more chit chat less vans ???

[astro355]

Would it help if I prevented all posts made in the Off Topic forums from appearing on certain pages? (ie. Unanswered, New posts, Active topics, Search page, etc.) That way these guys could have their fun while others wouldn't have to see it everywhere.

how about if off topic didn't boost post count!....I've been getting less and less interested as of late with all the foolishness as well. I don't claim to not use the off topic section, but it has been getting out of hand lately, and I don't give a rat's arse about my post count.

As surprising as this maybe to some, I am inclined to agree with this. I'm sure my count will go down but my post count doesn't define me.

But you can't just retroactively "harm" everyone's post count. Some people do take their post count seriously. I would be completely in favor of "from whatever date", off-topic posts no longer count. I'm not sure it that is possible. But if we held a vote for such, I would be voting "does not matter".

If I had to be set back. I would want my count to always be at -0.001. That's about how good my advice is "NOT". Jim

Come on, Jim. Growing will always create some pains.

[astroturf]

Come on, Jim. Growing will always create some pains.

So True, But my pain comes from growing older. And with that comes also growing stupider. But I'm having fun.

[tedanderson]

I've been feeling the same what for little while too. I have several off-topic ideas that I wanted to start but I refrained from doing so, because as Joe eluded, there are just too many game-related threads. And from my own previous experience, Joe makes a very strong argument here. I used to be part of a very active forum that we basically killed in a matter of weeks with the excess off-topic chit-chat.

I like being able to horse around and goof off every now and then and maybe vent my frustrations about the bratty kid in the bank today screaming for a lollipop... but I agree that we can't do it so much and so often that we drive off the noobies and the every-once-in-a-while users. There are several people who sit and watch and sometimes if we fool around too much, it can appear as if we are not very approachable. A good similarity would be how sometimes cashiers in a retail store will chat back and forth with each other to the point where they are less attentive to you and more interested in what they are talking about amongst themselves.. and I think that the same thing, whether perceived or real, can happen here too.

And I don't say this from the high and mighty position of innocence because I've participated in the excess chit chat too.. So it's really tough for me to say everything that I've said when I have over 100 photos and write-ups that I've yet to post regarding everything that I've been working on. I've been answering some of the technical questions but I know that I need to offer more van stuff so that someone visiting will come through and say, "WOW! Look at what that guy did! I need to ask him about it and/or share some of my insight."

It's time to get more serious about enjoying our vans.

[rev_les]

I never suggested penalizing anyone's post count I doubt it'd be necessary anyway. We lost Matrixx over the whole "post whoring " terminology thing,, which was a bit extreme on one hand, but also a big loss of valuable insight to everyone else, I'd hate to see other knowledgeable members go away for such trivial crap.But, the idea of just not counting BS topics could make everyone happy,.....well, that'll never happen Anyway, everyone could have the fun section without the " number boosting" Just my

[jeff's93astro]

Would it help if I prevented all posts made in the Off Topic forums from appearing on certain pages? (ie. Unanswered, New posts, Active topics, Search page, etc.) That way these guys could have their fun while others wouldn't have to see it everywhere.

how about if off topic didn't boost post count!....I've been getting less and less interested as of late with all the foolishness as well. I don't claim to not use the off topic section, but it has been getting out of hand lately, and I don't give a rat's arse about my post count.

I agree i dont care about post count either. I like the idea also of off topic not counting towards post count

[astroturf]

Everybody says oh hey post count doesn't matter and if off topic posts don't count so what. Well, Which is it? A post is a post is a post. I'm Confused...

[rev_les]

Everybody says oh hey post count doesn't matter and if off topic posts don't count so what. Well, Which is it? A post is a post is a post. I'm Confused...

I don't post to boost my own numbers,I'm not gonna name names, but , well, others might be...A newbie comes on here and sees 9500 posts from someone and thinks...geeee, whiz, he knows his stuff...when in reality 95% of it was the subtle nuances of which spices to use on your pot roast........ yeah I post in here some, but I also try to make most of what I post on here of some use to another member, not 95% chitchat and 5% helping. Newbies also need to understand they're not being ignored, there may be 12 people on when he's having problems with something, but those 12 might have no idea about what's wrong on his van, so instead of leading him or her in circles, they just stay quiet, and it could very well take a few days for someone who's experienced his problem to stumble online. So to keep things in proper perspective, I'd say leave off topic posts out of the count, and I like that AA and 355 aren't going ballistic on the censorship....hmm, yepper, Moderator, not Censor..

[astroturf]

Everybody says oh hey post count doesn't matter and if off topic posts don't count so what. Well, Which is it? A post is a post is a post. I'm Confused...

I don't post to boost my own numbers,I'm not gonna name names, but , well, others might be...A newbie comes on here and sees 9500 posts from someone and thinks...geeee, whiz, he knows his stuff...when in reality 95% of it was the subtle nuances of which spices to use on your pot roast........ yeah I post in here some, but I also try to make most of what I post on here of some use to another member, not 95% chitchat and 5% helping. Newbies also need to understand they're not being ignored, there may be 12 people on when he's having problems with something, but those 12 might have no idea about what's wrong on his van, so instead of leading him or her in circles, they just stay quiet, and it could very well take a few days for someone who's experienced his problem to stumble online. So to keep things in proper perspective, I'd say leave off topic posts out of the count, and I like that AA and 355 aren't going ballistic on the censorship....hmm, yepper, Moderator, not Censor..

