dreamviews.com/community/showthread.php?t=40296 *cough* Give me a break. You're going to use my bringing up awareness that people need to learn multi-quoting and to use the edit button as a sign that we need a forum change of that kind? That's about etiquette and forum rules. Surely you can't be comparing those traits to your issue of members having perceived status. These are two different issues.

[Mes Tarrant]

I can think of a few examples right now of certain members who had high post count but no status, at least no respectable status. People who I admire on here, who I consider my friends, all have very varying post counts. It's what impression you build around yourself that matters. It's not like you magically become a mod or something after some number.

[Caradon]

WOW! That was a great break down of the subject. Well.. when I look at a post count, I don't really think of it as a status. It just tells me how active the person is on the site, in relation to how long they have been here. When I look at the stars under a members name, I think of status.

[Dallian]

I read the first two sentences of the initial post, and the post above me. To that statement IN the first two sentences, ethen, yes, we are all posting whores who try as hard as we can to post anywhere and everywhere about nothing. I'm beating you at the game right now. (Who gives a flip??)

[Man of Steel]

Let me just say that you are, as Oneironaught pointed out much more eloquently, just making an issue where there is none. Few of us care one whit about post counts, or the like. If you don't like post counts, only post in Senseless Banter.

[Goldney]

I'm divided on this matter, some of me thinks that post counts do matter and have a certain status in DreamViews, whereas the other part (majority) rates a person on how well I know them, and from an image built up around what they post about.

[dodobird]

The post count is a very inaccurate, but still effective way to show how much you contributed to the forum. If you wrote thousands of posts, you want a little trophy. It's not shallow, it's human. We are not all Buddha's or Jesus's. Plus it helps to tell the credibility of the posts. Again this is very inaccurate, but it can tell you something. In most cases posts of people with higher post counts and older join dates will be more reliable. Also, I think it's fine that there is a bit of a status thing in the community. It makes things more interesting. It adds drama. If you don't know what I mean I can think a little and write examples of what I'm talking about.

[ExoByte]

Posts counts hardly hold any status to people in the community. There are people here with large post counts that are disliked, ill-respected, and even some whos names just don't stand out. Where as there are those with low post counts, who are very well known and respected. In this thread alone, Dodobird, goldney, an AdamA, are great parts of our community. They haven't even hit 1000 posts yet. Whats the big deal? As for Oneironaught, wonderful break down. He is entirely correct. The part that gets me, that I fail to see brought up so far however, is that you are judging our community. You're also trying to put this safe shield around you, saying that if we judge you its because of your post count. No, its because you clearly don't understand the community, and haven't been a part of it in the same way many else have, low and high counts alike, and yet are judging it, assuming the position that you know whats right for it and whats not. Not to mention near the end of your post you are comparing our community to another. Just because you have an experience in one community doesn't mean it'll me the same here. You can't base our community on another, it doesn't work that way. Here 'status' is held by how you contribute to the community. Many of these people just happen to have a high post count. As many have said, you're only making it an issue.

[Howie]

It is quality not quantity IMO. It is more important to say something meaningful . When you get old \\\\ I mean.. when you have been around for a long time, you have both. :p

[TheUncanny]

