Contributing to the Site

[thepast]

So, this weekend, someone said to me in chat: "How can you be the chat admin if you only have like 2000 posts in the forums?" And then the "Oh no, my post counter stopped working!" thread was posted... And it got me thinking... how do we define contribution on this site, and how SHOULD we define contribution?

There are those people on the forums who come here and spend most of their time in the Politics/Religion/etc. and F&G threads. There isn't anything wrong with this, but on the other hand, does running up posts in F&G, where you get a post for uttering 1 word, mean you are a bigger contributor then say, someone who has far less posts, but contributes lengthier posts into the BDSM-related threads (BDSM Gen Talk, My BDSM Life, D/Sw/s area, etc)?

Don't get me wrong--there is a little something for everyone on this site--writers, newbies, o/l, r/l, non-BDSM, and whatever makes your boat rock, you should do it. But when did the post count start being something we should reward? Like "oh hey Bob, great job there on spending 10 hr in F&G posting back and forth one word answers. You posted so much these past few weeks we're going to give you a reward for how much you posted." Versus, say "oh hey Sally, your posts recently in My BDSM Life have been very insightful & helpful as resources for newbies, but because they are quality and not quantity, you don't get rewarded with a Hall of Fame badge." Anyone else see anything wrong with this? We're a BDSM site. Why do we reward F&G posts? Let people go crazy in F&G, have a lollapalooza--but WHY do we reward that more then we award substantive, BDSM posts?? Anyone else here see the irony?

I am not angry or bitter, or whatever other feelings people want to attach to it... I just think that it's something to think about with respect to what we "reward" in our little society here. Do I suggest more awards? God no, we already have a ridiculous amount of them as is, and to be honest, I can't stand the thought of more little icons in sig blocks (sorry, that's my personal opinion there). But people, when did satisfaction for helping someone out, for lending a newbie a hand, for posting resourceful lifestyle information, for having thoughful discussions, get trumped by this ridiculousness of running up post counts?

For those who have 5000-10000-15000-20000-30000+ posts and want to jump down my throat by saying "hey I contribute a lot here, damn it, you are trying to say I don't"--that isn't what I mean AT ALL. I am talking about the vast group of folks who NEVER post in F&G, don't have enormous post counts, but get overlooked because we reward strictly on points. Again, if you want to post like a mad, crazy person in F&G, go for it! Nothing stopping you, and if that's how you get your kicks, GREAT!!! I have noooo problem with that!!! But shouldn't we also be rewarding substance & quality over quantity?

Just something for people to chew on & think a little about...



Respectfully as always,

delia

[Haelix]

I think this is a very good issue to mention.. looking at the top posters in forums, its easy to see for those using post count as a measuring stick, that there's absolutely no way for anyone new to come close to hitting those numbers. You guys have added a "Thanks" counter and I think that's quality of sorts... who has posted the most helpful info as judged by the community. But at the same time, thats also almost a user-based popularity thing as well.

Idea... other forums and sites have a built-in "Karma" system which sometimes works kindof like a combination of post-count and Thanks. What if you guys added something similar to this, but forum specific? For the sake of the example I'll call it "Karma" here...

You could technically set it up to where in certain forums (BDSM-related) upon posting, the processing form would go through a word-count, and if your response contained more than a few words... or more than X words (say 20-40+ words, as an actual thought out response to something) you could get a "karma" point. This would get us closer to a point system based more on Quality-than-Quantity... although this would also breed those Alpha-types that would just ramble and ramble and ramble to hit that number (do I get karma points yet?) All of this could be done behind the scenes with no one actually knowing specific formulas.. and for most here, that wouldnt matter. But it would reward those who took the time to write out full responses or their opinions to responses over just "I agree!" and post.

In other forums, say F&G, maybe its not a "Karma"-worthy forum. So while posts still increase, this new "Quality Contribution" measuring system wouldnt be applicable there.

Oh, and of course then you could have polls and contests to name the new measuring stick.. and all the fun and such that would ensue from that.

Awards: Is there an award for Chat Jackass of the Month? I think I'm due.

[gemmy]

*waves to Haelix* ltns :D

I couldn't agree more delia *applauds*

I think everyone adds in their own way - regardless how it's rewarded, if it's rewarded or not.

There are many great educational posts that help in supporting people in their journey and there are equally great light, laughing posts that may make a person smile when they just need a smile.

I don't think we should sweat the small stuff and just enjoy the site as a whole in all it offers.

To the Admins - Thank you for an excellent job here. Personally having run a site for five years, I know it's not an easy task and all the work, effort and sometimes bullshit that you have to get through can be trying so I do appreciate it!

[butterflySlave4u]

respectfully, delia, i think you answered your own query in the title of your post...."contributing".

The people who win the "Hall of Fame" awards are socially moving around the circuit, interacting with those of us who only occasionally post. We learn a little about them, and they move on....And yes, some people do pay attention to how many posts they've "contributed" to our community. And that's fine, as you've said, the F&G section seems to be the most popular for that. But it's just that....Fun and Games...and as members of this BDSM society, are we not allowed fun and games outside the bedroom, as well as inside?

If someone posts something that particularly touches you, that YOU think is worthy of note, then by all means, acknowledge it. Our wonderful forums have many ways of doing that...the "Thanks for this particularly useful Post" at the bottom of every contribution is one...you can also PM the author, publically on their profile page, or even Privately...e-mail, being another option. I think in the grander scheme of things, the author would MUCH more appreciate the personal communique! And i think that something like that would be their TRUE "Hall of Fame" moment.

We've been given all of those options by you, the admin staff. And they're wonderful....delia, i get your point...but for some here, the socialization and camaraderie is enough. To interact with like-minded individuals...we're all contributing, in one way or another.....

Karen

[Master1Roy]

yep

[Master1Roy]

1 also thinks at times 1 word is enough said and that more can be said otherwise I also agree with butterflyslave4u as well

[Warbaby1943]

I was going to ignore this thread and I probably should but I have never been one to keep my mouth shut. I can't speak for others who like to post and play games but as far as I am concerned I DID NOT come here looking for awards, never even entered my mind so if they bother you that much I'm sure you can eliminate them very easily.

As far as contributions go this forum would be rather dead without the F & G section and sponsors may be less likely to want to advertise here if he place was inactive a large percentage of the time. Also it would be a hell of a lot less welcoming place since most all who play games are also the ones who take the time to go and welcome new people to the forums.

So if a smaller and less active site is the goal then eliminate the F & G section. I think I may have suggested a very similar action about 7 or 8 months ago. Have at it if that is what you think this place needs and would be best over all for the forum.

[gagged_Louise]

I think you have a lot of good points, Delia, and at the time when I was on staff I actually did broach some of these issues openly myself, on an internal staff forum. That could appear ironic because I was recruited to take charge of the Hall of Fame, which is connected to the numbers count, but I made it quite open that to me numbers don't imply that much in themselves, beyond the fun factor, and I absolutely don't consider myself a "VIP member" because of so and so many posts. That's just numbers, dammit, and in any case 95% of the posts here are more or less buried just weeks after they were written. So if I feel I'm contributing it's because of the personal qualities of a good deal of what is posted: openness, sensuality, friendship, sexiness, a sense of community. How would I say I'm a "better member" than Tessa, ladygstar, Oz or Alex? Still, a lot of my own posting here has been intertwined with making friendships, connecting to people and often new people here.

