POTN Number of posts hierarchy

[qtaran111]

I often read threads on here where someone asks a question and different POTNers give different answers. Battle commences, generally good-natured, but sometimes nasty.

Now, when this happens I find myself irresistibly drawn to the left of the page to look at the combatants post count; if theirs is in the thousands I think "ahhhhh, they know what they are talking about!", if in single digits/hundreds I think "fool!"

I was just wondering how many other POTNers use this "flawed logic" :lol:

(ps. my post count is in the low hundreds, so feel free to ignore this complete and utter drivel :cool:)

[Anke]

I know what you mean, but perhaps there is a grain of truth to it as the more experienced members have probably seen the same questions on the forum many times.

[qtaran111]

Anke 6,970, you are definitely right ;)

[gjl711]

There are numbers on the left of the page? ;) Seriously, I do not pay much attention to post counts. True, those that hang here regularly have probably read it all before but each poster has a valid viewpoint and all are worth evaluating on individual merits alone. I have read some real gems from newbies and have seen some blatant crap from veterans alike. However, once you’ve proven that your a flaming idiot in these hallowed forums, I tend to take those much less seriously.

[neil_r]

It is safer to use a combination of Join Date and Post Count.

But having said that...... There will always be that genius first post

[qtaran111]

It is safer to use a combination of Join Date and Post Count.


Hmmm, perhaps we can figure out an equation:

POTN knowledge factor = number of posts/(today - POTN join date) x Member status

where Member status:

Member: 1
Junior Member: 2
....etc

[ajbalazic]

Depending on the topic, I'll have a look at the join date and post count. I think a certain amount of "seniority" can account for something on this, or any, forum. However, I always bear in mind that that first post could be coming from a seasoned, professional photographer who has more to offer than some of the "upper echelon" at POTN.

[ajbalazic]

Another thought - maybe because I have some "old-school" philosophy's, I regards age/seniority as an earned respect. Perhaps some of that might be transfered to POTN.

So if any of the 150 members above me are standing on the bus, I'll give them my seat.

[kevin_c]

I've got 5200 posts, I'm stupid and know jack s**t! - kinda blows your theory eh ;)


:lol::lol::lol:

[qtaran111]

I've got 5200 posts, I'm stupid and know jack s**t! - kinda blows your theory eh ;)


:lol::lol::lol:


...or the exception that proves the rule ;)

[FlyingPhotog]

It is safer to use a combination of Join Date and Post Count.

But having said that...... There will always be that genius first post

Of course, there's also no guarentee that post # 10,000 won't be a total boat anchor... ;)

[kevin_c]

Just because someone has a low post-count doesn't mean he/she isn't an experienced photographer with a lot to offer the forum, on the other hand just because someone has a very high post-count doesn't mean they even own a camera ;)

[condyk]

Generally ... in the old days one could kinda take the big number posters a tad more seriously because they had been around a while, but these days most of the people with high post counts hang out mainly in one or two chat threads and post many times therein per day. I think if someone talks sense you kinda know after you reach a certain level of experience yourself. Numbers don't mean anything much any more.

[ajbalazic]

Generally ... in the old days one could kinda take the big number posters a tad more seriously because they had been around a while, but these days most of the people with high post counts hang out mainly in one or two chat threads and post many times therein per day. I think if someone talks sense you kinda know after you reach a certain level of experience yourself. Numbers don't mean anything much any more.

Actually, you've got a point there. Loved the "old days" (when it was all about photography).

I think the forum has morphed into a community though - more than just the photos. Now it's also about the relationships between people and groups of people bonded by a common love of photography.

[prcrstn8]

Numbers don't mean anything much any more.Especially when the number of posts is used as a weapon to silence a discussion that's been had many times before. AFAIK, no one on a message board is ever forced to read or respond to a discussion. Seen it and heard it before? Tired of it? Then move along and let the newbies hash it out amongst themselves.

[Cadwell]

High post counts have very little relevance. First, as has been mentioned, there are the chat threads which allow people to witter on endlessly running up huge counts. Second there are a number of members who have made a career out of handing out reams of "good" advice by parroting the received wisdom on the forum. They don't actually know whether what they are saying is true... they've just read it when someone else posted it earlier and they repeat it.

I do two things. When someone starts pontificating about a particular lens I peer at their gear list and see if they actually own the damn thing or not... if they do they might have some sort of clue about how it works - that's a good starting point. If someone starts banging on about technique, or the applicability of a particular lens to a certain type of photography I go and look at the share threads, particularly threads started by them, to see if they can actually take photos or not and if they're shooting in the genre they claim expertise in.

[Mike]

Especially when the number of posts is used as a weapon to silence a discussion that's been had many times before. AFAIK, no one on a message board is ever forced to read or respond to a discussion. Seen it and heard it before? Tired of it? Then move along and let the newbies hash it out amongst themselves.

Yeah, that annoys me too. If the only comment someone can make on a subject is along the lines of "heard it before/you shoulda searched better b4 posting etc" then I guess they shouldn't bother replying.

