We need post counts back

[sunnybob]

Its got nothing to do with "keeping score", but post counts allow us to see how new or experienced the person is.
A dumb question from a newbie isnt a dumb question, but we dont know whos a newbie and whos a 10 year veteran.

It wouldnt even need to be exact numbers, something like less then 50, more than 50, more than a 100. Anything that gives an inkling of the level of the poster.

Since the change in format i have seen several new posters (maybe, I'm not sure) being literally attacked for lack of knowledge. Hopefully people will be more forgiving if the experience on the site is obvious.

 

[CHJ]

The information is there, adding such detail to the Poster Avatar area I suspect would take up too much screen real-estate in the new theme.

 

[sunnybob]

Chas, if its hidden old people like me cant remember where to look for it. :roll: :roll:

 

[xy mosian]

The information is there, adding such detail to the Poster Avatar area I suspect would take up too much screen real-estate in the new theme.

I can see that. How about beneath the posters name? Especially a more than less than guide, or even the old guide to users experience on the forum?
xy

 

[Brandlin]

The vast majority of the time (99%?) a post count isn't a piece of information you need on screen.

 

[sunnybob]

Judging by some recent posts I think it is. Either that or some manners have slipped a lot.

 

[novocaine]

shut it you grump.

oh, maybe your right.

I'd say it isn't needed 90% of the time (rather than 99%), but there have been a few post recently where I've been amazed by the question until I realise it's a new poster. Do we really need the post number on the right of screen? I don't really care if Bobs post is No. 1210871. not sure how much control there is over the information displayed (I haven't used this version of PHP) but if that number could be replaced with the users post count it could be a bit more useful and take up no additional space.

 

[Myfordman]

"I suspect would take up too much screen real-estate in the new theme."

That's a bit rich Chas! Having moved to a layout that wastes vast proportions of the screen.

 

[DTR]

A post count is an indication of how active a person is on the forum, nothing more. If a time-served cabinetmaker signed up now, their post count would be zero; it says nothing of their experience. Conversely I have posted complete drivel approximately 1691 times (hammer)

Member's location, on the other hand......

 

[sunnybob]

DTR... Thats the whole point. If someone with over thousand posts writes drivel, we KNOW its drivel, and reply accordingly (No jacob, I'm NOT talking about you) (see what I mean?). If someone posts for the first time and gets dogs abuse. he isnt going to post a second time.
Newbies have to be treated with respect or the forum dies. Its only the old folk you can slag off.

 

[banjerbill]

The problem with post counts is some people post utter drivel just to get their count up. We don't get so much of the " I haven't got one of those so can't help" type posts now. There is no need to be rude to anyone regardless of length of membership.
Bill

 

[Lons]

The vast majority of the time (99%?) a post count isn't a piece of information you need on screen.

Unless you have a survey of members to check then that percentage figure is just conjecture and nothing more than your personal opinion.

For the record I agree with Bob that there should be an approximate post count and also agree about location, neither of those need to take up much space.

So we need to agree to disagree on that one!
cheers
Bob

 

[sunnybob]

I cant remember which forum it was on, but one of them had a series of stars under the name, relating to number of posts.
1 obviously was a newbie (i.e. less than 20 posts), 5 was a "prolific contributor"
For all my memory is worth that might even have been this site before the change of life.
It doesnt need an actual number, just a hint as to the skill or familiarity with the site and its inmates.

 

[ColeyS1]

The problem with post counts is some people post utter drivel just to get their count up. We don't get so much of the " I haven't got one of those so can't help" type posts now. There is no need to be rude to anyone regardless of length of membership.
Bill

Exactly !!

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Tasky]

A post count is an indication of how active a person is on the forum, nothing more.

^ This.

One thing a favourite forum of mine does is feature both a Like and a Thanks button. The more Thanks you get, the more likely you are to have posted something others found useful and the more likely you are considered to have some knowledge... whereas the more Likes you have, the more likely it is you're the one with the best dirty jokes!!

Another forum has official awards, which are basically medal icons under their username. You get one through your helpful posts, articles or general content being nominated by other forum members. The more of these you have, the more worth listening to everyone else thinks you are.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

My suggestion was to have the "Like" and convert the dislike to a "Thank". The dislike to my mind is totally negative and serves no useful purpose. If you genuinely dislike something post politely saying why.

 

[banjerbill]

My suggestion was to have the "Like" and convert the dislike to a "Thank". The dislike to my mind is totally negative and serves no useful purpose. If you genuinely dislike something post politely saying why.

I totally agree, dislike buttons are for kids on social media and have no place on a forum like this.

 

[sunnybob]

seeing as how some different points have now been added to the discussion....
and this is NOT a whinge, just an observation, While looking at a post a little while ago i noticed at the bottom of the page it told me that no members and 5 guests were browsing the forum. Well I AM logged in all the time, and I dont think I've been sent to coventry yet, so why does that not recognise theres at least one member browsing?

Truly indifferent to this, because I know I'm there, but i just thought i'd point it out.

 

[monkeybiter]

Are you sure you're there Bob?

Hang on, I'm not there either! Existential crisis alert! :shock:

 

[Tasky]

so why does that not recognise theres at least one member browsing?

I suspect the forum is smart enough to assume you know you're here and doesn't bother insulting your intelligence by telling you so...?