I can see there is an irritation factor if you have on the one hand a band of people who appear to be doing nothing but playing games in very short posts, and on the other hand serious (older?) people who are discussing bdsm and dungeon equipment in a factual and experienced way and who feel they don't get their share of recognition. Tensions of that kind is something we have to live with here, because this place spans at least three generations and people who have very different expectations.

I would love to see a stronger emphasis on the writing activity, on imagination, and I think Nikita and Alex are up to just that. As long as people will see a place like this can't be measured just by a few "top members" - it is too rich for that.

[denuseri]

<<has asked to contribute more to the site, its helped and supported me alot, i am just now begining to explore the forums more often, baby steps, and interested in learning more,

[jeanne]

One thing to remember in defense of the F & G forum - it's a wonderful place for newbies to come to and have a little fun and meet members in a more relaxed atmosphere tthan chat. When I came to the library, I tried both. Hated chat, loved F & G. I don't go there too much any more, but I met some wonderful people there...Pertez, louise, DungeonMaster6, Hawk_Fann come to mind right away...there can be some fun conversations going on in those silly posts. :)

As for the awards based on post count - who cares? For those to whom post counts and thanks counts are important...go for it. For the rest of us who measure our worth differently...we'll just do our thing.

[lily27]

I remember the days before the hall of fame, and I have to say that there seemed to be a pretty drastic and immediate fall off of long and insightful posting in favour of quick one word replies in the fun and games forum. It seemed like very few people could be bothered to spend 20 minutes writing out a reply when they could instead increase their post count by 50 during that time. It has gotten better as of late, but I actually wandered off for several months at one point just because there was very little activity relating to BDSM anymore.

I know that some people who are active in the F&G forums also post in the other areas as well, but there are a few people that have thousands and thousands of posts that I have never even heard of before.

I have to admit that there are times that I question the value of having a fun and games forum at all. I understand that people enjoy it, but is it to the detriment of having more activity revolving around BDSM, which is what this forum is here for to begin with? (I don't actually know the answer to this question, just throwing it out there.) There was a time where at least most of the games threads required wit, humour and creativity, instead of "let's all count consecutive numbers."

As Warbaby said, eliminating it would definitely reduce the size of the site. But is that a bad thing? If people are going to leave because there isn't a fun and games section, is that really a problem for a BDSM-specific site? I belong to other forums on different topics where there are thousands of new posts in a day, and they are all on the main topic of the forum.... with nobody missing a games section.

This isn't my site, so I know there are probably other issues to deal with, but personally I would prefer to see a much more active forum based on BDSM.... I am not sure exactly how to acheive that.

I don't really have an opinion one way or another about the "Thanks" button... however, there have been a few times I wished we had a "No Thanks" one. LOL.

So that is my two cents. I am sure it will probably anger a lot of people, but that has never really stopped me. Sometimes you have to take a step back and ask if something is really working, or if it is having some unintended consequences. There have been a lot of really excellent contributors who have gone away over the years... not with big dramatic "I'm leaving!" exits, but just fading away. I would be very interested in finding out why they left.

[gagged_Louise]

One thing to remember in defense of the F & G forum - it's a wonderful place for newbies to come to and have a little fun and meet members in a more relaxed atmosphere tthan chat. When I came to the library, I tried both. Hated chat, loved F & G. I don't go there too much any more, but I met some wonderful people there...Pertez, louise, DungeonMaster6, Hawk_Fann come to mind right away...there can be some fun conversations going on in those silly posts. :)

As for the awards based on post count - who cares? For those to whom post counts and thanks counts are important...go for it. For the rest of us who measure our worth differently...we'll just do our thing.

I'm very much with Jeanne here, and it's no accident we bonded fast as soon as she appaeared on the Games board. I didn't find the chat a place that was easy to adapt to and actually get through in a nuanced way - the number of people, the hail of short lines meshed through with shorts and signspeak - and then bleak silence sometimes - made it hard to focus easily on one or two people when you wanted to. I don't communicate in punchlines, sometimes I need to be a bit longer, more written, or keep to a line of questions and that's not easily done in a chat log - simply gets lost in the flow of single-lines and talk (I know the kind of "internet lingo": b4, fyi, lmao, kind of dot-to-dot phrases, but didn't grow up with it, and not being native to English that kind of chat talk sometimes won't kick in with me). F&G proved much more supple and like Jeanne, I feel it sometimes worked as a kind of submerged one-on-one talk. So the idea of dropping F&G, apart from not being realistic, would also make this a much harder and stonier place to get into, and it might pull more people who pretend to have spent fifteen years in r/l bdsm relationships because that would be a surefire way to get recognized.

One thing that's precious about the Library is that it's open to newcomers and people without a lot of experience, taking account of that you don't have to live up to an ideal image of a Dominant or sub. While F&G and some other forums may seem loose some of the time, and shirking some of the attention (I agree some of the posting on F&G is a bit routinish) they help guard that open vibe to the place.

[lily27]

Also it would be a hell of a lot less welcoming place since most all who play games are also the ones who take the time to go and welcome new people to the forums.


I would be willing to argue that for some people that is because it takes all of 15 seconds to type out "Welcome!" or post a smilie, and that too is an easy way to up your post count.

[sisterhoney61 {RW}]

I understand where you are coming from, delia. but I also see butterflyslave's point of view too. One way that I've gotten going onto 400 posts and only being here for two months is because of the F&G section. However, I am not looking to work towards any kind of posting award in the future. As jeanne said. who cares? When it comes to the other sections what people here are going to remember is the wonderful advice you gave someone or the terrific story you posted in the writer's section. They aren't going to pay attention to the fact that you have racked up 3000 posts because of the F&G section.

I personally like the F&G section. I have chronic insomnia and I often post there late at night when I get bored playing online solitaire. As others in the chat room have figured out, I multitask when I'm in there and it's usually because I'm posting in the F&G section. And as butterflyslave pointed out, we in BDSM deserve to have fun and games as well. After all, don't we call our sessions "play"?

[Tufty]

Just my thoughts…

I first found this site when I was looking for some ideas for BDSM stories and posted two stories before I actually joined the Forums. I looked at all those threads in the different areas and thought to myself, Well, they’re all fairly clued up on matters BDSM…and I don’t want to post for fear of embarrassing myself!” However, I did post in a couple of threads and seemed to be totally ignored. The same in the Chat Room – even saying ‘hello’ to the people in there was a nightmare and folks didn’t often bother to respond to the ‘newbie’ in the room.

The F&G thread was, for me, the best place to get to know people and it does appear to be the place where the new folks come to get acquainted with the site. If I hadn’t found the F&G thread, I would probably have never posted in any of the other threads, simply because I didn’t feel that ‘knew’ anybody. Even now, I agree with lily27 when she says, “…but there are a few people that have thousands and thousands of posts that I have never even heard of before."

