I have a fair amount of posts, no idea what my rank is, and I really don’t care. I’ve made some profound posts, and some that I probably should have never it the “post” button. But, as noted by others, I’ve learned a lot, and I hope I’ve taught a little. And I’ve had fun.
The only time I really look at post count is when somebody pops in and starts making posts that don’t square with their experience on the forum. We see it a lot more on a local board I’m a moderator on - they come in and spout off about something, then never (or rarely) follow up or post in other threads.
The experience factor does have an indication in post count. Post number one implies little experience on this particular forum - we will either cut them some slack as a newbie or brand them as a troll, depending on how they present themselves.
A high post count doesn’t necessarily denote knowledge, but it does indicate that the person has been around for a while and at least has some knowledge of how things usually work. To me it offers a level of credibility. They may be dead wrong, but at least it was either an honest post/opinion, or they’re pulling someone’s chain…
Well put Larry… I’ve come to recognize you as the voice of reason on this forum.
I’ve found many times that whenever a question is posted here and a good answer isn’t given or when someone posts content that sparks controversy, you’ll usually put things in terms we can all easily understand. In my opinion, you always seem to know just what to say and how to say it. I always look forward to your views on the topics you engage in.
Thanks for that, Ted. Your reply evokes the spirit and respect that I wish was more evident on many forums. That, of course, goes for Tree and others who find a way to restrain themselves when confronted with objectionable or aggressive statements. In that sense, each of your counts means very little, doesn’t it? I think you’d rather be known for the value of your presence when you are online, not by how many times you press “Post”. Unfortunately, some personalities don’t see it that way, and the rest you know.
In today’s world an increasing number of people are growing more and more aggressive and assertive in many ways…this being one of them…and so they like to see where they “rank” whether or not it means anything at all. By the way Crandell, if it means “very little” then I respectfully suggest the ranking be eliminated alltogether.
I think I am a little confused between number of posts and rank. I post regularly and admittedly would have more except I don’t actually have my own computer. But for the fact that I have to use one whenever and wherever I can to do all my internet stuff I think I pull it off pretty well. I know there have always been discussions on this topic but it seems to be a little more friendly after the elimination of the stars, although I never thought there was anything wrong eith them either. If somebody wants to make an issue about how much they post or how much they think they know that will happen whether or not there is a ranking. For the most part I find very little trouble and always look forward to coming on this site and sharing information.
…My take on it simply indicates how many posts an individual has accumulated. The number on the Post Rank, the way I “read it”, is simply a certain bracket of total posts compared to all totals. Means nothing more than that to me.
I don’t get the impression the operators of the forum are trying to “rank” any of us to any standard. Guess I don’t quite understand why all the fuss.
eolafan, acknowledged. I would encourage everyone who finds something annoying, confusing, or objectionable about their online experience here to let Bergie know directly. I am just like you, a surfer, even if I have restricted ability to do some “adjusting”. More than that, it is Bergie and Wade Emblad’s show.
It should be clear to all of you how little shrift I give to the ranking system since I have never actually seen it. I couldn’t care less, and found the stars a quick embarrassment as I began to rack them up quickly two years ago. I have the personality where I go head-first into things that appeal to me, and model railroading was not to be different. Apart from my inordinate post numbers, there is nothing about me to remark on. So the rank means nothing to the person to whom it applies. How salient or important can it be? How relevant? I’d be happy to see it go.
And Ted, you couldn’t be more correct…the rank is not an indicator of Kalmbach’s weird need to rank-order all its posters. I believe their code of ethics would make it mandatory to disclose their criteria so that its “guests” could have informed consent about what evaluation system Kalmbach were using…if they had such a thing. No, it was strictly a star number and colour based on how active you were cumulatively.
So David Voss (Senior Web Developer) is in change of the mechanics, while Wade (Online Publishing Manager) is in charge content? Can either delete threads?
Dale, only a certain number of staff at Kalmbach have full mod status. Kathi Kube, ogaugoverloard on Classic Toy Trains, Wade, Erik, and I think one or two others are the only ones that I have seen in red font in the indicator panel on the index page of who is logged-in. I don’t know what David Voss’ user name is, but I may have seen it if he has the moderator status. I can’t say.
Ken (NZRMac) and I have green names because we are of the second order, and Tom (tstage) has been given privileges as the longest serving user-mod that we greenies don’t have…so his name appears in red along with Erik’s and Wade’s.
When Erik is absent for an extended period, he asks us to deal with Wade, his stand-in as the go-to-guy. That’s all I know. And yes, Wade has the full package. I have yet to see him post a comment on any of the fora, but that could merely be a function of him posting when I have not been present.
When I see a new poster with a really low post count I go out of my way to welcome them to the forum. This was the first forum I participated in and I put my foot in my mouth more then once, and I am thankfull for those that helped “dial me into the program”, If not for them I might have bailed out never to return. That would have been a real loss to me as I have made some great friends in here. I try to remember that and treat the new forum member accordingly. Other then that the rank / post count is just a measure of how much **** one can talk [:D]. Of course there is that saying, something about letting them think you are an **** or opening your mouth and removeing all doubt [;)].