Restore Post Count to the Demogame RPG Forum

[Shaitan]

Quite some time ago the post counts for all users were reduced by the number of posts they made in the Demogame RPG forum. From that point to now, all posts in the RPG forum have not counted towards post counts. This was done because a few vocal users complained that spammy posts in that forum were elevating peoples' post counts.

At that time the RPG was new with a lot of excited new users and a game scheme that relied on short posts so those people may have had a point. The post quality situation changed months ago though and the RPG is now used mainly for storyline posts.

Reasons to restore post count to the RPG forum:

• There is no longer any need to keep posts from counting towards post counts. The RPG is a storyline forum with well developed and lengthy posts.
• Some people put a high importance on post counts and don't participate in the RPG forum simply because their "posts don't count".
• The current setup is discriminating against some fine posters. Take a look at the quality of McNulty's stories. He's made an incredible contribution of many stories and supporting posts over the course of several months but has a post count so low that he can't even put in a custom title.

 

[Shaitan]

Before anybody gets the wrong impression, I have been on the record forever as not personally caring about post counts. As long as I have enough to have a customized title and customized avatar they don't matter to me at all. However, they do matter to other users and as moderator of that forum it is my responsibility to act on their behalf and campaign for this change. In any case, blackballing the RPG always seemed like an unfair thing to do and I'm happy to try to correct that.

 

[SirJethro]

I've personally never been to the Demogame forum. But for what it's worth, my opinion is they should count.

 

[Ohwell]

I don't think they should.

 

[Shaitan]

Originally posted by Ohwell
I don't think they should.

Why not? We have chess forums, off topic forums, story forums, etc. All of these count. Why should the RPG be excluded when all of these others are not?

 

[Ohwell]

Because a large portion of it is just silliness.

I see hundreds of posts with things like "I want to buy a musket" and "OK here is your change". It might be a fun thing, but it looks like a chat room to me sometimes. Some posts may be lengthy and whatnot but the vast majority are not.

 

[Shaitan]

That was the case when the RPG started but the preponderance of those chatty posts stopped quite some time ago. The forum has matured.

 

[Padma]

Are the posts in the RPG of less value than:

1. d4

1. d4 d5

1. d4 d5
2. Nc3

1. d4 d5
2. Nc3 e6

1. d4 d5
2. Nc3 e6
3. e4

1. d4 d5
2. Nc3 e6
3. e4 Bb4

1. d4 d5
2. Nc3 e6
3. e4 Bb4
4. a3

1. d4 d5
2. Nc3 e6
3. e4 Bb4
4. a3 Bxc3

(Note: the above were taken directly from a randomly selected game in the chess forum. No words/phrases have been deleted.)

 

[pdescobar]

I voted yes. Frankly, I don't understand all the fuss about post count; I've barely looked at mine once I hit the magic 300. If it's a CFC forum, posts there ought to count regardless of the forum's focus. Demo RPGers are as much a part of the CFC community as those who post in Civ 3 C&C, the Civ2 GOTM, the Chess Forum, Humor & Jokes, Site Feedback, etc., and they ought not to be blacklisted.

Heck, I wouldn't mind one bit to see post counts hidden so we can get rid of the "Mine's bigger than yours" mentality that apparently caused the problem to begin with. (No, I was not active here at the time, but that's my view of it based upon current discussions.)

 

[Peri]

Perhaps if post counts were not visible after hitting the magic 300 mark then this would not be an issue. There is no prestige in having a large postcount. Its quality not quantity that counts

 

[ainwood]

Originally posted by Shaitan

• Some people put a high importance on post counts and don't participate in the RPG forum simply because their "posts don't count".

But it was these posters who were to 'blame' for the RPG posts not counting.

Has the maturation of the forum been because the RPG posts don't count, or in spite of it?

I have no problem with them counting, IF the postcount is hidden

 

[anarchywrksbest]

Yes, but using the chesss games as an example is just daft. What do you want them to say?

"Now I defiantly move my knight in front of your beloved Queen! What will you do? Dare you strike out? Or move into a defensive posture?"

The chess notation isn't a good example

 

[pdescobar]

Originally posted by anarchywrksbest
Yes, but using the chesss games as an example is just daft. What do you want them to say?

"Now I defiantly move my knight in front of your beloved Queen! What will you do? Dare you strike out? Or move into a defensive posture?"

The chess notation isn't a good example

Actually, it's a great example because of this. The chess forum invites small, cryptic (to non-chess players) posts in order to play the games efficiently. Those small posts are probably much preferable to something like your (admittedly exaggerated) "Now I defiantly move my knight in front of your beloved Queen! What will you do? Dare you strike out? Or move into a defensive posture?" Using this as an example highlights several things about differences in forums. Most notably, (a) length of post does not necessarily reflect the amount of thought behind it or the inherent value of it, and (b) it is folly to impose ideas of what is a "good" post in one forum onto a completely different forum.

According to Shaitan, the original setup of the DemoGame RPG encouraged short, simple posts -- a situation very similar to the chess game -- something which has now changed. Even if that had not changed, people should not be penalized for posting in a manner which is appropriate for the forum in which they are posting.

 

[SirJethro]

Originally posted by pdescobar
...people should not be penalized for posting in a manner which is appropriate for the forum in which they are posting.

This phrase is what sums it up best for me.

 

[Lefty Scaevola]

I vote for ditching all post count.

 

[WillJ]

I voted Yes. Obviously the RPG posts should count. I can't think of one good reason why they shouldn't.

 

[Padma]

Thanks, pdescobar, that summed up my point quite well.

And I'd be just as happy to have the post count hidden, again.

 

[anarres]

I think they should count in the Demogame RPG forum.

I also think they should be hidden, which is why I set up this poll.

 

[Strider]

I think the RPG posts should count... For the main reason because there are many other forums than the RPG that are just as spammy or more spammy than it.

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

Hide all postcounts, it just causes problems.

And besides, unless all those old spammy posts are deleted, they'll still count for the PC of the person who posted them