I’ve made some very good o/l friends in the six months that I’ve been here and I must agree with Louise’s comment ”….posting here has been intertwined with making friendships, connecting to people and often new people here.” I also hear the comment from Warbaby1943 that “…most all who play games are also the ones who take the time to go and welcome new people to the forums.” Again there are many people greet the new members and it isn't solely those who frequent the F&G thread.

As for counting the number of posts (and I was the one who initially started the ‘stuck counter’ thread), it really isn’t important at all. I started the thread because somebody PMd me and asked if I’d noticed that the counts weren’t rising and I thought that Admin should know about it. I wasn’t really aware of 10k posts award until I received one.

As I see it, this site is about like-minded people sharing information, discussing various topics, writing stories, making friends and having fun while they do these things….and we all contribute in our own different ways.

Reading all these posts in this thread has made me feel guilty about 'contributing' to the F&G thread now.

[Phantome]

Well, I just typed out a wonderfully well-thought-out post, and I pushed the wrong button and deleted it all. :( Let's see if I can reconstruct it...

I agree that it seems like people put too much emphasis on post count, which should be taken with a grain of salt. I do feel there is a place for both F&G and BDSM-related threads here. The F&G section is very low-pressure, and is a great way for people to get to know members of the forum, plus it's nice to have a place with familiar faces where I can unwind if I choose, and not have to think too hard.

That said, I rarely visit the F&G section, but some of the times that I did, I have raised my eyebrows at the number of unfamiliar faces in the F&G section who have thousands of posts, because they rarely post in the rest of the forum. I have definitely wondered about how the other folks around here view the value of post counts. I have been here for years, but only have a few hundred posts. Does that make me less valuable as a friend or contributor? On the flip side, if someone has a very low thread count because they're new or just don't post in F&G, does that make their thoughts less worthy of consideration? Even though it's obvious (to me, at least) that some high thread counts are almost nothing but F&G, it seems as though that's a quickly forgotton fact.

I guess I'm just saying that I don't really pay much attention to post counts as a measure of someone's value to the forum. I pay more attention to the content which they post, and I occasionally take note of how long they've been a member. I think that if someone stumbles across this forum and finds a welcoming sense of community, then I'd say we have a pretty successful forum, and whether that happens in F&G, chat, or the rest of the forum, I don't think it matters.



There have been a lot of really excellent contributors who have gone away over the years... not with big dramatic "I'm leaving!" exits, but just fading away. I would be very interested in finding out why they left.

There was a time that I went away for many months. Whether I was missed or not (or even considered an "excellent contributor"), I don't know, but I'm back now. If you are interested in finding out why, PM me.

-Phan

[cadence]

I think I have been here for about two years, my post count would still be under a thousand, had I not become a greeter and thought it would be a good idea to greet people in the introduction thread.

I don't really care about the post count, if someone else does, that is thier perogative, I have no issues with that.

I am on another forum where post count does matter, (if you are truly a sarcastic, mean opinionated moron, that might be overlooked), consider yourself ostracized until you at least have over a 1000 posts, and even then you better be prepared to become mean, opinionated and sarcastic.

I can count on one hand the number of people I personally know here, so it is obvious I don't go to F&G much. And I must note that there is nothing wrong with having a large post count in F&G. A person could make numourous posts here and there, but I like to at least look for substance and the general tone of the post. Some of the people who do post quite a bit in the F&G thread, have made some substantial posts elsewhere.

I have also run across a couple of posters here, who may have had very few posts, but they infuse a certain attitude within thier writing that makes me admire them quite a bit.

I just realized that my post is a bit biased.
I know that I was very afraid of posting for fear of being judged and criticized. It is discouraging to some newcomers to come out and post, when they are worried about being judged based on the substance of thier writing.
Everyone has something to say.

As for rewarding post counts, last I looked it said "Forum God" (my interpretation means "god that's a lot of posts!!!!), not "Forum Contributor", we do have awards for that as well.

[Warbaby1943]

I would be willing to argue that for some people that is because it takes all of 15 seconds to type out "Welcome!" or post a smilie, and that too is an easy way to up your post count.I don't want to argue with you anyone else because I personally don't give a fuck one way or the other what is thought by anyone about my post count . I'll just say if it is so fucking easy why do more not do it? I do not post welcomes to new people to advance my post count. I don't need to use that as a vehicle to increase them.

[angelic.zest]

i can only speak for myself, when i say this and maybe a few others...

I enjoy posting here and enjoy posting in the F&G, but i only post outside of F&G when i feel i have something important to say, or something that i think i should say. For me i take my time when i post out of F&G, look over my post, several times before clicking submit Lmao..but hey thats just me, im self conscious about expression my throughts, in a forum such as this one because i dont to be judged and criticized.

i dont think this thread was meant to point fingers at those who post in F&G or for those who just go to Religion and Politics, Erotic Photos, etc...i take it just as her vent thread, which is open for discussion.. ahh

The point count really doesnt mean shit to me, it really doesnt, its a nice feature but im sure we all will survivie if its not there but i really do like F&Gs..and if a certain set of ppl dont want to go in there, dont ..ignore that whole section of the forum, if u feel it kiddish. *shrugs*

zesty~

[annie]

To me the post count doesn't matter. It annoys me to see members applauded and congratulated for the number of posts simple because of how they were achieved most of the time. That being said though, that is my issue to either get upset about or ignore. So, I choose to ignore it and very seldom recognize those "accomplishments."

We have tried various other awards. The last set of "yearly" awards was while I was on staff. Honestly, it was a nightmare on many assorted fronts for many assorted reasons. There were also 2 awards called the "Rabbit" awards which were created basically to balance out the post count awards and to recognize contributors with fewer post counts. Those were to have been done quarterly and obviously died a quick death after the first set was given out. I am concerned that staff has continued to keep up the post count awards and not the contributor awards though. Personally, if all sets aren't worth doing then none of them should be done.

No one will be happy no matter which way it is handled.... my only request for the future would be a way to sort "new posts" and leave out forms you aren't interested in looking at, such as F&G. Perhaps have it an option on the CPuser where you can choose which sub forums to show on a now post search. Having 4 pages of new posts of which less then 1/2 of one page actually relate to anything other then F&G is a waste of my time since I do post there but seldom. Just as it is a waste of others time I'm sure to have to sort through other sections that they aren't interested in.

[thepast]

Great thoughts everyone. Of course there are as many viewpoints on this as there are on any other issue...

The point of my post wasn't accusatory in any way (as I stated in the post), nor was it to diminish the roles people enjoy having for themselves on the forums. It was more a "food for thought" post, to perhaps lure some people out of their comfort zone a little to post where they otherwise wouldn't, and to perhaps remind everyone that the forums is a HUGE place, with TONS of different people, but at the same time, getting to know new folks (whether they are new to you or just new to the site in general) is 1/2 the fun of the o/l world... after all, we would all be quite boring if we just talked to ourselves & our stuffed hippos all day... not that I do that...

I knew some people w/higher post counts might get defensive with this thread & that wasn't the point... the point was simply to open everyone's eyes that there is more out there then just post counts.

