Post Count?

[foamnpacktape]

I keep reading here and there "he's probably just trying to get his post count up"
Quite frankly, I look at mine and am kind of embarrassed. :o People have got to wonder if I actually have time to fly or have any life beyond this forum.
I do, its just that, like RC aircraft, I am addicted to this place. Not sure if this is healthy or not, I know it has definitely affected my sleep habits, but I think my writing has improved, I have learned a lot, I feel I have helped others, and don't watch much TV anymore. :)

Anyway, my questions, Is there some kind of benefit to having a high post count? Is this a competition among some? and are others, like myself, embarrassed by their count?

Just wonderin,
foam.

[orenda635]

On any forum, not just RC groups, post count is meaningless. Seniority might give you more respect but it usually doesn't. I'm not even sure why they still have it written into the BBS software.

[checkenbach]

Many people post just to hear themselves talk, to "BE SOMEBODY" that they can't be in the real world, and just to to stir up $heet in general.

[flieslikeabeagle]

Anyway, my questions, Is there some kind of benefit to having a high post count? Is this a competition among some? and are others, like myself, embarrassed by their count?

Yes, a high post count is proof that you are one of the Chosen Ones. Those with low post counts are clearly inferior and should be sent to the kids table. :D :D :D

Seriously, I can't imagine why anyone would care about post count - it seems to me to make about as much sense as counting how many heartbeats you've lived through, or how many breaths you've taken in your lifetime. But some people here seem to take it very seriously indeed, as though a high post count were some sort of admission to an exclusive club where everyone is oh so much better than the hoi polloi.

One of my buddies in this hobby is a very talented builder. He hates typing, so has few posts despite being a member here for years.

Another of my flying buddies is a skilled pilot, has a ton of interesting knowledge about the hobby, and has been flying for years. He has an RCG membership, but he only lurks, never posts.

Me, I guess I'm a talkative person, both face-to-face and in print. I post a lot because I enjoy learning stuff from other people, and I enjoy helping out when I happen to know a good answer to a question that's been asked. Now and then I read an old post I made, and am impressed that I knew that at one time - I've forgotten that bit of knowledge since then.

Every now and then I notice my post count and am shocked - did I really write that many posts? I would never have guessed it.

Maybe that is the one worthwhile purpose of post-counts. They help forgetful people like me remember that their lives are going by, and that we have ten thousand moments to be thankful for every year.

-Flieslikeabeagle

[foamnpacktape]

Flieslikeabeagle,

As stated above, I am somewhat embarrassed by my high count given my relatively short time here, but when I see yours, it makes me feel better. :D :D

Many of my posts add little to the conversation, I'll add my 2 cents, or mention if something strikes me as funny.

OTOH, there have been a few times where I have genuinely helped another, and they are thankful, truth is it is I that appreciates the opportunity. I think most of us start out by donating time or resources to another, in an attempt at philanthropy, but it is the selfish satisfaction we get that makes us do it again and again. Humanity is wired that way, and regardless of one's spiritual beliefs, it is hard to believe this is simply evolution at work.

RC groups is my first experience with a forum. Before, my introduction here, I couldn't quite understand how people could spend so much time talking to people they have never really met. It is nice to have a place to contribute one's outlook where someone is always listening, where everyone is for the most part polite and supportive. It gives us the opportunity to really think about what we are going to say before we say it, if only our mouths worked that way, the world would be a better place. :)

Sorry for the long winded rambling, tend to be this way in the morning.

Regards,
foam.

[flieslikeabeagle]

I think most of us start out by donating time or resources to another, in an attempt at philanthropy, but it is the selfish satisfaction we get that makes us do it again and again. Humanity is wired that way, and regardless of one's spiritual beliefs, it is hard to believe this is simply evolution at work.

I disagree, and since my post count is higher than yours, I must be the one in the right. :D :D :D

Seriously, I think it's the dog-eat-dog view of evolution we used to be presented with that is flawed. Any animal that lives in a pack has had to evolve to sustain not only itself, but also sustain the pack of animals around it. Being purely selfish would destroy the ability to sustain the social structure of a pack, and without the pack to protect it, the individual animals would all soon be dead.

No wonder, then, that any animal that lives in groups/ packs / flocks/ tribes had to evolve generosity towards others. This, obviously, includes humans, as well as our immediate ape ancestors, and even their monkey ancestors.

There have been studies recently that found philanthropic behaviour and a well developed sense of fair play in Capuchin monkeys. You may have read some of them. Here's one article on the subject:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4179-monkey-business-reveals-sense-of-fair-play.html

-Flieslikeabeagle

[BD Flyer]

I am not embarassed by my post count, but I do spend WAY too much time on here. I don't think I ever missed a day of not going onto RCG in the past two years. But this place is awesome, so at least I have a reason as to why I go on here so much. :D

Bill (soon to hit 5,000 posts)

[foamnpacktape]

Flieslikeabeagle,
Interesting article, sounds like my children :D
foam.

Bill,
I've missed a day or two, but only when my internet was down. :rolleyes:
foam.