Do I smell a hint of jealousy? You misunderstand what the post count is about. First of all, you say it's not important yet you're fighting to have it changed. Secondly, the post counter simply displays a member's relative involvement. It has nothing to do with status or contribution to the site's overall well-being and advancement. If you feel it does then you're the one that feels that way. Sure, it matters to some people and it gets brought up from time to time but so what? I suppose it was too much to expect for people to not just assume I was jealous. Tell me, despite the reasoning I put forward, why would you jump to that conclusion unless what I was saying was at least a little accurate? To be honest, it was your “Double Posters” thread that spurred this on, that’s why I quoted it. Technically it was a concern of yours too, seeing as you brought it up (and seeing as you are now posting in this discussion). Youre like me in the sense that this issue only conerns you when it gets more concern than what it deserves. But what you didn't seem to realize is that this is an issue initself, one I was trying to solve ironically. What matters is what that member posts. And that can only be determined by the reader, as it's quite subjective. Now, if you want the member's "status" within the community, we need the rep system I mentioned in another thread. There's a perfectly good rep system available for the vBulletin software. But you'll find that anywhere, with post counters or not. The only time when perceived status becomes an issue is when it's made into one, like now. I agree, this sort of thing happens at just about any forum, including this one. However, simply because I chose to talk about it doesn’t mean it wasn’t an issue before hand. If that were true, I could just as easily say you made it an issue, and I’m trying to solve it. Afterall, you yourself have done your fair share of making this an issue, have you not? I'm glad you asked. Pull up a seat. The posts aren't tallied in there because of the very same thing you're complaining about. It's so that senseless, BS posts are "artificially" increasing a members post count. The current system is set up so that credit for "meaningless" posts aren't tallied to look like a given member has a higher perceived status, or contribution level to the site. Perceived status is exactly what I’m talking about. Can’t you see the double standard here? On one hand you say it has nothing to do with the number, yet on the other hand you defend the practice of not letting senseless banter posts add to their number. It’s clear you see a persons post count as something that holds a significant degree of relevance, otherwise there would be no point in separating which posts count towards ones post count and which ones do not. I’m not crazy right? I'll bet you're right. Me too lol Notice how what you're doing is the exact same thing you're complaining about… Couldn’t I say the same about you? Where exactly is this a problem? Who is running around making post count an issue? You for one. And everybody who decided to it was a big enough issue to contribute their opinion on the matter, wouldn’t you say? It’s really not that big of a deal, I just don’t like what it encourages is all. Sue me. Do you realize that you are almost as - if not more - prominent than the owner of this very site right now? Well if it is, it’s only because of what I post, and not how many times I have posted, as I’m sure everyone here will agree. Tell me, why is it so fucking taboo for me to want to make that an easier thing for other people to do? Whatever happens with the issue, or rather, NON-issue? I just don't see why it matters. This forum has had post counts on display forever. Now you get offended because others have a higher post count? You can tell how a person is by reading what they post. You learn their status by how other members relate to them. Some people go on posting rampages sometimes (myself included) but, I at least try to put something of meaning or use in at least most of my posts where counts are on. Ok, let me clear something up right here and now. I’m not offended by people who have large posts counts. That’s one of the most ridiculous things I think I’ve ever heard you say. The fact that you even said that makes me wonder. And you really think that no longer displaying post counts would make people act more mature? Think again. It couldn’t hurt. It would only make post count less of an issue. Give me a break. You're going to use my bringing up awareness that people need to learn multi-quoting and to use the edit button as a sign that we need a forum change of that kind? That's about etiquette and forum rules. Surely you can't be comparing those traits to your issue of members having perceived status. These are two different issues. Except for the fact that you quickly brought up your concern about how you didn’t want people padding their posts counts. I didn’t mean to single you out, honestly, it was that topic that made me want to make this proposition. ________________________________________ ________________________________________ I can think of a few examples right now of certain members who had high post count but no status, at least no respectable status. People who I admire on here, who I consider my friends, all have very varying post counts. It's what impression you build around yourself that matters. It's not like you magically become a mod or something some number. And that’s not why I was implying. ________________________________________ ________________________________________ I read the first two sentences of the initial post, and the post above me. To that statement IN the first two sentences, ethen, yes, we are all posting whores who try as hard as we can to post anywhere and everywhere about nothing. I'm beating you at the game right now. (Who gives a flip??) Well, I would say you because you gave a flip enough to address this thread. If you really didn’t give a flip, and I mean really, I don’t see why you would have wasted your time by posting anything. ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Let me just say that you are, as Oneironaught pointed out much more eloquently, just making an issue where there is none. Few of us care one whit about post counts, or the like. If you don't like post counts, only post in Senseless Banter. I’m not making it any moreof an issue anymore than you are by discussing it...because that all we both are doing. I’m just bringing up an underlying issue no one likes to talk about. And its not the post counts I have a problem with, it’s the way people tend to see them that is the problem here. I know not everyone is like this, but many are. And its not just this forum, its virtually every forum with this sort of layout. ________________________________________ ________________________________________ I'm divided on this matter, some of me thinks that post counts do matter and have a certain status in Dream Views, whereas the other part (majority) rates a person on how well I know them, and from an image built up around what they post about. Thank you. At least someone admitted that post count does play a role in a users status, to some degree. We all know its a little true... ________________________________________ ________________________________________ The post count is a very inaccurate, but still effective way to show how much you contributed to the forum. If you wrote thousands of posts, you want a little trophy. It's not shallow, it's human. We are not all Buddha's or Jesus's. Well now I’m confused. Do people care about their post count or do they not?? It’s my opinion that, despite what has been said, most people do. To what degree I cannot say for certain, Im sure some care ofr it much more than others, but never the less, I don’t see why I’m getting so much resistance if it weren't an issue at all. Be honest, who could care less if they had a post count? And of those people, who here is willing put their money where their mouth is? I didnt think so. Plus it helps to tell the credibility of the posts. Again this is very inaccurate, but it can tell you something. In most cases posts of people with higher post counts and older join dates will be more reliable. No it doesn't. A person’s intelligence, experience, and thus credibility has little-to-nothing to do with their post count. All a post count is, or should be, is something that notes how many posts a person has at one specific website. That’s it. The fact that it seems to imply more than that is evidence enough that I'm making a valid point here. Also, I think it's fine that there is a bit of a status thing in the community. It makes things more interesting. It adds drama. If you don't know what I mean I can think a little and write examples of what I'm talking about. So then you admit that it does play a role in a person's status? Thank you. ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Posts counts hardly hold any status to people in the community. There are people here with large post counts that are disliked, ill-respected, and even some whos names just don't stand out. Where as there are those with low post counts, who are very well known and respected. In this thread alone, Dodobird, goldney, an AdamA, are great parts of our community. They haven't even hit 1000 posts yet. Whats the big deal? It’s not a big deal, its just an observation I have seen at every internet forum I have been to, including this one. I’m not a fan of it, what can I say? Apparently other people aren’t either, the only difference is that I’m not afraid to look bad in order to try to do something about it. Frankly, I’m a bit disappointed by the way some of you are reacting to this. [As for Oneironaught, wonderful break down. He is entirely correct. The part that gets me, that I fail to see brought up so far however, is that you are judging our community. You're also trying to put this safe shield around you, saying that if we judge you its because of your post count. No, its because you clearly don't understand the community, and haven't been a part of it in the same way many else have, low and high counts alike, and yet are judging it, assuming the position that you know whats right for it and whats not. Like I said before, it’s not just this community, its just about every online forum I’ve been too. It’s how people tend to be, based off of several forums, including this one. The reason I brought up my post count was because, as Onieronaught demonstrated, people sometimes form judgments based on that number. Did I not call the "your just jealous" comment? lol Maybe I don’t understand this community good enough. I was under the impression that the issue had nothing to do with the specific community... [Not to mention near the end of your post you are comparing our community to another. Just because you have an experience in one community doesn't mean it'll me the same here. You can't base our community on another, it doesn't work that way. Its something I’ve gathered from more than just the one forum. But even still, on the surface it wasn’t a big deal there either, in fact it may have been even less a deal there (simply because it never really came up). In the short time I’ve been here, I have seen it brought up enough to make me wonder if there was something I could do to help. Way to make me out to be an asshole, though… [Here 'status' is held by how you contribute to the community. Many of these people just happen to have a high post count. As many have said, you're only making it an issue. An issue you obviously feel is worth perpetuating. ________________________________________ ________________________________________ It is quality not quantity IMO. It is more important to say something meaningful . When you get old \\\\ I mean.. when you have been around for a long time, you have both. :p Oh I know. It’s not about me wanting more posts, it’s about me not liking the role ones post count tends to play. ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Here’s the kicker, you all are doing exactly what I’m doing, that being only having an interest in the issue because it’s getting more attention than what it deserves. Why none of you have noticed this, I don’t know. It makes me wonder. The point is that simply not talking about it doesn’t mean the issue isn’t there. Clearly you all feel the same way I do, based on the way you all have replied to me…you just don’t seem to say it aloud until someone like me gives you the opportunity. None of you think ones’ post count deserves this sort of attention, right? Well the predicament I found myself in was that I feel its already getting more attention than what it deserves. Unfortunately, in order to change this I had to bring attention to it. What disappoints me is that virtually none of you seemed to realize this, but instead decided to blow me off as part of the problem we all seem to dislike. Tell me, what do you think that tells me about your community and/or this issue within this community? To be honest, I don’t have the motivation to keep discussing the issue at this rate (far too much typing involved with fighting half a dozen people at a time.) It’s not a big enough of an issue to make it worth it…and it’s definitely not as big as you all have “helped me make it”, that’s for sure. It was just an idea I threw out there. I still think it would improve the website, but I no longer think it’s worth the effort to make it happen. It’s just odd that not one person saw the benefit in what I was trying to do. That worries me. I digress...