Tufty, I apologize if it appeared my remark on that "tech problem" re: the post counter appeared to be directed at you--it wasn't. You make lots of contributions to the site... it was simply demonstrative of my point (albiet taken perhaps out of context).

Lastly, I would also state that I mentioned in my original post that I didn't think there should be more "awards" or anything of the like... I guess my question is, why even award post count? What if we just did away with that category of award entirely? And left the awards for things like writing, photos, etc? Inherently most awards are popularity contests or they are somewhat mechanistic (the Hall of Fame here)... If everyone with the high post counts says that the awards don't really matter, why not just get rid of them? Why keep them in sig blocks, or keep announcing them? Why not just let all members be "equal"??

Now, please note I don't speak for the staff of the forums. Let me repeat: I DON'T SPEAK FOR THE STAFF. So before everyone says "well as a staff member you should..." I am not staff. I am merely posting as a forums member.

I think that's all I have left to say after a long day...

Thanks for the great thoughts, everyone!

[Tojo]

I think the best thing we can contribute to the site, & perhaps the world in general is a little more effort in getting on with each other.

Why is it so hard to accept that not everyone agrees with our particular point of view? How boring would it be if we all agreed 100% about everything?

Places such as this are discussion forums, where a range of topics are debated & differing views put forth. What I say is what I believe- however I'd be pretty dumb & narrow-minded if I wasn't prepared to look at the oppposing view.


I'm sorry if this upsets anyone- but guys, there is no right or wrong in what we talk about. There is no 'right' way to be in a D/s relationship, or any 'wrong' way. All we can do is contribute our own thoughts & beliefs- some will agree, & some.......will disagree! :eek:

[***Kate***]

there's rewards?
there's a post counter ?

shrugs

[butterflySlave4u]

To me the post count doesn't matter. It annoys me to see members applauded and congratulated for the number of posts simple because of how they were achieved most of the time. That being said though, that is my issue to either get upset about or ignore. So, I choose to ignore it and very seldom recognize those "accomplishments."

We have tried various other awards. The last set of "yearly" awards was while I was on staff. Honestly, it was a nightmare on many assorted fronts for many assorted reasons. There were also 2 awards called the "Rabbit" awards which were created basically to balance out the post count awards and to recognize contributors with fewer post counts. Those were to have been done quarterly and obviously died a quick death after the first set was given out. I am concerned that staff has continued to keep up the post count awards and not the contributor awards though. Personally, if all sets aren't worth doing then none of them should be done.

No one will be happy no matter which way it is handled.... my only request for the future would be a way to sort "new posts" and leave out forms you aren't interested in looking at, such as F&G. Perhaps have it an option on the CPuser where you can choose which sub forums to show on a now post search. Having 4 pages of new posts of which less then 1/2 of one page actually relate to anything other then F&G is a waste of my time since I do post there but seldom. Just as it is a waste of others time I'm sure to have to sort through other sections that they aren't interested in.

To take it a step further, perhaps place the post counts elsewhere within the forum, so as to not distract from ones accomplishments? Perhaps insert the number of posts an individual has on their profile page, as opposed to plugging it into their sigature? Or making it optional to have it posted publically or privately.

[gemmy]

Hmmm I just saw the OP as a note to say it is all worthwhile but that having to defend a low post count as not being a viable part of the site not an accurate statement.

I think it's all worthwhile personally and if those that see F&G as frivolous don't have to go there, simply

We all come here for different reasons, that's the beauty of diversity and a high quality in this community (BDSM)

Recognizing post count for fun rewards is just that - Fun

We all add value ;)

[Ozme52]

Saying thanks for reaching a milestone such as 1000 posts is one thing... creating the appellation of Forum God/Goddess is another.

WB, who never asked for it, was the first. Kinda cool. But then, because an icon was added to be put in the signature, it was like it became a goal in and of itself.

That was, imo, when post-counts became more important than content or intent (eg to have fun in F&G) Now I see compitition in the Thank-you count... I was sorry to see it created.

That said, this seems like the third or fourth time post-counting has been discussed and in the end, we all tend to agree that doing something to change it is irrelevent to the continued health of the forum.

So why rehash it? (Now that I've had my say of course. :rolleyes: LOL)

[sisterhoney61 {RW}]

I don't want to argue with you anyone else because I personally don't give a fuck one way or the other what is thought by anyone about my post count . I'll just say if it is so fucking easy why do more not do it? I do not post welcomes to new people to advance my post count. I don't need to use that as a vehicle to increase them.

I personally don't understand what is the problem with Warbaby or anyone else typing in a 15 second welcome to newcomers to these forums. I personally have been to other forums where I have posted a "Hello, I'm new here" post and have been ignored. At least the newcomers to this board are welcomed with open arms. Regulars here let them know that they are welcome to the site and are made to feel so. And if posting welcomes to newcomers ups someone's post count, so freakin' what?

[TomOfSweden]

Quality beats quantity. People who read, reflect and connect beat those who shoot from the hip.

Number of posts I think is a worthless number. I don't count posts in "fun and games" as posts at all. It's more a chat...

So, I think that person who criticised you Delia can go and screw himself. But that reminds me that it was quite a while since I remember reading anything from you.

[crazy_grrluk]

I always start at the top of the boards working thru each section everytime I log on here and it might take me a while to end up in F&G. I do, when I feel I have something to contribute, post outside the games section... like I am now. Post count isnt really an issue but it does remind me how much I have posted and how long I spend on the boards LOL.
As for the thankyous I have noticed that I am top of that but havent got a clue where they all come from!!!! I know some are from the jokes I post but thats about it. and I have only given 3 thank yous in the time they have been running.

F&G for me is like a release from everyday crap. I dont go into the chatroom and yes one can have a right old giggle in there.

cg

[icey]

i must admit after running my own site in the past that logging in on a mornings and finding the majority of threads/posts were often jokes and games was at times a bit frustrating when the site was created for bdsm discussions and we had put a lot of effort and hard work into bringing up issues to suit and interest all peoples tastes (not always easy!)
it did also at times put new members off from joining in rather than encouraging them to make friends feeling that that we wernt a 'serious' site and they were a little uncomfortable for fear it was a bit cliquish, we recieved quite a few pm's and emails telling us so.
we always did our best to make them comfortable and assure them we wernt,
some took note and did join in...others didnt.

but whilst that disappointed us occasionally we had always prided ourselves on being a friendly community and a safe place for people to come to and our most regular and loyal friends (i believe) always recognised that, and hopefully to all site thats one of the most important achievements and we all do have other interests outside of bdsm and a sense of humour and friendships do develop through these forums, one thing to remember as well is that in our shared interest in bdsm we do not all have the shared interest in some related issues and live our 'lifestyle' in a totally different way therefore we cant always 'contribute' or even have much of an interest in some threads but can still come back day after day with that sense of belonging with likeminded people and chatting with friends especially for people like myself who are not comfortable in chatrooms and when they see a thread thats relevant are more comfortable with joining in and ive noticed often the ones offering support to people when people need it the most .

