[JRG]

I suggest that the BB Forums software be modified so as not to show the Poster Level (e.g. Beginner Poster, Intermediate Poster, Expert Poster). The statistics (top posters, etc.) is still available to those who are interested. I also think most of the regulars know who the posters are that post frequently and make useful and interesting observations (I thank them). It is a pity that the software uses terms (intermediate, expert) that imply a skill level when all that is being measured is the number of posts. Some "Beginner" posters have made some expert posts.

It seems to have turned into a joke for new members to make posts that do not add anything to the thread they are posted to, all in an artificial attempt to boost their "Poster Level". The visibility of the poster level appears to encourage this behaviour. The amount of noise is rising, adversely affecting my ability (at least) to browse through the new posts.

Though tempting, and I've probably done it as well, a post that simply says "Right on!" does not add anything useful to the thread. Much better would be to send an e-mail message to the poster saying that you agree (or "Right on!"). Save the post to the thread for when you can provide additional information, corroboration, or whatever.

I suppose if I could get a decent speed connection that it might not bother me as much; though I still think I'd find it annoying.

I like the information that I can find, the lively discussions by people with differing points of view (even when contrary to my own, or maybe especially when contrary to my own!), the humour, technical discussions, and so on. I don't like the noise.

[slothy]

Right On

[slothy]

sorry john, couldnt resist the monoiconic response....

But to answer your post....

However, i do think that you seem to underestimate the intelligence of the forum-readers, and i do not mean this offensively...

I very much doubt that people make any judgement at all as to how 'good' a poster is by his/her ranking or that the number of posts s/he has made bears any weight as to how lucid or meaningful his/her post is to the overall thread......More likley it is made retrospectively AFTER they have read that person a couple of times...


To take this to a preposterous extreme does that make Ben (God Bless His Lycra Socks And He Da Best Moddy ) 1096 times (as of this morning) a better poster than someone who has made 2 posts???

There are some posters, and there a few i like a lot, who are better than others and it takes only a read of a few of their posts to distinguish who they are (and it ranges from beginners to expert - i make a habit of reading their replies regularly as they are quite illuminating/instructive/entertaining) - i judge them meritocratically rather than numerically...

As for people making one sentence responses (noise) - i agree ...

I came across a forum software where all posts below a certain character length were filtered off and placed in a sand-box at the side...which you could switch on or off...not that i am suggesting this here but i did make easier reading....

i have to say i chuckled - my tongue accidently nestling in the crook of my cheek - when you said that having the visibility of ones poster level was somehow an encouragement for people to post just for the sake of bubbling up the ranks...anybody who makes it his/her life quest to become a poster of higher rank for this sake alone perhaps needs to have a look at themself in the mirror and re-assess their goals and criteria for achievement

[inquiry]

slothy, on Mar 28 2004, 02:21 PM, said:

To take this to a preposterous extreme does that make Ben (God Bless His Lycra Socks And He Da Best Moddy ) 1096 times (as of this morning) a better poster than someone who has made 2 posts???

What do you mean preposterous extreme? Why yes, yes it does. I am obviously the most intellegent poster here with the most knowledge... I know some of you might think it is FRED Gitelman who is the expert here, but his puny little 263 post is just more than 1/10th of my number and he rates only 16th among all posters, so not only am I more an expert than him, there are 15 others, who are more expert....

Seriously, these numbers mean nothing. And yet some, I can name about five, people seem to post non-sense over and over again to inflate these numbers for some unknown reason. And a few people took the "world class" and "expert" part of the "label" to mean the quality of the post or the logic of the post. Nothing could be further than the truth. So I, fully support John's request, I too hate wading through the "me too" post... as I try to read all post.. .and those are frequently waste of time.. and, if you right something I DISAGREE with, I will post and tell you so... so when I don't reply, it probalby means I am aslieep or I agree with you.

