The Campaign Builder's Guild

does it really matter?  do you think people are smarter or more important because it is a huge number?  Or would you rather know that everytime advice comes, it is profound and useful?  do lurkers deserve any respect?  answers shall be appreciated...

Yes, if you are an egomaniac like I am.
No, it is all about ego, not brains or image.
Maybe....
No, stand up, speak out and be counted!

I had to put semi-important, because I do look at it, and it does influence how I precive someone. However, Lurkers should get respect, IMO. Of course, having a low post count myself here is a matter of insecurity for me, so I guess I do care about it.

I vote that it is semi-important, in that if the boards were used more frequently for on-topic purposes, or if Ishy implements his changes to post count / "XP", then it would be a clear indication of who is most helpful to campaign building.

I find it semi-important: at least I take a look at it occasionally. But I certainly don't judge stated opinions or arguments by post count, which is why I feel my vote can go to none of the presented poll-options.

the only time i notice it (mostly on other boards) is if someone has like 1-3 posts. otherwise, i don't think of it as any virtue to have a high post count. it doesn't mean they know what they're talking about, it just means they talk a lot. ;)

That second option is a little confusing.  It seems to imply that Joe Schmoe, looking at these boards, will trust those with a higher post count than those with a lower.  I don't think that's necessarilly the tendency of the average guest, but I could be wrong.

I was just asking, as I seem to notice a subconcious contest for the higher post counts.  Perhaps if the old ranks were put back up, and post count itself left undisplayed, it would be less of an issue.  I try to ignore it, but the fact is that most rewards go to those who talk more, which can lead to a decy in standard post integrity over time.

Quote from: brainfacethe only time i notice it (mostly on other boards) is if someone has like 1-3 posts. otherwise, i don't think of it as any virtue to have a high post count. it doesn't mean they know what they're talking about, it just means they talk a lot. ;)

Isn't that how elections are won?  Scream louder and longer than the other guy? !amazed

may the gods spare us, politics are invading this thread too...

Quote from: brainfaceit doesn't mean they know what they're talking about, it just means they talk a lot. ;)

ditto.

Pass judgement only after seeing how insightful their responses are.

A high post count shows interest and devotion, but those two things do not have an direct correlation to post quality; they do increase the odds though. Not all newb posters are in fact, newbs of the subject matter at hand either.

Meh. As someone who once had the crushing dominance in post counts, I can honestly say it really doesn't matter to me. Sure, I may be a bit more surprised to see someone who rarely post reply to a thread, but it doesn't play that big a role in my viewing of these boards. Just my thoughts.

-Elven Doritos
Bringer of Pie

you guys should google 'evolution of forums' ...  or something similar.
i find it very interesting that you can map behavior patterns.
but the point is that post-count  matter 0%.

the ability to attact new users, and persuade (through content) users to return over and over is the actual power behind any site.
forums are a great way to produce content (because with activity, it produces itself), but the actual amount of post matters very little compared to the quiality of the content.

..so if your post count is 1-billion.  it doesnt matter 1 bit if the post are arbitrary, or 'low quality' (non-relative posting).

Post count, over all, does matter.  The more people are posting, the more interest is being generated in the forums.  
Not every reply one makes will be a gem of wit and wisdom, but the more one replies to the threads of other members speaks volumes about how well engaged one is in the community.

Or, it shows you are a blow hard egomaniac.
 :D
I can go either way. :p

I agree that non-relative posting isn't helpful to the actual main goal of the site, but I do find that the friendly atmosphere we're trying to create is helped by jocular threads and responses.

Not that that is directly tied to post count.  I guess my point is that people should not be afraid of off-topic (or at least, only tangentially-on-topic) posts (particulary in the off-topic board).  These are different from utterly empty posts designed only to increase your 'XP'

Ok, so let's just refrain from topic wandering in the cogs now, and we'll all be fine...