[LucidDreamGod]

Well all you really have to do to see how much a member contrabutes is look into their past posts a bit the first page or so will tell you alot, a person who says 1 short senstance per post probably isn't the greatest contrabuter to the forum. I do agree with ethen on alot of things but I don't think the post count should be removed, it gives us motivation to post on threads where others might need help to just stop by and give them a bit of advise, I mean as long as you don't spam then it's ok with me.

[TheUncanny]

I don't think it should be removed either, just moved. I must say, im surpised by how big of a deal that actually turned out to be lol

[Oneironaught]

Now there's a lot of meat on that thar post... I'll just skip to the "good" parts. I suppose it was too much to expect for people to not just assume I was jealous. Tell me, despite the reasoning I put forward, why would you jump to that conclusion unless what I was saying was at least a little accurate? The jealousy comment was for your benefit, since you made a big deal to tell us that you weren't jealous. To be honest, it was your “Double Posters” thread that spurred this on, that’s why I quoted it. I pegged that the moment I saw this thread. I didn't comment until I saw you pointing the finger, hence my edit addition in my first post in this thread. Technically it was a concern of yours too, seeing as you brought it up (and seeing as you are now posting in this discussion). Perhaps you've failed - again - to read what that thread was about. People are getting defensive about it but, that thread was about forum etiquette and forum rules. It WAS NOT about post count. I could just as easily say you made it an issue, and I’m trying to solve it. After all, you yourself have done your fair share of making this an issue, have you not? YOU are the one who turned that into a post count issue. My issue is with double-posting. If it was DPing in senseless banter - who cares? Double-posting is double posting. My main issue, to be honest, was with the triple and quadruple posting that's been going on. It never was - nor is it now - about post count. Like I said, you are the one making post count the issue. Perceived status is exactly what I’m talking about. Can’t you see the double standard here? On one hand you say it has nothing to do with the number, yet on the other hand you defend the practice of not letting senseless banter posts add to their number. It’s clear you see a persons post count as something that holds a significant degree of relevance, otherwise there would be no point in separating which posts count towards ones post count and which ones do not. I’m not crazy right? Again, post count only demonstrates a member's relative activity within the forum. Nothing more. Get over it. Let me reitterate once more that the post counter is off in senseless banter because posting things like "Nope, me. I think Neko will post next" is worthy of any sort of recognition with respect to a member's activity level? The count is only a measure of activity: that's all. You for one. And everybody who decided to it was a big enough issue to contribute their opinion on the matter, wouldn’t you say? It’s really not that big of a deal, I just don’t like what it encourages is all. What, you're allowed to talk about it but we all have to just accept your piss-poor logic and unfounded fears and banish the counter system? Sue me. *Sues ethen* Tell me, why is it so fucking taboo for me to want to make that an easier thing for other people to do? Huh? Ok, let me clear something up right here and now. I’m not offended by people who have large posts counts. That’s one of the most ridiculous things I think I’ve ever heard you say. Then you are obviously unfamiliar with my posting :p Of all of the dumb shit I've posted, THAT is the most ridiculous you've heard? It would only make post count less of an issue. Then don't make it the issue. Except for the fact that you quickly brought up your concern about how you didn’t want people padding their posts counts. I didn’t mean to single you out, honestly, it was that topic that made me want to make this proposition. Again, I never "brought up" post count as an issue: At all. Just because some one says the word plane doesn't mean he wants to go skydiving. You're getting separate issues confused as if they were one. They aren't. If you look around the forums you'll find references made by other members in disapproval of multi-posting. Do you know why that is? It's because doing so is frowned upon. You really think you're going to trap me into looking like I live for post count? And, besides, you're honestly letting a nobody like myself sway you into thinking that this non-issue of yours really matters? Even if the count thing was such a big an issue for me - which it's not - do you really think that my statements and opinions matter that much? If so then you are the one with the problem because I don't see any one else caring that much. Thank you. At least someone admitted that post count does play a role in a users status, to some degree. We all know its a little true... The key word is SOME role. But if you rely on a number to choose who your friends are then you need to find a new way to judge people. That minute role is being grossly over exagerated this thread. Well now I’m confused. Do people care about their post count or do they not?? It’s my opinion that, despite what has been said, most people do. One thing's for certain: you care and you care a lot. No it doesn't. A person’s intelligence, experience, and thus credibility has little-to-nothing to do with their post count. All a post count is, or should be, is something that notes how many posts a person has at one specific website. That’s it. So... what's the problem. The fact that it seems to imply more than that is evidence enough that I'm making a valid point here. You are the one making it an issue. No one else seems to have a problem with it. Frankly, I’m a bit disappointed by the way some of you are reacting to this. Well, I'm so sorry that you are having such a hard time with people not jumping on the bandwagon with you. Did I not call the "your just jealous" comment? I thought that would piss you off. I'm kind of pleased I was right. Does that make me a bad person? Way to make me out to be an asshole, though… I'll stand by you on that one. I don't think you're being an asshole at all. I do, however, think you're fighting a non-issue. Words... ... One final comment: If I was so damned obsessed with post count - as you seem to believe - then I'd be out there douple, triple and quadruple posting. But guess what? I don't! So there. :p Speaking of which, damn I could have milked this baby for 5 posts easily. C'mon, post count, show Daddy some love