my personal opinion is that the post count doesnt really matter i dont think that people post simply to up them its just a bit of fun, admittedly ...this is where people can jump in and give me a bollocking lol... it can make the sigs look a bit messy but i do feel the thankyou button is of value we found out when we added it just how many people did appreciate the time and thought people had contributed to posts by being able to 'press' it but they just didnt have anything to say on that particular subject for whatever the reason.and that makes it worthwhile for people who had posted knowing that they wernt simply posting for it to be ignored and that what they had to say was appreciated and taken seriously...and although i cant know but im guessing the sames true here.

im very shy and generally pretty timid (surprisingly) when posting worrying ive said the wrong thing,offended someone or appear foolish and other than my own i never felt comfortable joining in with other forums and it made it much easier for me to join in here, even if i do piss people off at times with my odd views lol through not just knowing some of you but also joining in the games at times, so to me personally that's been of value and its made the difference and given me confidence to come here each day and enjoy reading and posting on the more serious theads too which admittedly i prefer and tend to look through first (but thats my preference,i have the choice like everyone else) ...i doubt that particularly matters to anyone in the long run but it has to me and hopefully it does the same for others.

on a more practical note it can also help site owners and the more senior members (nope im not saying numbers count!) if they're wanting new members with fresh opinions/experiences to join in and give new perspectives, when people are sufing sites one of the things they look at is post counts to see if its 'worthwhile' joining.

good thread delia, and one in my opinion worth bringing up, at first i thought it might set off a bit of a spark lol but people should feel able to give input regarding the site on their likes and dislikes and everyone as with anything should respect that whether they agree or not.hopefully it's what helps sites and therefore its members to mutually develop the way they want it to go and understand that what works for some doesnt for others.

those who dont want to go through the f&gs can mark those forums read.

just a few thoughts and another of my long rambles lol its early morning..thats my excuse!

[thepast]

To answer some questions I have the answers to (since I have done a little research into this... )

1. Moving the post counter really isn't an option right now--it gets into the actual programming language of the site, and to be honest, unless I am mistaken (T?) Tiger has a lot of other higher priority things on his list to be doing... so, it will stay where it is for now...

1a. Awards: again, totally not advocating more & more & more of them... God no. I don't think there is a "simple" answer to this whole question I posted in the OP, which is, *grins*, why I posted it! :) It was to open the floor to have a discussion, not to get a a "right answer"--there IS no right answer! (wow, how frustrating that must be for some people *giggles*)

2. I don't see anything WRONG with the F&G-- which I believe I made clear with my first post. But eh, who knows. F&G, like all other areas of the forums, attracts some types of people, and what works for them, works for them.

That being said, posting short posts in the Welcome/Intro threads (i.e. "hello & welcome to the site"), IMO, serves an ENTIRELY different purpose then posting a word into an F&G thread. Saying hello & welcome to someone in the intro threads is like welcoming them into the family. Now, some will say "oh, but I do that elsewhere" or "oh, but I do that via PM" etc etc etc--and that's great. But the welcome threads are used for people to be able to introduce themselves & to feel welcomed to the site. And important thing, no? It's like when new people come into chat & everyone says hello and welcome. We do that for a purpose... it isn't just a coinkidink--and it breeds onto itself... so if new people are welcomed by others, they in turn will welcome other new people :)

And yes, as many have mentioned, the high rate of traffic into those F&G threads "helps the site traffic" and serves statistical "purpose"--of course it does. But why not have a high rate of traffic into all the other areas as well? *shrugs* Again, juuuuust food for thought.

As for marking forums... personally, I don't mark anything, but that could just be me being a loser. The forums are grouped on the site according to "broad topic," so I just scout through the various themed areas. Maybe others who are having subscribed thread issues, or issues with "list new threads" maybe could just try that? Just click right into the areas you like? I dunno, again, I don't have experience w/that whole subscribing thing to really know how it runs.

3. TomofSweden... Just to clear up a point you made. You mentioned you haven't seen me posting around lately. There are MANY reasons for this, some public, some private. But a.) I am in the middle of law school, thus time on the site is limited; b.) when I am on, I am in chat--I don't see you in there, so you don't see me here. Funny how that works *giggles*. I am the chat admin, so I do about 95% of my 'biness in the chatroom, and slide into forums when I have time, or when there is something pertinent I have to add to a substantive thread; c.) when I post, I generally (90% of the time) am posting something substantive, so I post a LOT less because they take a lot more time to write. And often it's into threads you aren't nosing around. Why? Who knows! LOL... Forums is a big place... hell, there are lots of people I don't even know because they don't post into the BDSM-related threads, or don't visit the chat room, so I don't interact much with them. Maybe you & I are just two people whose paths don't cross often :)

So why make this thread then, since I "don't post"?? Because I think it's important for people to just think about things & talk about things sometimes--there are many ways to have friendly, cordial debates & conversations--this thread is a great example! So why not? It's like the thread I started about fantasy partners--I personally like to get people thinking & talking & debating.


I akin this all to a r/l munch group... people talk about all sorts of topics, etc at munches & get togethers. Literally spanning everything from news to what ropes are best for certain activities... and that is much the same here on the forums... Nothing wrong with sticking to one topic in a convo, but why not expand your horizons & talk about other things? Or wander over & talk with a group you haven't talked to before? Perhaps awkward the first time... but you never know who you'll meet! :)


Again, just my opinion... And as we all know, with my opinion & $2, you can buy yourself a 1/2 a gallon of gas...

[TomOfSweden]

I wasn't questioning your capacity to moderate since you don't post stuff. Moderating effectively I think is more about what you don't do rather than what you do. The most opinionated foul mouths will never work as moderators.

...and nobody will ever need an excuse not to hang on an Internet forum, moderator or not. We need excuses when we do hang here :)

[thrall]

It boils down to comfort levels of participation......

Do you think someone shy or uncomfortable with posting would be more likely to post a single one word answer in fun and games.......or a whole diatribe in BDSM general???....The point is they posted. And hopefully the experience will be good and positive and will lead to more participation in other topics....

I could care less about the post count...and yes I have gotten quite a few posts in fun and games, because I enjoy them.......but I also participate in all sections of the library. The writers block, prose, poetry and photo art, BDSM and general.....all of it, including chat. Truthfully, for the longest time I didn’t allow the “Forum Goddess” flag in my profile. Personally I think its rather tasteless….I didn’t realize there was a thing as “post envy”…and oh God now… “welcome envy”……..LOL

The games however are more then you relies.........especially if you don't frequent them often and watch the flow of the games.....They are not always insipid one word jokes. They can be a fast paced prid quo pro form of communication...Its a very good way to get to know people...even if it is only one or two word at a time.....

You get to know how people feel...and what they think, you get to know who they are. Are they happy or sad today? Did they have a good day or a bad day. Do they feel good or bad...All without the pressure of having a "conversation" with someone else... The games are a good place to blow off steam and not to make a joke…..but to play with your self.

You just can’t go into chat and spill your guts......but in games you can if you want to…Some people won’t take the time or have the desire to make long posts, but are willing to share themselves in a more light hearted way.

For example....my personal favorite.."Reason for a spanking"..

...........Because I am sad to see this thread......