[shannyD]

Now, when this happens I find myself irresistibly drawn to the left of the page to look at the combatants post count; if theirs is in the thousands I think "ahhhhh, they know what they are talking about!", if in single digits/hundreds I think "fool!"





i personally just like to see myself talk. i dont know anything at all.

[Discov3ry]

Usually the cow that moo's the most gives little milk. Quality not quantity matters....

[cosworth]

If I was a chat thread poster my post count would be about double.

Post count can be an indicator and nothing more of how well a person knows the temperature of the site or knows the resources the site has to offer:

Such as members who can offer an answer.
Knowing certain keywords to search for.
Knowing in a search what thread had the right info in it.
etc. etc.

A Master photographer can have a post count of 1. A total noob P&S myspacer can have 10000 posts. But a master forum user probably has over 10000 posts. But a rookie who might not know the proper decorum here or the resources in the db would have 1.

[Cadwell]

Yeah, that annoys me too. If the only comment someone can make on a subject is along the lines of "heard it before/you shoulda searched better b4 posting etc" then I guess they shouldn't bother replying.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/rules.php

See rule 4.9

[SuzyView]

If there is someone you get some advice from that seems knowledgeable, just click on their name and see what information you get. Follow their posts to see if they are contributing or just chatting. I've been here 2 1/2 years and have posted a lot, but I generally don't post in "Birds," for instance because I don't take pictures of birds. But I do buy bags and I do have a few things that I feel I can add to about (like some great gear) so I help out. When I first came here, I knew very little. Now I know less. ;)

[cosworth]

After 10000+ posts you try REALLY hard to not say that when readin yet ANOTHER "why are lenses white" thread.

Telling people to search is weak. Posting your search results for them and showing them what boolean you used is good forum etiquette. You are showing them how to use the forum db. It's a good thing. Everyone is better for it.

[SuzyView]

After 10000+ posts you try REALLY hard to not say that when readin yet ANOTHER "why are lenses white" thread.

Telling people to search is weak. Posting your search results for them and showing them what boolean you used is good forum etiquette. You are showing them how to use the forum db. It's a good thing. Everyone is better for it.

I agree with you in that I've seen a lot of threads lately asking about which lens to buy: the 70-200 . . . .? And I've seen moderators steer newbies to the Stickys and I appreciate that.

Post count can be turned off in your viewing? Am I correct?

[RandyMN]

That's like judging someones intelligence by how much they talk!

[qtaran111]

Hmmm, seems I've stirred something up here.

In my original post I was being a little sarcastic (in case anyone didn't notice). I don't judge people by their post count (well, not completely ;)) but I think it is interesting that there is a subconcious urge to read something into those little numbers...

A thought: For those out there that don't think the numbers matter, have you ever read a post where you know for certain the person is talking absolute nonsense, seen they have a high post count and thought "he/she should know better" (or a low post count and thought "oh well, what do you expect from a noob"). Come on now, be honest...:)

Post-count-envy is the new L-envy (or the new black if you don't like red...or white)

BTW, I can understand for the POTN old-timers it must be frustrating reading the same questions over and over again; my pet hate is "lense"...argh! (I've seen a big white lense, why is it white?;):evil:)

[cowpix]

Some of us working pros are too busy to post! ;)

[FlyingPhotog]

That's like judging someones intelligence by how much they talk!

Wise Man Say: It's better to keep one's mouth closed and let people wonder about your intelligence than to open it and prove them right. ;)

[superdiver]

Are you kidding me?!?!!?

I go with the person who answered closets to what I WANT to hear...LOL


dont worry, I do the same as you as do most on here...lol

[gjl711]

That's like judging someones intelligence by how much they talk!Boy, if that were the criteria, my son would be Einstein. The kid has not shut-up since he was born 18 years ago.

[Belmondo]

Basically, I wouldn't trust anyone with more than 20,000 posts. It should be clear they've spent for more time typing than thinking.

[cdifoto]

Basically, I wouldn't trust anyone with more than 20,000 posts. It should be clear they've spent for more time typing than thinking.

Fo' Sho! Although you can certainly lower that threshold...to oh I dunno...a number off the top of my head...17,546. ;) :D

[SuzyView]

Congrats, Chief for going over 22K today!

[Belmondo]

Congrats, Chief for going over 22K today!Thanks, Suzy.

[Bill Roberts]

I think that post count is just one factor to consider, as is joining date... Neither of course means that the poster is actually talking any sense at all!

You do tend to get a feeling for it after a while, and there are certainly people on here who do tend to talk more sense than others, and when you see their names come up you do tend to believe that their answer comes from experience and knowledge rather than just a desire to be heard.

Of course some of them have an absolutely wicked sense of humour too!! I like that.

cheers

[tim]

Basically, I wouldn't trust anyone with more than 20,000 posts. It should be clear they've spent for more time typing than thinking.

Absolutely, I couldn't agree more!