[TheUncanny]

The jealousy comment was for your benefit, since you made a big deal to tell us that you weren't jealous. Bah, I knew it was too good to be true I pegged that the moment I saw this thread. I didn't comment until I saw you pointing the finger, hence my edit addition in my first post in this thread. I didn’t mean to point fingers. Perhaps you've failed - again - to read what that thread was about. People are getting defensive about it but, that thread was about forum etiquette and forum rules. It WAS NOT about post count. Did you or did you not say the following: I wouldn't say it's upsetting people. I only mention it because I've seen at least 6 different members doing quite a bit of it lately and, rather than try to explain the multi-quote button to each individually, I figured I'd make this topic. I get the impression that some people aren't even aware of what that multi-quote button even does. It's also possible that some people do it to milk their post counts. But, really, there's no need to have three and four posts back to back within 3 minutes when one would have worked just fine. It happens sometimes, I understand. But when it's habit then it just shows laziness. Keep in mind I know it wasn’t the main issue, but the issue came up. Also keep in mind that your topic wasnt the only thing that made me want to post this topic, there were a few and yours happened to be the most recent. Also...keep in mind this wasnt supposed to be a big issue, just a suggestion for a small problem. But things have a way of getting bent all out of proportion when people get critical over a small issue, ***no matter what side you find yourself on.*** YOU are the one who turned that into a post count issue. My issue is with double-posting. If it was DPing in senseless banter - who cares? Double-posting is double posting. My main issue, to be honest, was with the triple and quadruple posting that's been going on. I know, and I didn’t mean to make it seem like post count was the main issue. It never was - nor is it now - about post count. Like I said, you are the one making post count the issue. In all fairness, if talking about post count being an issue makes it an issue, then you too are making it even more of an issue by debating me over it. Again, post count only demonstrates a member's relative activity within the forum. Nothing more. Get over it. No, that’s all it should be. If that was all there was to it, then there would be no reason to determine what activity counts as notable activity, seeing as activity is activity regardless of where. But, since we choose which activity is worthy of recognition, that inherently make ones post count a status thing. What, you're allowed to talk about it but we all have to just accept your piss-poor logic and unfounded fears and banish the counter system? Banish huh? I could have sworn I said “relocate”. And who are we kidding, my logic is quite good *Sues ethen* God not again! Huh? The only reason this topic has gotten so much attention, as opposed to some other “pointless suggestion”, is because the issue of "caring about post counts" is a taboo one. Like you said, its an unspoken thing, but it’s a thing nonetheless. [edit] Case in point, the "tiny matter: identical icons" thread. Also a small matter, and even more pointless than my own concern...yet you don't see anyone bustin' his balls from making it, do you? Then you are obviously unfamiliar with my posting :p Of all of the dumb shit I've posted, THAT is the most ridiculous you've heard? … Then don't make it the issue. You’re not making it any less of an issue, that’s for sure. Take it from me, fighting the issue by posting about it only makes you liable for making it a bigger issue. Oh the irony!! Again, I never "brought up" post count as an issue: At all. Just because some one says the word plane doesn't mean he wants to go skydiving. You're getting separate issues confused as if they were one. They aren't. Yes you did. The quote is right there. I know it was just a tangent, but the implications were clear; post fluffing bothers you. Its ok, it bothers me too lol. If you look around the forums you'll find references made by other members in disapproval of multi-posting. Do you know why that is? It's because doing so is frowned upon. You really think you're going to trap me into looking like I live for post count? No, but you may trap yourself. It seems to be happening to me... And, besides, you're honestly letting a nobody like myself sway you into thinking that this non-issue of yours really matters? Even if the count thing was such a big an issue for me - which it's not - do you really think that my statements and opinions matter that much? If so then you are the one with the problem because I don't see any one else caring that much. You care enough to debate the issue, which means you care enough to bring even more attention to the issue...only to ridicule it for not being worthy of concern. The truth is that what you’re doing isn’t really all that different than what I’m doing. The key word is SOME role. But if you rely on a number to choose who your friends are then you need to find a new way to judge people. That minute role is being grossly over exagerated this thread. Perhaps, but it’s bound to seem that way when you make a topic on it. It wasn’t my intention to make it a bigger deal than what it is. On the contrary my goal was to make it even less of an issue, but in order to do that I had to temporarily make it an issue. It’s important not to ignore the motivation behind all of this, otherwise I just look like the fool I'm not. One thing's for certain: you care and you care a lot. Oh give me break. I care about it in the same way you do. I care in the sense that I don’t like it. In fact, my dislike is enough to for me to write about it, like you. Enough with your self-righteousness, you are doing exactly what I am doing…I just happened to have started it So... what's the problem. The problem is that people make the implications anyway, and I wanted to curb that habit. You are the one making it an issue. And you are the one helping me, by having a problem with me having a problem about something you claim you don’t have a problem with. But you do, which is why you have a problem with me having this problem. Problem solved? Well, I'm so sorry that you are having such a hard time with people not jumping on the bandwagon with you. Thank you. I thought that would piss you off. I'm kind of pleased I was right. Does that make me a bad person? Oh my yes. I'll stand by you on that one. I don't think you're being an asshole at all. I do, however, think you're fighting a non-issue. Ill give you the benefit of the doubt. But tell me, if me debating a non-issue is foolish (or whatever), what does that say about the person who fights the fool who debates the non-issue? hahahehehoetc One final comment: If I was so damned obsessed with post count - as you seem to believe - then I'd be out there douple, triple and quadruple posting. But guess what? I don't! So there. :p Speaking of which, damn I could have milked this baby for 5 posts easily. C'mon, post count, show Daddy some love Couldn’t I say the same? We have a lot in common, Lets be friends!

