Post Counts on Forums

Discussion in 'Managing Your Online Community' started by Ashley, Aug 8, 2011.

  1. Ashley

    Ashley Regular Member

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    Okay, getting tired so I'm not sure if that was worded properly. But do you think that forum software should have posts counts? I say this could depend on what kind of forum it is, because on Advert forums, you usually need to have so many posts before you even consider advertising your site, and you sometimes also need posts before you can request a service, which I think is to mostly prove that you're not there just to spam the crap out of the place. But for more laid-back forums, like general discussions, I honestly think that a post counter would be necessary, because on laid-back forums like that, a post count is just a bunch of numbers, they don't count for anything.

    So, what are your views on this topic?
     
  2. Fragma

    Fragma Regular Member

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    I don't think displaying a post count is really important, however I do think it's a very good thing for forums to have, as it allows members to see how active each other are. Not hugely important however I think it's nice to see.
     
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  3. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    I agree there Fragma, although it is slightly more important here for example because you need 10 quality posts to be able to advertise here, etc. ;)
     
  4. Brandon

    Brandon Regular Member

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    So are you guys saying you want the post count displayed in our post?
    I have this disabled on my general forums for the same reasons listed above, it's not really important and at least on the xenforo forums, we have trophy points and likes received listed already.
     
  5. Carlos

    Carlos Regular Member

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    Well, at face value it's not important. But it is important because it tells others that not only have you been around for quite some time, but you are a loyal member. For example, your reputation power or the amount of likes holds a lot of weight - it tells others just how powerful your stature is.

    It's like this, I've been here since the site opened. But I could mistake you for not being a loyal member.

    I didn't have a strong reputation at vBulletin, I don't have much likes here or at xenforo - but my name, my likeness holds so much weight that I could make or break others' reputation. For example, when I got banned from vBulletin because of Steve's attitude, I noticed that my reputation power has grown strong. "Will soon become famous."

    Soon after, Steve resigned.

    I'm not bragging, I'm trying to prove a point.

    Post count do matter - It's how you use it that makes others think that it's useless.
     
  6. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    It is needed on this forum because some guidelines require you to have x amount of posts to post a thread, forums like general forums it is only just a number really
     
  7. Brandon

    Brandon Regular Member

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    okay, we'll enable it here :thumbsup:

    This is enabled in the post for now..

    This info is also on all pages in the header next to your avatar O.o
     
  8. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    I know where to find mine, lol it's accessing others quickly though ;)
     
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  9. Brandon

    Brandon Regular Member

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    ah got ya ;)
     
  10. JPM

    JPM Regular Member

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    You should really think before you start typing! No offense, you may have a point but by saying 'I'm not bragging" that's the first thing anyone reading that is going to think.
     
  11. Carlos

    Carlos Regular Member

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    "That's what they're gonna think! BLAH! BLah! BlAH!" Take your negativity elsewhere.

    I don't need your lecture.

    If you don't like what someone says, and you have nothing positive to add, DON'T say anything.

    My point was: Even though that post counts doesn't have a face value, it's place in messageboards speaks volumes. I tried to show examples of how. You, did not even pay attention.

    All you did was try to "1up me" by saying "You should really think before you type!" As if you were looking for a fight.
     
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  12. Brandon

    Brandon Regular Member

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    Take the arguing elsewhere!

    I don't allow this type of stuff on my forums, & I'm not afraid to ban users..

    Please stay on topic

    Ty
     
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  13. Carlos

    Carlos Regular Member

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    Thank you, Brandon. :adminpower:
     
  14. Mufasa

    Mufasa Regular Member

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    Its a difficult one. When i look at a forum, the first thing i look for is the stats to see how many members it has, sometimes i look at the post counts of the forum. No-body wants to join a dead forum. On the other hand, i do agree with you that sometimes its not necessarily ideal to have a post count displayed.
     
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  15. Juice

    Juice Regular Member

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    I don't think it's important showing post count on postbit, but some people like having a big post count.
     
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  16. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    Guys, another point to add is that back seat moderation IS NOT allowed here either as per the rules here: http://admin-talk.com/threads/terms-rules-and-privacy-policy.1/#post-1 If you've got a problem with a post, then please report it before starting an argument at each other, etc. ;)

    I also use this logic when looking/joining forums but I can tell you now that my post count does not bother me as it's not a competition to me to have the highest post count :cool:

    And it's probably these people who just care about their stats and not about the community itself as personally I don't like people who boast out that they have hit x posts all the time and then you find that 9/10 their posts are very low quality :mad:
     
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  17. Ashley

    Ashley Regular Member

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    I think you might be thinking of something like this: Total posts 10,588 • Total topics 1,108 • Total members 169 as a random example. The overall stats are not what I'm referring to. What I'm talking about are the individual post counts, like who has five posts, who has ten posts, etc. I too look at how recent posts are when I consider joining up with a new forum and whatever. However, I do think that individual post counts could be more or less important. As Ash has said, and this could apply in general as well. How many posts a person has individually could be far more important on an advertisement forum, where you need to have so many posts so you can request services, advertise your own site, etc. But like Brandon, I too run a general discussion community, and I think forums like that are where people could care less if you only have one post or even if you have 100 posts. So I really think it all depends on the genera of forum you're running, to be honest. Some forums can be more important than others.
     
  18. cpvr

    cpvr Regular Member

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    I don't see a problem with having posts counts or not because being apart of online communities for years, you usually put in a lot of work to be respected for your posts, and contributions to the community.

    Why remove the feature? Really, there's no point to removing it - unless you're not doing any contests or anything regarding the post counts.
     
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  19. Bluezone777

    Bluezone777 Regular Member

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    Post count drives people to do extremely silly things such as posting just for the sake of it and playing forum games most of which is hardly considering the slightest bit entertaining.

    People think post count is what earns you status on a forum but it isn't the case. What brings you status is not how many posts you make but what you say in the ones you do make. If you show yourself to be a knowledgeable person then that will bring you status as opposed to just illustrating that you are only capable of typing things into a reply box then hitting submit a lot of times quickly. I hardly consider that a feat worthy of gaining status.
     
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  20. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    Yea, post count can easily be abused :( but sadly everyone has their own ways of seeing it
     

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