Ok how do you count something like this:

Glad you got it fixed with no further problems!

????

[Gary]

Really don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.The only post counts that should go towards that member total are not ones from a off topic section.Trust me.Newbies,members passing threw,sponsors and vendors do look at content and the wealth of it or not.I agree with 355 that some that want to play should try to use the pm system for a select group of members they are.I also agree that a diverse group of members helps growth.It's just gotten out of hand with some of the needless threads.

Joe,please never give up on your build thread and the hard work you are putting into it.

Paint and body work threads??.He don't know it yet,but he is going to have me doing the best paint work of my life.

[rev_les]

Everybody says oh hey post count doesn't matter and if off topic posts don't count so what. Well, Which is it? A post is a post is a post. I'm Confused...

I don't post to boost my own numbers,I'm not gonna name names, but , well, others might be...A newbie comes on here and sees 9500 posts from someone and thinks...geeee, whiz, he knows his stuff...when in reality 95% of it was the subtle nuances of which spices to use on your pot roast........ yeah I post in here some, but I also try to make most of what I post on here of some use to another member, not 95% chitchat and 5% helping. Newbies also need to understand they're not being ignored, there may be 12 people on when he's having problems with something, but those 12 might have no idea about what's wrong on his van, so instead of leading him or her in circles, they just stay quiet, and it could very well take a few days for someone who's experienced his problem to stumble online. So to keep things in proper perspective, I'd say leave off topic posts out of the count, and I like that AA and 355 aren't going ballistic on the censorship....hmm, yepper, Moderator, not Censor..

Ok how do you count something like this:

Glad you got it fixed with no further problems!

????

ah I post in here some, but I also try to make most of what I post on here of some use to another member,

It's so nice to see you get your feathers ruffled over this,to start digging through my posts, lol. Is this subject possibly touching a nerve, 'ol Turf????

[astroturf]

Hey Rev, I have always enjoyed following your posts. It seems you have a good grip on the workings of these vans. I don't mean any offence. As I have stated, I know who has good advice and who dosen't have a clue. I just think that any measurement system has to draw a line somewhere and the point I was trying to make is where? I would just as soon have my post count be continually at let's say 10. Before I would want to cause any problem to the forum, members, or visitors. I mean that Rev, I follow your advice on these vans. Jim

[Gary]

Hey Rev, I have always enjoyed following your posts. It seems you have a good grip on the workings of these vans. I don't mean any offence. As I have stated, I know who has good advice and who dosen't have a clue. I just think that any measurement system has to draw a line somewhere and the point I was trying to make is where? I would just as soon have my post count be continually at let's say 10. Before I would want to cause any problem to the forum, members, or visitors. I mean that Rev, I follow your advice on these vans. Jim

Oh man Rev.All these yrs on these vans and I didn't get a pat on the head like that.

Why oh why don't people love me!!!!!.

[Jasen]

Seeing this is now 4 pages long, I didn't ready past 1.5 pages. Seems like everyone is on the same page and I can't say that I disagree with anything said on the the first page and a half. I like your ideas Austin.

I feel that all the OT and friendly bantering is just a sign of the group getting to be tight nit. That being said I felt as most everyone the past few weeks, and I've played my part and have sense cooled my jets a bit, that things were getting a little carried away.
I think that this discussion in itself brings things into the light and everyone will slow done a bit.

[rev_les]

I understand your point as well, and thanks, I TRY to understand these vehicles, but they get all of us scratching our heads sometimes.There's several on here that have a great knowledge of these and other vehicles I just don't want to see more knowledgeable members leave, especially over something trivial. 355'll always have the lead, btw.....he lives here , and he knows what he's talking about
I like everyone on here, and laugh my rear off at some of the off topic threads,but, in reality, they amuse us that are here a lot and pose no use for people looking for valid info on repairs ( MOST of the time)

[Big_kid]

Would bringing back realtime chat help alleviate the off topic threads? Would anyone use it? Membership has grown since it's been gone.

[$uperJoe]

Would bringing back realtime chat help alleviate the off topic threads? Would anyone use it? Membership has grown since it's been gone.

thats a great idea
could we have it rolling instead of 30 sec pause or whatever it was. like an im but for every member

[Jasen]

An OT chat room

[astroturf]

I think an area properly label and titled to identify it as a nonsensical area of fun and mayhem.

Were you may not come out the same way, But your post count will.

We could call it the CAVE.

[astroturf]

Oh, and I almost forgot. Not a Chat-room. Those are so GAY...

[$uperJoe]

i still vote for gay chat room.
i bet it would be used a ton from talking about nothing to helping with the smallest installs. i will admit i helped install an alarm through one before