I don't really care about postcount. I think it's an inaccurate indicator: someone who posts a lot can still be, shall we say, less than expert on the topics we discuss, while someone who posts very seldom can still provide plenty of insight. I think judging the quality of a poster or a poster's knowledge by looking at the postcount is a pretty haphazard way to do things, but some people do it anyway.

I also don't think postcounts are the least bit necessary for perpetuating and encouraging the casual atmosphere we enjoy on these boards. People contribute (it seems to me) because the discussions are interesting and they want to participate, not because they covet the prestige of a postcount increase. One of the most fast-moving, chattery, and jovial forums I know (www.forumopolis.com) has had postcounts turned off for years, and has lost nothing but the inane sort of "postcount++" threads that formerly plagued it.

Don't get me wrong; in our previous incarnation, the users with the dizzyingly high postcounts were frequently among the very most helpful and well-informed people in the community. I just don't think the postcount really helps identify them.

That's my long-winded two cents.

Of course, as one of the people with the most dismal post counts, you're in a position to say that. ;)

I kid, Lumie. You know that I'm a jokester.

Anyhow, I had thought this thread extinct. It is an interesting topic, though.

Well, it never really took off because we had too few members back then to carry on a discussion without everyone agreeing.

I disagree!  We managed to be contentious back then even when there were only three of us with really exorbitant numbers of posts.

After all, Cym and I are still preparing for the populist/oligarch Armageddon.

Quote from: Lordly DoritosOf course, as one of the people with the most dismal post counts, you're in a position to say that. ;)

I kid, Lumie. You know that I'm a jokester.

Anyhow, I had thought this thread extinct. It is an interesting topic, though.

I just rediscovered this forum today, thanks to your private message via WotC. Reviving old threads and showing off my single digit postcount... that's what I *do*, man.

I just noticed the both Tony (critical threat, d20, or what have you) and I are now Leaders of the Pantheon...how's that work? Do we have a contested pantheon? What happened to the Cult of Ishy? I'm a very confused over-power...

-Nasty-

Quote from: nastynateI just noticed the both Tony (critical threat, d20, or what have you) and I are now Leaders of the Pantheon...how's that work? Do we have a contested pantheon? What happened to the Cult of Ishy? I'm a very confused over-power...

-Nasty-

I see a power struggle ensuing. :priest:
Schisms and inquisitions and crusades...Oh my!

Quote from: CYMRO

Quote from: nastynateI just noticed the both Tony (critical threat, d20, or what have you) and I are now Leaders of the Pantheon...how's that work? Do we have a contested pantheon? What happened to the Cult of Ishy? I'm a very confused over-power...

-Nasty-

I see a power struggle ensuing. :priest:
Schisms and inquisitions and crusades...Oh my!

Well now that you put it like that, it sounds like fun...Let the witch hunts begin!

-Nasty-

Oh joy, maybe we can just have a dualistic pantheon...  an epic struggle of the titans over the faith of the puny worshippers below...  Can't we all just get along?

Never underestimate the Great Old Ones, who cannot be measured by rank.

So sayeth the puny greater power...

-Nasty-

So sayeth the guy with the former post count that still makes yours look small. ;)

578 on the old board.

-Elven Doritos
Cthulu? Wuss.

Your level in the old campaign world has no bearing upon CBG II. And I don't like the insinuation that yours is bigger than mine...it makes me feel like less of a man.

-Nasty-

That's just your insecurity gnawing at your mind.  Your a leader of the Pantheon, have confidence!

Anyway...How the heck do these ranks work anyway? They seem kind of odd...like Doritos is a greater power, but he's got intermediate powers both above and below him (why's he so special), and what comes after Leader of the Pantheon?

-Nasty-

Not really sure... I was trying to figure it out myself the other day... I think that the ranks may include user comments, poll comments, and link comments as well, though i hope that's not the case.

Aw, c'mon. 'Sides, I always held that old CBG posts should be added, anyhow. ;)

Quote from: Elven DoritosAw, c'mon. 'Sides, I always held that old CBG posts should be added, anyhow. ;)

Yeah, especially since your were the postmaster general.
Like a modern day Moist von Lipwig!!