[Oneironaught]

Alright, we've gone from crazy to outright hilarious Did you or did you not say the following: It's also possible that some people do it to milk their post counts. Well, yah! I most certainly did say that. I said that because that's a possible reason that some people may decide to make a separate post for each quote. But where in that do you get that I'm yelling about post counts? Once again, you're trying to lump two separate issues into the same basket. My point was that the reason for doing so doesn't really matter. Keep in mind I know it wasn’t the main issue, but the issue came up. Yes, keep that in mind. In fact, keep in mind that that isn't THE issue at all. I've already stated my issue and it's clearly not the same issue you raise. Whether anybody multi-posts for the sake of a number means nothing. My point was that members should make use of the tools available in the forum software and post like it's meant to be done. So what if people sometimes double-post. Just don't let it be your standard modus operandi or it starts to get old and annoying. In all fairness, if talking about post count being an issue makes it an issue, then you too are making it even more of an issue by debating me over it. Perhaps. But I'm also trying to address your concerns about the issue. If no one counters or even discusses what you've presented then how is it a worthy topic at all? But, since we choose which activity is worthy of recognition, that inherently make ones post count a status thing. How much more plainly can I state that the reason post count is off in senseless banter has nothing to do with what you seem to think it does. It is so because it's a way to separate how much a given member participates in the body of the forum from the goof-off and BS sessions that comprise the Senseless Banter forum. Remember this is a forum about lucid dreaming, not about how pretty the avatar of the poster above you is. The playful areas are fine but, you can't claim that the reason they don't contribute to the post count is because post counts add status. That's absurd. The reason they don't count is because that area adds nothing to the forum's purpose other than a place to kick back and have fun. There's a big difference between "status" and "adds nothing of lasting value to the forum". Banish huh? I could have sworn I said “relocate”. And who are we kidding, my logic is quite good You did but, you want to banish the display of the count. And, no, your logic really isn't all that sound. Not as far as I can see at least. I may be wrong. You’re not making it any less of an issue, that’s for sure. Take it from me, fighting the issue by posting about it only makes you liable for making it a bigger issue. Oh the irony!! Oh, boy. I'm making it a big issue! This is a place for discussion: you say one thing and I countered it. I'd expect every one here to do the same when I raise issues. If it's worthy of discussion then it should be discussed. You raised a non-issue and I felt that it was indeed a non-issue so, viola... here I am discussing it with you. Yes you did. The quote is right there. I know it was just a tangent, but the implications were clear; post fluffing bothers you. Its ok, it bothers me too lol. But that's were you are wrong. It doesn't bother me in the least. You are the only one who appears bothered by it. No, but you may trap yourself. It seems to be happening to me... Yeah, you do seem to be going down rather quickly. However, since I don't have a problem with it, I don't see myself getting tangled up in my own web. Trust me, I screw up enough that this is the farthest thing from my pool of concerns with respect to trapping myself. Perhaps, but it’s bound to seem that way when you make a topic on it. ... And the wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round... Look, let me spell this out one more time... You may perceive that to be what my topic was about (which you already have convinced yourself of) but, dammit, it's not so quit playing these games with me. I'm tired of it. Enough with your self-righteousness... Now, I can't reasonably argue you on that point. I am self-righteous. I don't particularly