So, should “post count” be recognized?. Yes I think it should and for several reasons. High post counts indicate an active and alive site, something that advertisers look for. Most importantly, it tells members that they are valued.

Granted members who don’t like the fun and games section will not have post counts as high those that do. So why not lower the bar??...say every 250 or 500 posts?? And change the flag at each milestone…..that way everyone, no matter where and how they post will be recognized.

[Logic1]

On another forum I visit (not with this topic though) they removed postcount due to loads of ++ threads and just ++ing in other threads.
After that they removed postcount at all. I know postcount is a fun kinda way to measure but it isnt exactly anything but just that.. fun.
++ing is fun ;) but does it count as a contribution?

[Tojo]

Oh this sucks- Oz has more posts than me!!

Damn, I'm crushed :32:

[Tufty]

Tufty, I apologize if it appeared my remark on that "tech problem" re: the post counter appeared to be directed at you--it wasn't. You make lots of contributions to the site... it was simply demonstrative of my point (albiet taken perhaps out of context).

No need for apologies, delia. It wasn't taken personally at all :)

[lily27]

I don't want to argue with you anyone else because I personally don't give a fuck one way or the other what is thought by anyone about my post count . I'll just say if it is so fucking easy why do more not do it? I do not post welcomes to new people to advance my post count. I don't need to use that as a vehicle to increase them.

If you don't care, then why are you getting so firey about it? My comment wasn't specifically about you... I used the word "some" and even bolded it because I expected it to be misinterpreted from the beginning.

I think it is great that people welcome the newbies.... but you said it was mostly the people who frequent the F&G section that do so. I pointed out that for SOME people it is not out of any great benevolance, but is simply another way to easily up their post count.

Why don't I take the time to do it? Because if I only have 20 minutes on the forum, I would rather take it to respond to someone's question in another area, than to go and "Welcome!" 20 people.

And "willing to argue" is more a turn of phrase than anything else. No reason to bring out the F-bombs.

[lily27]

I don't have a problem with the F&G section persay, and at one point spent a fair bit of time for myself. BUT... I do wonder sometimes if it takes away from the site (note, I said "wonder".... and am not declaring this such.... this is as much an open ended question as delia's original one was). If it was taken away (again, not proposing... just thinking outloud) would everyone just disappear, or would that activity just move to other areas of the site?

For me, if removing F&G results in MORE BDSM discussion, I think it is a fabulous trade. (Notice I said "If"? I don't know for sure what would happen one way or another.... just musing outloud again.)

As for the post-count awards, I am all for getting rid of them and definitely not for adding more. Before the Hall of Fame people would strive for their first 150 posts in order to get into the Cellar. But then the "bar" was raised to 1000 and the quantity vs. quality balance seriously shifted. People would come into the chat room desperately looking for someone to go play F&G with them so they could win their awards. I am personally aware of members who stayed up all night for the SOLE REASON of winning their award.

I don't see much value in the contributor awards either, but only because giving them out becomes a huge nightmare, and how can you possibly compare one good contributor to another? Personally, I get more out of someone commenting about what I have said in the thread (not just hitting the Thanks button) or when I get PMs from people thanking me for what I have posted.

[gemmy]

It boils down to comfort levels of participation......

I think so too - although I read in the F&G, I don't often post in there simply because I don't know everyone well enough to poke fun at them and don't want to upset anyone - I do, however, get a great giggle reading in there



...I didn’t realize there was a thing as “post envy”…and oh God now… “welcome envy”……..LOL

lol now that is funny *giggles*

[Tufty]

People would come into the chat room desperately looking for someone to go play F&G with them so they could win their awards. I am personally aware of members who stayed up all night for the SOLE REASON of winning their award.


Really??? :confused:

[lily27]

Really??? :confused:

Absolutely. I don't know if it is still occuring (I am not around here as much anymore) but it was definitely pretty rampant when the HOF was first introduced.

[Warbaby1943]

And "willing to argue" is more a turn of phrase than anything else. No reason to bring out the F-bombs.You have the knack of bringing out the best in me. Notice I said you.

[sisterhoney61 {RW}]

Ok, I think that I have a legit question here. Up until this thread I personally never noticed how many posts I or anyone else on this board had, because how many posts anyone has really doesn't mean anything to me. *shrugs*

My question is: what is the reasoning behind the post count in the first place? I belong to several other boards and they have post counts (in fact, at one of my other boards someone just today brought up the top ten posters on the board. Whippee?). But what is the point of post counts? I'm sure there has to be a reasoning behind it. As far as I know, the other boards I belong to don't offer awards to the people with the most posts.

I know this all sounds convuluted, but until delia started this thread I never realized that posting numbers were all that important and meant anything. I mean, I can understand a total post count of everyone altogether would be important, because then that would show the moderators how active the site was in general. And if they had post counts of each section on the board they could see which were the most popular and that would help them decide if they should get rid of certain sections or combine them with others, etc. But why the individual post counts of the forum members? Why are those posted? And it's not just this site I'm asking about; all the forums I am active on do this and I was just wondering why this was so. I'm sure there is a reason behind it.

[thrall]

I think so too - although I read in the F&G, I don't often post in there simply because I don't know everyone well enough to poke fun at them and don't want to upset anyone - I do, however, get a great giggle reading in there



MG....that is just the point...its "fun and games"...you dont HAVE to know anyone!..there is no "chat protocol" to follow...no ...may i talk to you ..or can i let myself into a conversation...not of that!!

The point is to just answer the questions........anyway you want, however you want.....and have fun!!

Hope to see you in Fun and Games!!!!

[Tufty]

I think so too - although I read in the F&G, I don't often post in there simply because I don't know everyone well enough to poke fun at them and don't want to upset anyone - I do, however, get a great giggle reading in there

LOL, Yes...I sat and looked at the posts on there for a week before I dared to reply - and much for thame reason. I do think that there is something for everybody here and some wonderful people to get to know.

But, it's getting a little off the main topic of the thread abou the number of posts...

[TomOfSweden]

How about this then. If the point of the postcount is to gauge some kind of dedication to the forum. Why not skip post count and only count "thanks".

What better measurement of a members value than its helpfulness to others?

[gagged_Louise]

Ok, I think that I have a legit question here. Up until this thread I personally never noticed how many posts I or anyone else on this board had, because how many posts anyone has really doesn't mean anything to me. *shrugs*

My question is: what is the reasoning behind the post count in the first place? I belong to several other boards and they have post counts (in fact, at one of my other boards someone just today brought up the top ten posters on the board. Whippee?). But what is the point of post counts? I'm sure there has to be a reasoning behind it. As far as I know, the other boards I belong to don't offer awards to the people with the most posts.

I know this all sounds convuluted, but until delia started this thread I never realized that posting numbers were all that important and meant anything. I mean, I can understand a total post count of everyone altogether would be important, because then that would show the moderators how active the site was in general. And if they had post counts of each section on the board they could see which were the most popular and that would help them decide if they should get rid of certain sections or combine them with others, etc. But why the individual post counts of the forum members? Why are those posted? And it's not just this site I'm asking about; all the forums I am active on do this and I was just wondering why this was so. I'm sure there is a reason behind it.

