Post Counts, User Titles

[John Jordan]

I'm glad to see the general consensus here is "oh, who cares "

On some forums (not necessarily turning) the equivalent of David Ellsworth posting about sharpening his own bowl gouge would be ignored if his post count wasn't "respectable." It's a little sad, really, with such unimportant things being made to matter. Then, on the other side of the coin there are people out there willing to believe everything said by someone that spends way too much time online. I'll give an example - I asked a feeding question on a snake forum when my wife first picked up our corn snakes. I was told by someone (6000+ post count) that feeding in the main cage was just fine (not related to my question). Any beginner who has done some reading knows that's false because the snake can ingest the wood chips. At that point the poster was scolded for a couple pages by other users, and I found out his post count came from defending incorrect advice.

Anyway, I really couldn't care less that I lost some posts. Though, I can't tell if I did or not.

And that's a reason why knowledgeable people often avoid message boards. I wouldn't mind seeing post counts etc not being used.

On a football board I enjoy, some of the posters have THOUSANDS of post-they monitor all day at work and read and respond to everything new. I would have to fire myself if I did that.

John

 

[odie]

And that's a reason why knowledgeable people often avoid message boards.

John......

Most of us here realize you are a well established woodturner, well known not only in the eyes of other woodturners......but in the art world as well.

I wish you, and other established turners wouldn't feel this way. If you have comment......just throw it out there. If someone disagrees......well, so what? Even the "masters" are likely to disagree about techniques, procedures, whatever........again, so what?

At least, if these more experienced turners put some knowledgeable information out there, there is likely to be a turner, or two, who have been searching for that one little tidbit that you've gained by experience.......forget about those who aren't receptive to your contributions......just be aware that a few will be greatful!

OOC

 

[John Jordan]

John......

Most of us here realize you are a well established woodturner, well known not only in the eyes of other woodturners......but in the art world as well.

I wish you, and other established turners wouldn't feel this way. If you have comment......just throw it out there. If someone disagrees......well, so what? Even the "masters" are likely to disagree about techniques, procedures, whatever........again, so what?

At least, if these more experienced turners put some knowledgeable information out there, there is likely to be a turner, or two, who have been searching for that one little tidbit that you've gained by experience.......forget about those who aren't receptive to your contributions......just be aware that a few will be greatful!

OOC

Thanks Odie-I do, but not many will. The point is to try to be helpful, but sometimes it seems like it will go the wrong direction.

I've been around since the "newsgroup" days and have found it's often best to tread lightly.

I read because sometimes I may have something to offer, but also because I learn from good questions, and I like to see what people are doing. I like the energy and enthusiasm of new turners, and seeing folks work get better.

Over the last 25 years, I've watched quite a few turners go from modest (awful ) work to producing some truly outstanding and inspiring pieces. That's pretty cool.

John

 

[Jerry Rhoads]

My post count does not matter to me.
As I mostly come here to lurk and learn.
Reading old threads, I sometimes find the answer I was looking for. Someone else wanted to know years ago.

I really like it when John Jordan, Malcolm Tibbetts, Al Hockenberry, and a host of others answer post.
Next to these guys I will aways be a NooB. Although sometimes I am able to answer someone's question.

I do enjoy turning more than search and peck on the keyboad.

Jerry

 

[steelguy]

Having once been chided for a low post count with the implication that it was analogous to a low level of understanding on a given topic, I did a little research and found that Confucious had addressed this issue well before the electronic era.

Confucious say:

Those who post the most
May also lead in boasts.
They often reply to posts
With opinions that are toast!

 

[Mark Warden]

I really like it when John Jordan, Malcolm Tibbetts, Al Hockenberry, and a host of others answer post.
Next to these guys I will aways be a NooB. Although sometimes I am able to answer someone's question.

Jerry

As someone new to both turning and forum use I think if your gonna have titles they should mean something.The gentlemen listed above certainly have established themselves as experts at what they do yet to a newcomer there just another guy with a computer.I am slowly figuring out who knows what there talking about and who likes to think they do.Although i feel every opinion has its own merit I do value some above others.Anyway what I'm trying to say is if there is a way give titles based on ability it would be great otherwise they can be misleading.

 

[Steve Worcester]

They are gone. They were fun and quirky when we first started this, but outdated at this point.

 

[Dave Moore]

Good call

Steve, good call.
With the paltry number of posts I have racked up, this will be misinterpreted by some, but who cares?
It was a distraction, and it's the right move imo.

 

[Vaughn]

They are gone. They were fun and quirky when we first started this, but outdated at this point.

Well, there goes my chance for ever being a Scholastic Sledgehammer.

Good call, Steve.

 

[Steve Worcester]

You will still see titles for the moderators, admins, and AAW staff.

 

[waltben]

Thank you Steve for removing the titles. A further move that would probably be just as good would be to remove the counters. Who cares how many posts anyone puts up, as long as they are pertinent and have meaning to a thread. Since your job as grand poo-bah (or perhaps one of them anyway) has you justifiably on the forum most of the time, why should a count matter anyway?

 

[Joe Greiner]

Post counts serve the same purpose as taking attendance in school classes, a weak but necessary measure of commitment and participation.

Maybe certain classes of posts could be excluded, such as Want Ads, which get deleted anyway after a decent interval. On another very large forum, also using VBulletin, posts in the Jokes sub-forum are excluded from post counts, so it shouldn't be hard to implement.

 

[MichaelMouse]

They are gone. They were fun and quirky when we first started this, but outdated at this point.

Thanks, I had Grape Nuts for breakfast today.

Now if only I could get this flat work out of the way and get some more room for turning....

 

[waltben]

Post counts serve the same purpose as taking attendance in school classes, a weak but necessary measure of commitment and participation.

Somehow I don't believe this is all that needed. If that was the intent, it's morphed more into something akin to counting coup.

 

[Steve Worcester]

No need for conspiracy theories, I will keep the post counts for now.

 

[Jerry Rhoads]

Well done Steve

Jerry

 

[Max Taylor]

Post Counts

same as Hugh.I think the world will stay together, even if we are all NooBsMAX