Does Post Count Really Matter?

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Hello guys...

There's something really serious I want to address; an issue that has plagued me on forum boards in the past, which I fear is going to plague me here very soon.

And that's the issue of...silly as it sounds...how many posts I make on forum boards, and if it's enough.

You see, the very first forum I joined allowed pictures to be posted of a certain nature: specifically, furry pictures. (anthropomorphics, that is) And since I had a BUTTLOAD of such pictures, I just about burned myself out uploading and posting, until I reached 1600 posts in only 2 and a half months. And when I checked the members board one day, I noticed that I was in the top 50 most frequent posters out of 6,000 members! And it made me feel powerful...I wanted to be in the top 25, and I made it there too. You see, I saw post count as a hierarchy thing: the more you have, the more important and loved you are as a member.
And in the end, I wound up being banned from the board for *deliberately* posting a picture that violated the forum rules, just to get childish revenge on a female moderator at the time. And you know what I was the most upset about? Not that I let down the few people there that did appreciate what I posted, but that I didn't make the top ten.

A few months later, I joined another furry forum board, but I didn't post on that one as much, because their rules on uploading pictures were stricter. So I think I only had like 25 posts after 6 months of being there, which to my eyes, was DISGRACEFUL! I should've been pulling my weight on a board I feel comfortable with, but I didn't. I wasn't banned from that board, but I signed off permanently, and for the stupidest reason...because some other member
with over 4,000 posts to his name bothered to reply to one of my posts and *gasp!* compliment me. I was so ashamed...that's like a king coming down from high to mingle with a lowly beggar. He should've saved his compliment for a member in the same posting class as him.

Now I come to the present, as well as the little problem that's nagging me. I fear those beliefs I held then, are creeping back to here. Think about it: I've been here for about 7 and a half months, and I only have 205 posts to my name! Why that bothers me, is that I've noticed people here who've joined only 2 months ago with SEVEN TIMES as many posts as me! My irrational side would think that's because those such members have *waaay* too much time on their hands, but that would be rude. No, I like to think the reason is that they're a lot more talkative about their condition, and want to share their wisdom with others. I guess the reason why I have so few is that I wait until I actually have something valuable to say or contribute, and not have like 1,000+ posts consisting of 'I hear ya' or 'that sucks'; you know, one or two word answers.

So, what do you guys think? Does post count make a member?

Usagi1992

I don't even know how many I have, or care. It's not like anybody's going to give me a prize.

no

I have over 18,500 posts, and nobody hardly notices me.

Nah.

I have a high post count but that is because the forum at one time was the only social life I had, it was the first and only one I've ever had. Then there are times when I actually have something to contribute to when someone posts a question or topic that I actually have relevant advice on.

In my book, it's not how many posts you have but the quality of such posts. Occasionally, very very occasionally, a post will need only a single line reply. Most times though, you should endeavour to give a little of yourself in the posts. Mine are usually long. Usagi, I've seen a lot of your posts being long too, so there's no reason to feel like you're not satisfying quality.

One thing that I try to do when welcoming new members is to ask about their interests etc... If they've done a long introductory post, I'll usually ask questions about it - partially because I'm interested and partially because it shows them that I've actually read their entire post instead of just adding my two cents to the bottom. Hopefully, doing that will encourage them to continue "giving themselves" to to forum.

I've actually gotten seriously chastised because I post too much. It makes people nervous and annoys them and I kind of don't get it. I type fast and I don't like slow boards, when I'm on a board that's slow I get nervous. lol

people who have a post count in the thousands, IN GENERAL, annoy me. if they have only been a member a short time, and have a zillion posts, then they need to shut up. i don't want to read a board that is completely flooded by one person. of course there are also people with high post counts that actually contribute something, that are just very prolific in a good way, but IN GENERAL, i think less of a person with a high post count, not more.

so again, like others have said, it is about content. 3000 posts is fine... 3000 posts that all say, "oh" or "that sucks" is not fine.

Oh absolutely, the more you post, the wiser you become...