I guess a valid reason for showing post count, time you joined and that kind is to give a quick, rough idea of how active a certain member is, how much they are around. Some people here, like myself, Jeanne, Tom, Pertez or Warbaby (just a few) are around more or less any day, while others may take weeks and months between logging in. If you're new to the place, or to a certain forum here, and you see a post or some meber who interests you, then it's really annoying if you reply or send a pm and nothing at all happens for weeks because that member has in fact made only te posts and doesn't come around for months. This is a crude mesure, but it's still useful.

I personally could care less if I have 8.000 or 30.000 posts, and actually it took me six months here to get to 1.000. When the posting rate started to pick up for real, the reason was not some wish to get to 10K but first off, that I made several new friends here who were so much fun to be with. Angel and myself - others too - share an interest in intricate word games, and when she began spending time at F&G and invented games like Alphabet Story it hit a raw nerve with me - anyone who thinks word games are bland and undemanding, or are not about bdsm practices, should take a look at that thread!

So Angel definitely helped lift the post count for me and others (and us lifting hers) but it was out of a sense of fun, not a wish to reach 10.000. I don't recall seeing it as a race to 10.000 even when I was three-fourths of the way - we do have offline lives too, and in any case, the post count was never that important a part of why I spent time here.



How about this then. If the point of the postcount is to gauge some kind of dedication to the forum. Why not skip post count and only count "thanks".

What better measurement of a members value than its helpfulness to others?


Because ultimately two friends can agree to post thanks for everything they do, every post, even for posting in some number game. It doesn't sopnd very useful. I can think of a few times when people seem to have been up for hours poasting against each other in some numbers game too, and okay that's got nothing to do with bdsm and lifts their post count, but I thin the long run that gets eased out, while a 2000 thanks roll is a bit harder to reach up to and may not really reflect the dedication behind. But let's not get into a fight about who is th best member here.

[icey]

not sure if that would work Tom , what happens if some people dislike each other,?
not everyone does use the thankyou option if you look aound it tends to be the same people mostly who want to thank posts and if they've a dislike for someone then helpful post or not it's unlikely they'll thank them (sounds petty but thats human nature)

personally i dont see the need for them and the post count more often than not is simply another hack that everyone installs it doesnt have to be there or switched on, but its one of those things that because most sites have it its an automatic feature provided just like,avatars, online visibility,user titles,smilies etc

it can help to be used for gauging when there's private forums that need a certain amount of posts before you can join, although (with vbulletin anyway) it automatically shows in admin regardless of whether its active on the boards or not.

but when it comes right down to it all it is really is a few numbers under the avvy in the info box.

[thrall]

aahhh.....

But i think the question is...........should there be........awards for posting......

My understanding of the "forum god" flag was to recognize Warbaby because he had reached 10,000 posts. Not something anyone else on the forum had ever gotten close too, and as you all know.......not easy.

It was a "Thank you for participating"


Participating...........period. No stipulation on what or where he posted.


And thanks to active members who enjoy wit and words.......the games section proved to be fun and stimulating.....post count was beside the point.


HHHmmm let me think.....the game "This or That"....flogger or whip?..... OTK or over a table?.....knife play or wax play? chains or leather?...sounds BDSM to me....


Im sorry but the feel i get form questions like this ......in my opinion....is down right jealousy....it feels as if the "have not's" are angry/jealious because they post...but not often ...and feel that they are not recognized for their participation...


In my opinion.......it is very like whining........." but i dont have one!"...."why does he/she get to have one!"..........which is where the whole......"quantity vs. quality" issue comes into play....

[lily27]

I can't speak for everyone, but I know that my comments certainly don't come from jealousy but from a love of this site. My observation was that as soon as the hall of fame was started (awarding members with 1000 posts) the content of the entire site took a drastic downturn in favour of any thread that could be given a quick and easy reply.

I am all for anything that increases BDSM knowledge and experience based discussion. It is not about decreasing non-BDSM topics. But it seems to me (and I have shared this opinion to several people long long before this thread was started) that various awards drastically reduced the level of participation in the BDSM specific threads.

I would be interested to hear from anyone else who was around in the pre-awards days to see if they had any of the same observations.

[thrall]

Delia's initial post isnt about........content......it is about post count......and awards for said post count.....

Clearly the site has something for everyone......and i love this site.

As far as i see it there are only 16 members out of 32,627 who have gone past the 10,000 mark. The field narrows a bit when you think that the posting of "Real BDSM" comments has suffered.........because of 16 people......

Several of those 16 people dont post or visit the site often anymore......and as far as i can see.....its the same people who love the games who.......still play the games. So its not as if they made the 10,000 posts to get the award and stop. That would be post hunting. Nor do i see mass hysteria in the games to accumulate posts.....to garner a stupid award.

So........there must be some other reason for drop off of posting in BDSM threads. Mass exodus?? Brain drain???.....i remember those events happening. How active would the forum be if the top posters left?

So......back to the Delia's original question....do you recognize participation???

[thrall]

Members of the One Thousand Post Club

Founding Members (2006)

Aesop
Asia
BDSM_Tourguide
DungeonMaster6
frankee
hawk_fann
maddie
Mobius
MsUther
Ozme52
Rabbit1
Silke
slavelucy
StillBehindBlueEyes
Super Bitch
timberwolf
Tojo
Warbaby1943


September 2006

aussiegirl1
cariad
curious_1
delia
dzire2pleeze
Ruby
SheepishJaina
suchaminx

October 2006

cookiecat
lizeskimo
master 327-834-200
RickBulow74
riverwingsong
slave327-834-200
TheDeSade
waterbaby421
~hellish one~

November 2006

Uncle_Ed
Widget
Wolfscout

December 2006

gagged_Louise
just_annie
lilangel{HM}
moptop



Members of the One Thousand Post Club (2007)

January 2007

Inazuka
lily27
poetic_justice
violet girl

February 2007

**D** aka. Mr.J
IDCrewDawg
mkemse
pixie_dust

March 2007

Rhabbi

April 2007

caligirl{Rob}
ceegee{Benz}
MajesticFae
Mishka
willow
^firefly^

May 2007

angelic_zest
anonymouse
jeanne
nk_lion
thrall

June 2007

crazy_grrluk
MrEmann
MysteriousFun
Pertez
retsam6
Sadistic1
tessa

July 2007

Docha
Dorkalicious
PainSister
TomOfSweden

August 2007

Alex Bragi
Aquaduct
John56
Sir_Russell

September 2007

himind

October 2007

Dragon's muse
ElectricBadger

November 2007

Euryleia
Logic1

December 2007

cadence
Echoes
rce

Within September 2007 - December 2007

blythespirit
Voodoo_Child

Members of the One Thousand Post Club (2008)

January 2008

(None)

February 2008

blossom

March 2008

~minx~
Leigh

April 2008

mandy77
Sir_G

May 2008





I just looked this up.....not a bad list of members.........

Thank you all for participating!!!

[butterflySlave4u]

....and is that when the HOF awards started, Thrall? 2006?

