Web Hosting Talk : Other Forums : WHT Announcements, Feedback and Questions : Empty posts to earn post count

[ckpeter]

I have seen many posts posted just for the sake of posting. I think the moderator should ban that.

I can understand if people wants more post counts But the post count system is to encourage participation, not just piles of junk posts. Many time I see a post with line of smiles, or a ".", or the less obvious "me too...". Seeing these type of posts make me angry. I have seenmany individuals skyrocketed their posts to few hundards to a thousand posts, going to every thread and saying "me too", "I think so too", or just " "

My currently 160 or so post count are all worthwhile, meaningful posts. While I am still dreaming one day to get to 500 and get my own custom title, I just can't stand to see others posting useless posts.

Is/shouldn't there be a rule against this? Do you guys find every thread with two or three " " entertaining?

Peter

[dektong]

Your line of thought has actually been discussed several times on different thread, but your's is the most straight-forward one ... Hm ... I think we all know who this (these) people is (are) ... I feel bad for this (these) people for not having anything usefull/important they can share in the forum, but well ... what can you say? The mod can't just ban them for posting junk posts, can they?

cheers,

[ckpeter]

Sure the moderators can ban such posts. They are already banning self-promotion(in non-ads forum) and other irrelevant posts. The mod could just delete the posts that don't contribute to the thread. The individual could also be given warning, just like other type of violations.

I would also suggest that people bring this up to their peer. For example, if you notice an empty post is made, you could add a note that says: "by the way, Mr. X, your post doesn't seems to contribute to the thread." Are you guys willing to do this?

Peter

[Jonah]

I really couldn't care less about my number of posts!

I became a member in jan 2001 and look at my number of posts! Not really that many.

I must admit I have contributed with some worthless posts, like in the *if you look at this thread you Must reply* but that's for the fun of it. I think that sometimes a thumb up or down is just as good as writing, if taken out of the context it's obvious what you mean, and it makes sense.

I do agree though, that sometimes a 'me too' post is worthless. On the other hand maybe that person just wanted to give his 0.02 cents. Actually banning people? I dunno. Don't you think you take this thing about post counting a bit to serious?

[One Web]

I post a lot and I think that they are all worth it. When I post there is always a good reason... yes even for the "If you look at this thread you MUST reply" one like said above you some times have to have fun but I make the most out of everything. Also those post with "." some times they are just mistakes or post that people make and then take it back.
Also I never do it for the post count.

and dektong hope Im not in your list there....

[netsolutions]

Also those post with "." some times they are just mistakes or post that people make and then take it back.

Those posts I hate. They can take them back. They can edit the post and change what they have to say. Also dektong, I also hope I'm not on your list even though I post a lot I have never posted just a smilie or a .

You can check on that!

[dektong]

why are you guys worry about being in my list or not Just write good posts, you will be all fine ... I don't object with people having bit of fun in the lounge room. I even replied to some of these "much-talk-about-nothing" posts, once in a while ... But that's all, just once in a while ... Nothing really against people who would like to socialize in the lounge room ... No, not at all ... But if 90% of your posts belong to this "much-talk-about-nothing" threads (and even worse, with single smilie or one-liner), then you will be on my list (not supposed to be a big deal for you, BTW)

Cheers for all,

[MattG]

ooops violating the spirit of this thread...


Seriously, I can see the benefits of quality posts vs. volume. However other factors should be considered IMO. Some would be:

Spirit and attitude of posts (hostile, sarcastic, supportive)
Being willing to admit when you are wrong
Offering helpful advice to your competitors
When training newbies, do so with professionalism not CAPS or BOLD
Longevity on the forum .Registered in 1999...

I am however glad that you have re-surfaced this topic, perhaps attention will embarass the people who overuse this technique.

[Chicken]

Originally posted by ckpeter
Many time I see a post with line of smiles, or a "."

The '.' posts are usually ones that have been removed, however the forum does not allow people to completely delete a post, so instead, they edit it and just post a '.' (you cannot leave a blank post). We'll try to just delete these when we run across them, or you can report it to bring it to our attention.

Originally posted by ckpeter
I would also suggest that people bring this up to their peer. For example, if you notice an empty post is made, you could add a note that says: "by the way, Mr. X, your post doesn't seems to contribute to the thread." Are you guys willing to do this?

Peter, I'd asctually suggest that people don't do this for a couple of reasons. One, it shifts the focus on you and could cause the other member to be defensive. I always tell members to let members hate us (the moderators), and stay out of it. That is why we are here, so I suggest that you let us deal with it. Members have been mailbombed and targeted with negative threads ("abcdhost sucks...") after doing things like this.

Two, any time people comment on the posts themselves, it has the potential to throw the thread into a tangent with discussion about posts, personal attacks, etc., instead of the actual thread topic.

[Jonah]

I agree when it comes to a line like "." Okay that's rubbish! I agree. But when it comes to smilies, I think it's a nice way (if used correctly) to share your opinion, without having to write a long post just to get to the conclusion, when everybody know what I am talking about. Maybe not everybody, but those that have been here for a while. Let me give you an example:

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showth...threadid=27343

Yeah, that's me throwing up as number 4! But that's my imediate
reaction to unlimited bandwidth. How many of you really feel like going into a long discussion about this over and over, if you have been here for a while? I understand that I could have explained myself better and that 1 smily would have been enough, but come on! This is not kindergarten! You guys know what I mean by that post, right?

I could have started one of those 'there's no such thing as unlimited because by it's very definition - yadayadayada and suddenly everyones looking in their dictionary and the thread never ends.

The lines with "." should be removed, no doubt about it.

[ckpeter]

I think I should clarify, that I do not entirely object posts that contains short message. If the are meaningful, then I welcome them. Even the "me too" posts are ok as long as the poster somehow contribute to the thread, for example, share a personal experience or reason why it is "him too". Instead of just "me too".

(sorry about the "." posts, I didn't know the custom about that)

Peter

[Jonah]

Actually I think we agree on this subject, ckpeter!