...the number of posts under the avatar? From my perspective, there are far to many "x2" or "ditto" posts that waste band width and add nothing to the discussion. I've noticed that things speed up considerably when post counts are eliminated on other forums. If it's a "credibility factor", something's wrong. I can check a profile quickly and decide if the posters a BS artist or has something to contribute.
I don't think there's any bad reason to list the number of posts... I imagine a lot of the "x2" or "ditto" comments are going to be made, whether or not there's a post count going on. Often times, someone asks a question in a thread, and after three or four responses, all that's necessary is a "I agree" or "x2" to show that you agree with. or lend your 'vote' to, what someone else has already said. I disagree on the post count not being linked to creditability. There's people with multi-thousand posts, and if nothing else, it shows that they've been around here for a fair while, contributing to the board. Usually they're contributing that much because they have something valid and useful to say. When someone pops online with the answer to a tricky question, and they only have 1 or 2 posts attributed to their name, I often wonder where they came from and what their background is that gives them the knowledge. (ie. Do they know what they're talking about, or are they full of shit) The post count also helps a lot with classified ads. I'd rather deal with an established member, then a newbie. As least if an established member takes my money and doesn't deliver on the part, they usually have friends and acquaintances on here that I could contact to find out what the hell happened. A brand new member might pop up, list a part, take my money and disappear just as quick. Plus, I think the HAMB is running pretty damn snappy with the upgrades Ryan put in, regardless of the "x2" or "ditto" comments.
I have no opinion either way, however there was a member who i think is gone now that had over 400 posts and not one was on the main forum...all adds and BTTs. Some very talented people here have only a few posts and have been here many years...shy?
If someone has a lot of posts, it doesn't take long to see if they're credible once they open their mouth... errr start typing.
I take post counts with a grain of salt but they are kind of a quick, basic way to maybe establish crediblity. But I've never been able to understand how some people have made high post counts into some sort of contest or status symbol. The "x2's" and "dittos", by themselves, may seem annoying to some but I don't think they slow things down or use much bandwidth. Now when the "dittos" are attached to a quoted post and the OP contains several large images that you have to scroll thru a second or third time just to read the "ditto", then that sort of makes my jaw muscles tighten up. I'm not sure that there's ever a real reason to post a 2000 pixel wide image in a forum at full size in the first place. Much less 5 or 6 of them. My sympathies to anyone with a slower internet connection. A limit of 800 x 600 pixels would be fine with me. And when you do quote a post that does have lots of images, in Advanced Mode at least, you can right-click over individual images and then "cut" or "delete" images that don't apply to your response.
The Jalopy Journal