like that about myself. But don't overlook that I'm also very honest and forthright. I don't play games; I speak my mind, whether others like it or not. You won't always like what I have to say but I can guarantee that you'll never have to wonder where I stand on things. But tell me, if me debating a non-issue is foolish (or whatever), what does that say about the person who fights the fool who debates the non-issue? hahahehehoetc You so funny. *slaps ethen for fun* Couldn’t I say the same? We have a lot in common, Lets be friends! I thought we were friends. You know, people often get the wrong idea about me. Some people think that I'm out to ba an @sshole or to rain on people's parade but that's not it at all. I truly want to be friends with every member here. But don't mistake my desire to be friends and to be kind for a willingness to be a passive bystander. Every member here probably knows by now that I'm not going to pussyfoot around. I don't have time to kiss ass or play footsies but, I'll take all the time in the world to be your friend. So, whether people think I'm a mean, selfish pr!ck is beyond my scope of giving a damn. I'm only out to try to do the best I can and to help this forum grow and flourish. If that makes me self-righteous then so be it; I'm a self-righteous SOB. If I sound like an @sshole then I'm sorry. *shakes ethen's hand* I rest my case.

[Moonbeam]

Can someone subtract 1000 from my post number so it looks like I have a life?

[BillyBob]

I vote we don't move it. I don't know about others but I myself look at post count+amount of time since joining the forum as a measure of how useful a persons posts are For example, if I look and see that someone has a thousand posts and just joined this year, I pretty much just skim over anything they're posts might say. Post count only says so much however. In the end it all comes down to how good the member is. (Post count just helps when sizing someone up)

[Mes Tarrant]

For example, if I look and see that someone has a thousand posts and just joined this year, I pretty much just skim over anything they're posts might say. Wow, that's like me. In my defense my post count is high because it is my first summer where I don't have much to do. I'd like to think that my posts are useful.

[Oneironaught]

For example, if I look and see that someone has a thousand posts and just joined this year, I pretty much just skim over anything they're posts might say. See, ethen? My posts don't matter so don't think that every one here believes post count is a status symbol. You may but not every one does.

[BillyBob]

Wow, that's like me. In my defense my post count is high because it is my first summer where I don't have much to do. I'd like to think that my posts are useful. Honestly I've always thought your posts were really good. You see, your the perfect example of what I said at the end there: Post count only says so much however. In the end it all comes down to how good the member is. (Post count just helps when sizing someone up) EDIT: To clarify, What meant in saying "I just skim over their posts" is that I do that at first before I find out whether or not I should actually read them in depth or not. Having a post count is a really simple way of showing you what to most likely expect from any given member

[♥Mark]

Wow, that was a lot of tl;dr. I think of post count+join date as something of a "spam ratio". Take Onironaroughartght here for example. In about four months he's out-posted me by over 200 in my nearly two years' worth of posts (I speak strictly volume wise, of course). Clearly a spammer.

[Mes Tarrant]

Honestly I've always thought your posts were really good. You see, your the perfect example of what I said at the end there: EDIT: To clarify, What meant in saying "I just skim over their posts" is that I do that at first before I find out whether or not I should actually read them in depth or not. Having a post count is a really simple way of showing you what to most likely expect from any given member Teehee. Ah okay, thanks. Mark, I think that most of us with high posts write legitimate stuff. Also, keeping a dream journal on here definitely adds up.