Individual Deletion of Post Count?

ColonelHardisson · 2nd January 2003, 12:37 AM

I was wondering if there was a way that an individual could have his post count eliminated or hidden? I don't really want to register again, by the way.

ColonelHardisson · 2nd January 2003, 12:46 AM

By the way, if post count can be reset to 0, that would work also. If a mod feels so inclined, I'd appreciate having mine reset. Of course, I may ask for it to be reset sometime in the future, so to avoid being a pain in the butt (well, any more than I already am), eliminating or hiding it permanently would be great.

Sixchan · 2nd January 2003, 01:10 AM

I don't think there's a way for PC to be hidden individually (or at least, I haven't seen one). With vB, it is possible for Administrators to completely hide postcount in the threads, restricting it to profiles and memberlists, as is it possible for Admins (and maybe mods too) to reset the PCs of people individually.

Although, if PC is removed from threads, it is possible for people who want to keep it to have it displayed. Just add "Posts: ####" (#s equalling your PC) in your location field. You have to want it bad tough, as it requires Manual updating.

ColonelHardisson · 2nd January 2003, 01:13 AM

Then resetting is the ticket. If a mod would be so kind...?

MEG Hal · 2nd January 2003, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Then resetting is the ticket. If a mod would be so kind...?

Never understood what the big deal was with PC anyway.

**Darkness** · 2nd January 2003, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ColonelHardisson
Then resetting is the ticket. If a mod would be so kind...?

Heh. Sorry; all I can do for you there is call in an Admin.

And I think that this thread can accomplish that on its own.

**Morrus** · 2nd January 2003, 02:43 AM

I'm not sure I want to do that - I don't know if that postcount figure is used anywhere else by the boards for anything. As far as I can see there's no easy way to just hide postcounts for everyone, unless I'm missing something obvious on the admin page (and no, I'm ]not going to mess around with editing templates as someone is bound to suggest. I'd just break something).

Why, incidentally, are you so keen to have your postcount removed? Does it matter? I don't really see much of a difference between showing an accurate postcount or a deliberately altered one - both are trying to "say something" by way of postcount. If something must be said, then I'd rather it were the truth.

ColonelHardisson · 2nd January 2003, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Morrus
Why, incidentally, are you so keen to have your postcount removed? Does it matter? I don't really see much of a difference between showing an accurate postcount or a deliberately altered one - both are trying to "say something" by way of postcount. If something must be said, then I'd rather it were the truth.

I think that this is an unfair implication, Morrus.

Here is why: someone mentioned that post count is no big deal. I agreed. Someone else implied I was just boosting my own post count by doing so. I saw the point. My post count is high, so it's easy enough, in the view of those for whom post count matters, for me to say it's no big deal. Especially with post count being fairly prominently displayed; remember, I initially asked for it to be removed from where it could be seen, not reset. My request isn't made in a hostile manner, but apparently it's being taken that way. If I don't want what is considered a status symbol by some to be displayed, I don't see why that makes me out to be deceitful. Forget I asked. I apologize for the inconvenience. If you'd like to lock the thread or delete it, please do so.

EDIT: By the way, I have spoken the truth about the subject, in threads which asked if post counts matter. I did not press the issue; I merely stated my opinion, stated further that that my opinion does not imply that anyone else is deficient for placing importance on post count, and left the subject alone. I've never been deceitful regarding that issue or anything else (I don't hide my location, my e-mail address, etc.) here at EN World. Here are two threads where I have been straightforward about the issue:

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showt...t+count+matter

Here is what I said on that thread, which still applies:

Quote:

originally posted by me on 11/25/02

No, it means nothing.

Way back when Eric ran his site, it was discussed from time to time about giving titles to each poster. As the poster population grew, I imagine that titles would have to be automatically given upon certain numbers of posts. The general thinking was that such titles, and especially titles based on post count, would encourage the kind of negative poster competition seen on other sites, and would tend to discourage newbies from hanging around long.

