Ok, it seems like the user titles are quite a hot topic and there is some disagreement, so lets see who comes out on top in this poll.
Personally, I say yes even though last year I only tallied about 35 posts.
I personally do not care much about raising my status in this place, especially with the number of post. This is a place for people to share ideas and experience, so that we can all benefit from the knowledge flowing around this website.
I see posting high number of messages for a big reputation as meaningless and waste of everyone’s time. I don’t even think people should really care about their status in this forum. People should be too engaged in discussions and the competition that they won’t have time for high number. If you have all the energy and ego, why don’t you spend them on the robot?
Now, about the stats itself, I have nothing against that. I personally enjoy to see how people use this forum, and stats will tell us some of the behaviors of people. I even enjoy people playing around with numbers and make fun of certain FIRST-a-holics for posting too much in this place…
I remember back at last season the top people who posted the most are Anton, myself, Dr. Joe, Jessica Boucher, and Matt Leese. I can tell you that none of us have top number of posting because we want a high stat and a big reputation. We all have something to share to the rest of the group, and we weren’t afraid to say it. We were only trying to get/give as much out of/into this place as we can.
Stats should only be side numbers that add a taste to this place, not a measure of success or anything like that…
*Originally posted by Ken Leung *
**Now, about the stats itself, I have nothing against that. I personally enjoy to see how people use this forum, and stats will tell us some of the behaviors of people. Stats should only be side numbers that add a taste to this place, not a measure of success or anything like that… **
That’s exactly how I feel. Last year, I was new to the forums I wasn’t able to tell who had posted a lot, but it would have helped to know because these people are usually the ones most willing to help people out.
I see posting high number of messages for a big reputation as meaningless and waste of everyone’s time. I don’t even think people should really care about their status in this forum. People should be too engaged in discussions and the competition that they won’t have time for high number.
About the people who post randomly to increase their status, I mentioned this in another post but if you notice at the bottom right of each post there is a link that says “Report this post to a moderator”. There should be consequences (not too harsh though) for someone who does this so no one attempts to. I am for the titles, but I do think we should crack down on random posters if they repeatedly make random posts.
*Originally posted by Jay Lundy *
**
{snip}
…but I do think we should crack down on random posters if they repeatedly make random posts. **
Yep.
With one click of a button I can reset the # of posts on any user, so just report any misuse and it will be dealt with.
*Originally posted by Jay Lundy *
**
That’s exactly how I feel. Last year, I was new to the forums I wasn’t able to tell who had posted a lot, but it would have helped to know because these people are usually the ones most willing to help people out.
**
What Jay said is very true…being able to see how often someone has posted is very helpful. Before I just kinda had to assume who the people were who were most envolved. Several times I randomly would IM people, asking them questions, thinking they were the move involved FIRSTers, only to find out they weren’t. Then again, how many posts doesn’t necessarily determine how involved you are in FIRST…just how much time you’re willing to spend posting.
~Angela
I wanted to give my opinion on this one. I think having the titles, or the top ten list in general is kinda pointless. I know that some people will post just for the sake of posting, and with the growing number of people on this forum, that can be a waste of time. Post as much as you like, as long as there is a purpose and your not just posting to get a different title under your name or get a higher “ranking” in the list.
Justin
I feel that putting “rankings” based on your number of posts on these boards would be a bad idea. It would make the site even more intimidating then it already is. When I see how many posts people have I feel intimidated that my opinion is not of as much value as theirs because I have less time/things to post about. When I am scared my opinion won’t matter I then don’t post. If people had ranks it would be even crazier and make people more scared to post. I think I’m rambling… so I’ll stop now…
Noone should feel intimidated by the number of posts you have. I don’t care if you have 2 posts of 200 posts, you put your idea out I will listen to it. I usta not post a lot until I got comfortable with it. Now I post all the time (prolly too much:D ) So, if you have something to say, say it.
i dont know what other people do, but i read every single post (ok, so i dont have a life, whats youre point…) and i dont generally look at the little counter saying how many times a person whos post im reading has posted. ill look at the box with their name and picture and other information, but i almost never bother looking past name, team, role.
and as far as not posting because you dont think youre opinion is good enough: thats just rediculous. look at me: im a so-so student at best, gonna be a senior and while ill probably get in to a college somewhere, i have no idea where itll be because my grades are too low for me to count on any schools. ive been with first for just about a year now…(my first first thing ever was mayham on the merrimack 2000…all my friends were on the rambots and went, so i decided to go see what it was all about and then i was hooked)…i am lacking in knowledge about technical stuff and all that (id say at least 1/2 of what is discussed in the tech forum goes way over my head…but i still read it and post there anyways)…and i post in these forums constantly…so look at me and ask me how my opinion could possible be more valuable then youre…or how any person’s opinion could possible be more valuable then any other person’s opinion…just dont be shy: say what you want to say (and more, if youre so inclined…) its not like we have something better to do
Is it possible to have different counts for each forum? IE, 10 posts in tech forum puts you to next level in tech forum. 50 posts in chit chat takes you to next level in chit chat.
Bill Whitley
*Originally posted by Bill Whitley *
**Is it possible to have different counts for each forum? IE, 10 posts in tech forum puts you to next level in tech forum. 50 posts in chit chat takes you to next level in chit chat.Bill Whitley **
That might make it a little too crazy.
it would clutter and confuse, and probably slow the site down to have it do that i think…if it can even be done…of course, i could be wrong too
*Originally posted by mike o’leary *
**it would clutter and confuse, and probably slow the site down to have it do that i think…if it can even be done…of course, i could be wrong too **
I could code it, but I don’t think its worth the time & hassle to do all that just for user titles that really don’t mean that much.
That’d be some pretty impressive coding. Seriously I think it would cause more problems than the benifits it would give.
Wohoo! only 65 more posts to reach frequent contributer!
At my current rate of 3/4 a post a day, that could be a while. 
65?
do you mean 35? (frequent contributer=50 posts)
I think ego’s will get involved and those of us looking for good information will have to sift through a lot of fluff.
The ‘title’ should be your team number… thats what i think, but what do i know (i know i got a new keyboard tonight, the spacebar works now)
I personally think that the titles are not a big deal. The number of posts don’t mean anything. I have a high post count only because I’ve been chit-chatting a lot lately, once the season rolls around or school starts that won’t happen. The thing that people need to realize is not quantity but quality matters. You can post all the messages you want but if you haven’t helped anyone or done anything to provoke good ideas it doesn’t matter. No one should feel intimidated to post here. Everyone sees different things in a post, this could help people get off topic or answer a question in a way that really helps the asker or someone else. I am not someone who can explain the bla bla law of this or the physics behind that. But I can figure things out using common sense. The forum is like a B.Y.O.B. party. Everyone brings their own thing. Does that make sense and not sound repetitive?