Rep, Ranks and Post Count

[KroqGar]

Now, I have a feeling this will be met with a lot of disagreement and hostility, but I would like to recommend that the above things (Post Count, Rep and Ranks) be done away with from the little side bar next to forum posts. Now, something you may be asking yourselves is why I'm doing this. That reason is simple, well reasons actually, is simple and I'll state why for each item.

Reputation: Now, I've never been a big fan of reputation on forums. The reason for this isn't really complex, although it is kind of annoying to see happening. That reason is exploitation. People will give rep to those who agree with their ideas to gain more favour, or just give rep to their friends because they can. On the opposite, groups of people could bomb someones reputation for trivial things that the person does, if they're already on the groups bad side. In this way it works much like an internet form of bribery. It's small here right now, but as things progress it could get a lot worse as guilds start to gather and friendships develop. It's not a big problem now, but it could get to be quite easily.

Ranks: Now, these aren't as big of a deal, but they tie in with post count so I'll detail more in the Post Count section.

Post Count: Now, this is one of my biggest pet peeves. If you only listen to one thing I say in this post, listen to this part here. Post Count contributes to the downfall of a forum's intelligence and discussion, as certain members think that the more posts you have the more intelligent and by association, the more people listen to you. This leads to post farming as people post small things to try and increase their post counts. It also leads to a sense of elitism, although not as much as Join Dates do. However, that's a whole other issue. Another suggestion for dealing with post counts, although I'm not sure if this is in place already, but it's to make post in the Off Topic and the other such board (Can't remember the name of it right now), not count towards post counts and ranks. It kind if gives people who want to have a high post count a reason to lurk around the general discussion forums and such, which promotes more attention to the game and by association more discussion.

Now, I don't think these should be done away with entirely, jsut get them out of the public eye by removing them from beside forum posts. Leave them in the users public profile so that if somebody really wants to look at them and see how long the person ahs been around, or how much they have to say about stuff, they can seek it out themselves.

I know it probably won't happen right away, and it doesn't need to because it's not a major problem right now, but I'm mostly just putting this out there for the Mods to read over so they know of mine, and a few select others, feelings on the topic.

[Sorjak]

Would you hate it me if i gave you rep for that post?

I agree that getting these things out of plain sight would do wonders for how people treat each other on these, or any, forums. People would be more inclined to take posts on their own merits, instead of the reputation of the person who posted.

[Mrs. Cakes]

Numbers don't mean anything to me. I really think its unfair how people treat first time posters on some occasions. You never know who you're really running off.

[Reclusiarch]

I agree (but only because my post count sucks!).

Seriously though, he's got a point. Just because a guy has lots of post counts doesn't mean he's got something useful to say, just alot to say.

[Drakus]

I totally agree with the OP.

I'm speaking purely from many years of experience administrating several guild forums and one thing I've learned is to hide the post counts out of the public's eye. There are some people that just cannot control themselves and just spam the forums with utter nonsense. I've seen members actually get into competitions with each other to be the top poster. These forum whores actually think by having a higher post count means they're somehow better or more important than everyone else, solely because they have a higher post count. As soon as I remove the post count from the public eye I saw fair less crap and a whole lot more quality in the posts our members submitted.

[Tickle]

It doesn't really concern me, as long as I can put forth my opinions, a forum is a forum. If the site staff want a few bells and whistles to make their hardcore posters feel appreciated, by all means, be my guest.

[Traceur]

i mostly get teased for overposting... so i agree. the sad thing is that "vets" here are 2 months into the community tops... and you still see people treat new posters as "newbs".

[Asmodeus]

How the >.< did you manage to get 1600+ posts already? I'm agreeing with the OP btw (:

[Traceur]

when i try to not think on important things i get my mind worked up & tangled into things that don't have any relevance to my life, like MMORPGs, climate change, etc... so basically i brainstorm a lot of junk. such was in the month proceeding the recent exchange of jewelry that made topics like this suddenly relevant on the horizon.

[LightsabeR]

If I remember correctly this was discussed a while back on these boards and I think that post counts did get removed for a while.

Honesltly I agree with everything you said KroqGar. I think the least controversial and most beneficial thing they could do is removing post counts, rank, join date and rep power from plain sight. People could still add/remove rep but all the info should only be visible on the users profile.

So it would look like:
Name
[AVATAR]
Location: xxx
Age: xxx
Offline/Online icon; add rep icon; report post icon.


If everything is still kept in plain sight, the least they could do is make it so that posting in less significant parts of the forums (off topic, other MMO's ect) would not add to post count. As you said, that would influence the people who crave for high post counts to read the meaningful topics and hopefully help out with constructive ideas instead of just spamming :P .