Since the question was asked, I'll give my opinion, with no offense intended to anyone: imparting any kind of importance to post count is pointless, in my opinion. Quality is more important than quantity. There are plenty of posters whose posts I seek out who have relatively low post counts, and some with high post counts whose posts I often find myself automatically skipping over, due to what I perceive to have been a lack of relevant content in the average post by that poster (basically, a high signal-to-noise ratio). Again, no offense intended to anyone. I mean, I guess some would think my post count is high, but I don't think I'm particularly important because of it. I'm just my regular ol' dumb self.

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showt...threadid=35521

Another EDIT: I just want to make it clear, again, that I am in no way hostile. January 1st seemed to be a good day to start fresh. I really wasn't trying to start an argument.

**Darkness** · 2nd January 2003, 05:15 AM

So it's the case that others are having a problem with it, not you?

Colonel, when people are attacking you just because of your post count, shoot me an e-mail, ok?

Also, consider: If it's just about the post count, they won't attack only you; they'll attack anyone with a high post count - so hiding/resetting your post count won't make the problem go away...

Or, less seriously, just show them this handy link; that should take care of the situation, too.

**Darkness** · 2nd January 2003, 05:35 AM

Ok; I think I understand what happened now:

Quote:

Originally posted by creamsteak
Bumping your own count I see...

When you gave a very short answer that agreed with the sentiment that post count means nothing, creamsteak (who has 500 posts more than you, BTW) rather icily wrote a sarcastic reply, implying that posting short posts is symptomatic of desiring high post counts. (So maybe he considers his post count important?)

And now, you feel that you have to prove him wrong.

Don't; this is not worth getting worked up over...

(PS - creamsteak: Please let others consider their post count as important or unimportant as they like; if you like having a high post count, that's all what's important - and the same goes for everyone else and their own post counts.

Oh, and if you indeed want a higher post count, maybe we should think about doing some huge message board game again...?

Alternatively, feel free to join in on the Hivemind threads in GD; I would be glad to see you there...)

alsih2o · 2nd January 2003, 05:59 AM

if it is not too much trouble could you alter my account to only display my postcount if it is currently a prime number, or a number in the fibonacci series?

garyh · 2nd January 2003, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by alsih2o
if it is not too much trouble could you alter my account to only display my postcount if it is currently a prime number, or a number in the fibonacci series?

I'd like my post count to only display when it is a number that ends in i.

ColonelHardisson · 2nd January 2003, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Darkness
So it's the case that others are having a problem with it, not you?

Colonel, when people are attacking you just because of your post count, shoot me an e-mail, ok?
Also, consider: If it's just about the post count, they won't attack only you; they'll attack anyone with a high post count - so hiding/resetting your post count won't make the problem go away...

Or, less seriously, just show them this handy link; that should take care of the situation, too.

It has nothing to do with being attacked. It has to do with being self-consistent. I don't want people to feel like they have to have high post counts to be part of the community. That discourages newbies and encourages an increasing atmosphere of cliquishness. I'm not saying anyone is doing that purposely, but a newbie who sees some of our high post counts, and sees some of the commentary about high post counts being desirable (even if it's done in jest), might move on to another community, thinking there's no way he or she will ever fit in. Since I have made comments like this, I thought it would be self-consistent to not display my post count, whiuch is high. It's no big deal in the grand scheme of things, but I was just thinking about the folks who might feel left out. As a gamer, I have empathy for such a feeling. I just thought I'd put my money where my mouth is. It's not some hidden commentary on anyone or anything, beyond what I've written here and on the threads I referred to. I don't think the less of anyone with a high post count, nor do I want them to hide theirs. I simply wanted to know if I could do so for myself - that's all. People hide their e-mails, their locations, and any of the other info that is on the registration forms for the site, I don't see why it would be a big deal to ask about post count. The reasons for my asking are everything that I've written here. Since it cannot be done technically, the point is moot. I'm sorry to have brought it up. I didn't mean anything hostile or ironic by it. Irony and subtlety are not my strong points; anyone who has been here at EN World for any length of time has seen ample evidence of that.