[sketchanderase]

I have missed many days in a row. Both from traveling or from overload of homework/studying added to the 6 hours of school.

[windisevil!!]

I remember seeing a few months back a few little kiddies (yes... little kiddies) joined up and started reviving old posts just to get their post count up!

I come on here to read... not to post. I only post if I really feel as if its necessary (or if I just want to be in the 'in' crowd ;) )

[sketchanderase]

Must have been really young if you call them little kiddies windisevil!!

[windisevil!!]

well thats how they seemed to act, sketch :P

[TacoChuck]

I wanted to start a thread here and got the notice that I can't post because my post count is too low.

I know it does not seem like many, but 50 is pretty high for an rc newbie like me to reach even after 4 or 5 months.

I have had a few questions and chimed in on a few threads if I had anything relevant to contribute, but it is pretty rare.

Although I read these forums every day and have for a few months I still only have about 30 posts, I can see how folks might have to pad their post count with useless comments to try and reach 50 if they want to start a thread here.

It is sort of counter productive to require 50 posts to start a thread in an off-topic chit chat area as it leads to crappy pointless posts in other areas in an effort to get to 50.

Edit: Oh I see I only have 22 posts, great, I will have to go make some filler comments someplace to try and get to 50 posts as there is no way I am going to get to that total naturally any time soon at the rate I have been going responsibly.

[foamnpacktape]

Taco,

That is a good point. The rule is in place to keep RCG on topic, as these are not related categories. However, I find that I am interested in what other people with similar interests have to say about other issues, and find the threads here very valuable.

Is it a good rule? I don't know, perhaps there were occurrences in the past that made it necessary. I have a lot of experience in RC, but here I am a newbie too.

Try to get your post count up through valid posts. Even as a newbie you have a valuable point of view, you may not be able to answer many questions, but you can offer support to others like yourself, and share your experiences. I thoroughly enjoy reading threads about beginners flights, it takes me back, we all seem to make the same mistakes starting out.

Sometimes a simple "thank you", an "I agree", or a "good advice" post seems tripe, but it can lift the spirits of another poster, and be reassuring, this is a good thing.

Regards, look forward to seeing your thread here,
foam.

[sketchanderase]

Chuck,
I had the same issue about a month or two ago, and look at my post count now. One good way to raise your post count in a valid way is to subscribe to a thread about something you are into and continue to post in that thread. Also just go to one of the forums that you can relate to like the begginner training area, parkflyer area, etc. and post in many of the thread about your experiences in the topic. It may help others.

Another way I got a lot of post was watching a bunch of videos in that forum and commenting on peoples flying abilities. It is always nice to be commplimented.

I too really wanted to get my post count up in the beggining to post a thread here. But once I got enough I decided that my thread was a stupid idea and didn't end up posting it.

[foamnpacktape]

Chuck,
I too really wanted to get my post count up in the beggining to post a thread here. But once I got enough I decided that my thread was a stupid idea and didn't end up posting it.

Been there, done that. nothing like sober second thought. :) Patience is a virtue I was not endowed with, but sometimes fate intervenes and keeps me from looking stupid. :rolleyes:

foam.

[TacoChuck]

Hi,

Thank you guys for the advice. Really good ideas that I had not thought of, nice way to contribute good wishes.

So far I have been mainly in the beginners area, blu-baby and easystar threads, but those have been mostly me soaking up info. I will look through some of the other topic areas.

Best wishes
Chuck

[sketchanderase]

Or go to the humor forum and go into a thread like the funny videos or funny pics thread and post after every new picture.

[jrubenis]

I wanted to start a thread here and got the notice that I can't post because my post count is too low.

I know it does not seem like many, but 50 is pretty high for an rc newbie like me to reach even after 4 or 5 months.


Didnt know this. And if its true how come everynow and then there are posts from spammers trying to sell Nike trainers and sportswear with only 1 or 2 posts (all spam)??

[sketchanderase]

He meant that you have to have 50 posts to post in the off topic forums.

[sketchanderase]

It's weird, the spammers only have 1 post and they have them like "free coloerd laptop" for an example and they have at least like 4 threads like that in a day and in their blog it says 1 post but when you go to find posts by this user it says none available.

[TraxxasTrucks]

It really depends on the forum whether or not post counts count. Keeping track of threads and posts can help admins see the person's posting record...are they of moderator material.

Some forums require so many posts to get into certain sections. And not spam stuff, admins check that, but it's a sign of regularity and not there for access to private things.

Some forums go so far as to give the "Crown of Wonder" to 10,000posts. 75% ends up in fun and games anyway.

I know I don't have a lot of posts, but I like to at least be a part of a conversation, even if everything I say isn't something "new". It's great there's so many posts, lots to learn.

[foamnpacktape]

Welcome to RCG, Traxxis. :)

Best wishes,
foam.

[TraxxasTrucks]

Thanks. It's really busy around here, and if the only problem I have is I can't decide what to read first then that's not a "problem" at all. You even have a favorite threads thread...very helpful.

[Ironbowser]

awww, dont be ashamed I joined after you and have 700 posts! I probably fly more often than most, and I only post 6 times a day! not much if you boil it down....