[Sovereign Malus]

I never found it to be a big deal. Just a little candy in the basket. think if life was like a forum would you walk up to a total stranger and ask him if walking into traffic is a good idea. what if he said yes, and his stats were
All-time god
3453365 words of advice
rep power 5958
age 60
: ) just a thought

[KroqGar]

Originally Posted by Sovereign Malus

: ) just a thought

You must have completely missed my post. Read it again, and think about it. I would explain it, but I really don't feel like writing a huge post right now.

[Sovereign Malus]

I have read your post KroqGar i was commenting on people below your's talking about listening to people who had tons of post.

[Heliopios]

Originally Posted by KroqGar

Reputation:

This is all true, especially when it comes to people who give reputation points to people for reasons like 'lolz that was funny +1'.

Ranks:

Post Count:

As for post count, I'll gladly tell anyone that thinks their E-Penis is amazing and awesome because their post count is 10,000 after posting in the Off Topic board that they are a fucking idiot and should head back to Gaia while the adults talk.




That being said, MO is doomed to becoming a cesspool of idiots eventually, commercial games attract it, and once it starts happening it increases exponentially once the stupid people start telling their stupid friends to play it.

[KroqGar]

Originally Posted by Heliopios

That being said, MO is doomed to becoming a cesspool of idiots eventually, commercial games attract it, and once it starts happening it increases exponentially once the stupid people start telling their stupid friends to play it.

Oh I know. I'm just trying to delay that for a little bit.

[Killermandude]

I generally don't shoot down threads without reading at least 1/2'ish of the posts in there.
But these threads are unnecessary and irritating.
Post counts, rep, and ranks are there.
They don't DO anything, and they only MEAN something if you think they do. That's it. You don't need a thread to acknowlege or change them.
Just ignore them IMO.

And to be completely honest - I've havn't yet (on this forum) seen anyone brag about how many posts they have.

Now that's not to say it DOESN'T happen, but it's just simply not that big of a deal...
Now, when people hit 1,000 posts, or 10,000 posts, I do believe it's cause for celebration, assuming their posts have been
1) Informative
2) Meaningful
3) Respectful

Because it shows that not only have they been around, but they are an active and respectful member of the community.

All I hear is people complain that they WILL brag about their post counts, and...I just don't see that problem.
So I say it again, if the number displayed below your name bothers you, or you don't like knowing how many people have, don't look.

Edit:: Combined posts.

[Heliopios]

Originally Posted by Killermandude

All I hear is people complain that they WILL brag about their post counts, and...I just don't see that problem.
So I say it again, if the number displayed below your name bothers you, or you don't like knowing how many people have, don't look.

Edit:: Combined posts.

Ignoring a problem does not mean the end result will be any different.

[Collbard]

Meh, I don't see the problem. I never look at post counts/rep points/join dates or anything like that when I read a post. If someone thinks they are cool because of their high post count, let them have it. If they think they are better than everyone else, they are wrong, but what do I care what they think? The best way to make rep points and post counts not a problem is to ignore them. Now that this thread exists I'm sure people are checking out each others post counts even more.

And on your idea of making post count not increase in off-topic forums; I think that would only increase the ammount of spam and worthless posts in the on-topic forums.

[Pluro]

oh who cares about what people thibk of you, as long as you know yourself.

[Dagger]

As a lot of things on this forum, this has already been discussed. ;)
Old link: http://www.mortalonline.com/forums/2...st-counts.html

I will however say here that I agree. I don't care much for post count myself, and it tends to encourage spam as its only function. Rep power can, as you say, easily be abused and ranks are just a biproduct of these things.

I'll throw in an old quote of myself regarding reputation:

Originally Posted by Dagger

Reputation is kind of random anyway. It's not like you will get +1 for every good and useful post you make and -1 if you spam a lot. Though, having a good reputation overall means people like some of your posts very much, unless it's just one of your real life mates boosting you up.

[Metal Wolf]

I've seen a few forums that have been around long enough that post count and rep mean nothing to the power of an old join date.

[Drakus]

Originally Posted by Metal Wolf

I've seen a few forums that have been around long enough that post count and rep mean nothing to the power of an old join date.

QFT

[Zoulz]

I'm guessing you can't get negative reputation. Otherwise, mine would be way below zero.

[Lachrymose]

yea, getting rid of the post count would definitely get rid of the +1 posts. not to mention arguing with someone who thinks they know more b/c they're post count is higher.

i don't think the rep is such a bad thing, (here's the kicker) if it's used responsibly... it can be useful to newcomers by indicating who tends to provide helpful information vs. trolls/idiots who'll probably just tell them something wrong/stupid.

[Surly]

Fuck, I haven't looked at this forums in months. I thought forumfall would have vacated the premises by now. Yet... here you are.

[Lachrymose]

Originally Posted by Surly

Fuck, I haven't looked at this forums in months. I thought forumfall would have vacated the premises by now. Yet... here you are.

let's just say i'm keeping my options open, pending the darkfall beta, of course. the same probably goes for metal wolf too.