Ben

[slothy]

ROFL Ben

i hope you didnt think you were gonna post that and not be challenged...

and the fact you posted immediately suggests that you disgree with what i said..

For once in this forum didnt require that much provocation to write a reply....

May i say your modesty is only outshone by your immediacy to respond to a post

slothy said:

make Ben (God Bless His Lycra Socks And He Da Best Moddy    ) 1096 times (as of this morning) a better poster than someone who has made 2 posts???

this has now got to change to 1103

On Fred's return fron Reno he may have something to say about this post too

To continue what i was saying....wish people would sometimes substantiate what they say instead of giving a monosyllabic response...just show perhaps that they have given a bit of thought to what was said and have an opinion themselves instead of piggy-backing on others....

[aisha759]

Right on!!!

[slothy]

Have to say that i DO find a lot of your posts worth reading Ben et John (Just in case you thought there was a vicious undertow taking effect here)

[spwdo]

inquiry, on Mar 29 2004, 05:10 AM, said:

Seriously, these numbers mean nothing. And yet some, I can name about five, people seem to post non-sense over and over again to inflate these numbers for some unknown reason.

Ben

hi maybe we shoud have some forum filter that u can set to, dont reads anything xxxx post , like a pop up blokker even if it includes me beeing turned off a lot, ah well if i really need anything maybe i ll come pull your pants




marc

[mr1303]

Since everyone else seems to be posting rubbish for no apparant reason, I thought I'd get in on the act......

Seriously though, some of the funnier posts tend to be shorter, and I'd rather read 2-3 lines that get to the point, rather than posts that take up several pages, which I switch off half way through.

[hrothgar]

JRG, on Mar 28 2004, 07:38 PM, said:

I suggest that the BB Forums software be modified so as not to show the Poster Level (e.g. Beginner Poster, Intermediate Poster, Expert Poster). The statistics (top posters, etc.) is still available to those who are interested. I also think most of the regulars know who the posters are that post frequently and make useful and interesting observations (I thank them). It is a pity that the software uses terms (intermediate, expert) that imply a skill level when all that is being measured is the number of posts. Some "Beginner" posters have made some expert posts.

It seems to have turned into a joke for new members to make posts that do not add anything to the thread they are posted to, all in an artificial attempt to boost their "Poster Level". The visibility of the poster level appears to encourage this behaviour. The amount of noise is rising, adversely affecting my ability (at least) to browse through the new posts.

Though tempting, and I've probably done it as well, a post that simply says "Right on!" does not add anything useful to the thread. Much better would be to send an e-mail message to the poster saying that you agree (or "Right on!"). Save the post to the thread for when you can provide additional information, corroboration, or whatever.

I suppose if I could get a decent speed connection that it might not bother me as much; though I still think I'd find it annoying.

I like the information that I can find, the lively discussions by people with differing points of view (even when contrary to my own, or maybe especially when contrary to my own!), the humour, technical discussions, and so on. I don't like the noise.

Hmmm

While I agree with much of what you have to say, I think that we need to keep "Poster Level".

The parallel with Master Points is uncanny and too precious to lose...

[blackest_k]

Slashdot uses a system where all posts rank a score and you can choose to read posts based on score but then i think it needs a moderator to do the scoring unless you have the readers score posts as they read them. I suppose the current system of ohno not him again works quite well (wondering who is actually going to read this). Scoring might help thou and encourage me to be quiet

warm regards

john

[Shrike]

My impression is that it is normal or at least common for bulletin boards to show each poster's number of posts. Here, it is the denominations ("Expert" poster? Expert enough to press enter a bunch of times? Wow.) that cause any problem there may be. I suggest that only the names be changed (or removed), to protect the innocent.

That, and Right On! (can't stay a novice forever, ya know)

[dogsbreath]

I'm not getting any better at bridge.. it's nice to know that my keyboard efforts will eventually get me 'expert' poster status! Rgds, Dog

[Frosty]

Ditto



YetiBreath