Horacio · 2nd January 2003, 06:57 AM

Using the famous wors of the inmortal Crothian, "Postcount means nothing"

ColonelHardisson · 2nd January 2003, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Darkness
Ok; I think I understand what happened now:

When you gave a very short answer that agreed with the sentiment that post count means nothing, creamsteak (who has 500 posts more than you, BTW) rather icily wrote a sarcastic reply, implying that posting short posts is symptomatic of desiring high post counts. (So maybe he considers his post count important?)

And now, you feel that you have to prove him wrong. Don't; this is not worth getting worked up over...

No; you are misinterpreting what I meant. I agreed with creamsteak's point! He made a good point that caused me to consider my own position, and what I could do to become self-consistent. Check my reply to his post. I know on the internet that nobody ever admits to being wrong or ever agrees that someone else made a good point, but, in this case, that's exactly what happened.

ColonelHardisson · 2nd January 2003, 07:15 AM

Could someone please lock this thread? I really am sorry for the trouble.

**Morrus** · 2nd January 2003, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Someone else implied I was just boosting my own post count by doing so. I saw the point. My post count is high, so it's easy enough, in the view of those for whom post count matters, for me to say it's no big deal. Especially with post count being fairly prominently displayed; remember, I initially asked for it to be removed from where it could be seen, not reset. My request isn't made in a hostile manner, but apparently it's being taken that way. If I don't want what is considered a status symbol by some to be displayed, I don't see why that makes me out to be deceitful. Forget I asked. I apologize for the inconvenience. If you'd like to lock the thread or delete it, please do so.

Colonel, you're reading too much into all this, I think. I didn't interpret the request as hostile, and certainly not deceitful - I just didn't see the point.

If you want my opinion, adjusting your postcount really won't make any difference to any problem, whether or not it exists. In fact, I think that by doing so, you're making a bigger deal out of postcounts than if you'd just never mentioned them in the first place. It kinda supports the "postcounts are important" minority, in my eyes - otherwise, why change it?

I fully agree that it would be cool that if there were an option I could tick to remove them, it would be something worth doing. But I don't agree that it's a particularly big deal.

You'll always get cliques on a large messageboard. Most, like the hivemind, are non-exlcusive, harmless and can be ignored.

Quote:

I don't want people to feel like they have to have high post counts to be part of the community. That discourages newbies and encourages an increasing atmosphere of cliquishness. I'm not saying anyone is doing that purposely, but a newbie who sees some of our high post counts, and sees some of the commentary about high post counts being desirable (even if it's done in jest), might move on to another community, thinking there's no way he or she will ever fit in.

If I saw any signs of this, then, again, I'd agree it to be a bad thing. But I honestly don't think that this is happening, or is even likely. New poeple join all the time, most of them fit in right away - and the few that don't aren't caused by postcounts, but due to a general incompatibility with this style of messageboard. Those few move on to places they feel more comfortable; but I really, honestly, don't think that cliqueishness, postcounts or anything else are scaring people away.

ColonelHardisson · 2nd January 2003, 07:25 AM

I'm sorry, again. I made this a much bigger deal than I intended it to be. I should have asked by private e-mail. It was just a dumb mistake on my part.

jdavis · 2nd January 2003, 07:32 AM

Being relatively new around here I'll put in that postcount never bothered me (as my own swelling count attest to). The thing I like the most around here is the fact that people are so welcoming, within two or three post by a new person there is normally somebody welcoming them in or congratulating them for showing up. As long as that attitude keeps up then I'm sure post count won't be a problem. I never felt like I was on the outside or didn't belong right from the first post, this is the only messageboard I can truly say that about and the only board I am currently a part of. I think you people should be proud of how little postcount actually does matter here.

Ok I will admit that Crothian's post count is a little disturbing just by it's shear size.

**Morrus** · 2nd January 2003, 07:33 AM

Don't worry about it, really. It's fair enough to ask. You didn't annoy me or anything silly like that - absolutely no need to apologise!

One other thing occurs to me - postcounts can be a useful tool for moderators when they need to see quickly whether or not somebody should "know better" or whether they are new and just need to acclimatise themselves. Someone new posting a political thread, for example, will get a friendly, polite email just letting them know not to do it, whereas someone with a postcount of 600+ will get a strongly worded "What the hell were you thinking?!?!" email.