*asking as one who wasn't around here then*

[lily27]

thrall, you are trying to turn this into something personal, when it isn't. I have never said anything about anyone specific, never implied anything, and wasn't even THINKING it. I have never said (or implied, or thought) that quality and quantity are mutually exclusive concepts. I don't have anything against anyone in the hall of fame or who have received any kind of awards (heck, I am ON the list myself, if you noticed).

I don't know how I can possibly rephrase what I have been trying to say one more time, so I will just quote myself.


I remember the days before the hall of fame, and I have to say that there seemed to be a pretty drastic and immediate fall off of long and insightful posting in favour of quick one word replies in the fun and games forum. It seemed like very few people could be bothered to spend 20 minutes writing out a reply when they could instead increase their post count by 50 during that time. It has gotten better as of late, but I actually wandered off for several months at one point just because there was very little activity relating to BDSM anymore.


Before the Hall of Fame people would strive for their first 150 posts in order to get into the Cellar. But then the "bar" was raised to 1000 and the quantity vs. quality balance seriously shifted. People would come into the chat room desperately looking for someone to go play F&G with them so they could win their awards. I am personally aware of members who stayed up all night for the SOLE REASON of winning their award.


I am all for anything that increases BDSM knowledge and experience based discussion. It is not about decreasing non-BDSM topics.

I don't know how to make it any more simple than the last line I put in bold. I am sharing my own personal experiences and observations. I am done trying to make the same point six different ways from Sunday, so I am done here unless I have something new to add to the conversation.

[thrall]

So, this weekend, someone said to me in chat: "How can you be the chat admin if you only have like 2000 posts in the forums?" And then the "Oh no, my post counter stopped working!" thread was posted... And it got me thinking... how do we define contribution on this site, and how SHOULD we define contribution?

There are those people on the forums who come here and spend most of their time in the Politics/Religion/etc. and F&G threads. There isn't anything wrong with this, but on the other hand, does running up posts in F&G, where you get a post for uttering 1 word, mean you are a bigger contributor then say, someone who has far less posts, but contributes lengthier posts into the BDSM-related threads (BDSM Gen Talk, My BDSM Life, D/Sw/s area, etc)?

Don't get me wrong--there is a little something for everyone on this site--writers, newbies, o/l, r/l, non-BDSM, and whatever makes your boat rock, you should do it. But when did the post count start being something we should reward? Like "oh hey Bob, great job there on spending 10 hr in F&G posting back and forth one word answers. You posted so much these past few weeks we're going to give you a reward for how much you posted." Versus, say "oh hey Sally, your posts recently in My BDSM Life have been very insightful & helpful as resources for newbies, but because they are quality and not quantity, you don't get rewarded with a Hall of Fame badge." Anyone else see anything wrong with this? We're a BDSM site. Why do we reward F&G posts? Let people go crazy in F&G, have a lollapalooza--but WHY do we reward that more then we award substantive, BDSM posts?? Anyone else here see the irony?

I am not angry or bitter, or whatever other feelings people want to attach to it... I just think that it's something to think about with respect to what we "reward" in our little society here. Do I suggest more awards? God no, we already have a ridiculous amount of them as is, and to be honest, I can't stand the thought of more little icons in sig blocks (sorry, that's my personal opinion there). But people, when did satisfaction for helping someone out, for lending a newbie a hand, for posting resourceful lifestyle information, for having thoughful discussions, get trumped by this ridiculousness of running up post counts?

For those who have 5000-10000-15000-20000-30000+ posts and want to jump down my throat by saying "hey I contribute a lot here, damn it, you are trying to say I don't"--that isn't what I mean AT ALL. I am talking about the vast group of folks who NEVER post in F&G, don't have enormous post counts, but get overlooked because we reward strictly on points. Again, if you want to post like a mad, crazy person in F&G, go for it! Nothing stopping you, and if that's how you get your kicks, GREAT!!! I have noooo problem with that!!! But shouldn't we also be rewarding substance & quality over quantity?

Just something for people to chew on & think a little about...



Respectfully as always,

delia

Nope, sorry,... Im not taking this personally at all Lili...not at all...just trying to bring it back to topic.....



I also said..........lower the bar to recognize everyone for posting.....



*wink*....and yes i know you are on the list lily......as i said....not a bad showing of members....


Just something for people to chew on & think a little about...

[annie]

In response to the posting of the entire hall of fame list here I could (notice COULD but didn't) post the entire 5 pages of new posts that appeared when I clicked the "New Post" link earlier and how it took until the bottom of page 4 to have something other then a fun & game or Intro post show up. But, I don't see how that would "contribute" to the overall value of this thread even though I was "participating." (Which btw, the two words are synonyms for each anyhow according to my Thesaurus.)

Bottomline, delia asked a question on opinion and nothing more. What I value isn't what the next person will value. Period.

[thrall]

....and is that when the HOF awards started, Thrall? 2006?

*asking as one who wasn't around here then*

2006..2007..to current day

[gagged_Louise]

Actually (shocking truth!) I don't think anyone here is past 10.000 posts if we exclude the Games board. Not me*, not the current top poster, nor anyone else. But many of us still have thousands of posts all over the place, outside F&G, and the level of commitment this speaks of is much more important than any sheer number. One thing that's quite clear here: you can't build any high post count at the Games board if you don't actually make people post with you - because posting replies directly to your own stuff is just not tolerated. So one actually has to join the dance a bit.

Well, lily is quite right that we should be able to discuss what to do if we want this to develop to a more bdsm-y style - without being "only strong hardcore bdsm" because that's not what many of us want, I think - I hope the pervy poulation here can get to talk about that without people feeling stung in their egos or whatever.

*I have verified this for myself by some simple thread stats, but it's no big deal: there are thousands of posts outside of that board from me anyway - and nobody should deny that there's lots of creativity on the Games board too.

[Widget]

This thread needs to cool off a lot. The original question was not about who was better because of a post count or getting rid of fun and games. There is no reason for anyone to feel upset about where they choose to post or how high a post count they have or don't have. If it makes someone feel good to have a award for posts what harm does it do. If part of the discussion is how to get more BDSM topics posted and actively read or content that contributes to the theme of this site we can debate and suggest ideas here without it becoming personal. Please all take a breather if you are not able to step away and post objectively to this thread.

[Radiance]

I dont care how many people gets awards here either, I come for a little chat and a smile,as for as the comments etc go, I feel the ones with 5.000 .10,000 plus have more times on there hands then i do ,Radi

[cookiecat]

Well... as a "founding" member of the 1000 post club... (that was a surprise to see!)

I remember back in the day when lily and delia spent some time in the F&G sections. It was a different time but it was fun.

I also remember a time when Radiance must've had a little more time on her hands because I saw her in the chat room often.

Things ebb and flow - our personal lives, this site...

I came here in 2006 looking for D/s information. I found it. But - as a few others have said - I found a lot more - mostly through the F&G threads.

2 years ago, I didn't have much to contribute as a "newbie." So I don't think I would've met the people I did - very important people in my D/s education! - if it hadn't been for the flirting & posting in the F&G threads.

I think Fun & Games has its place for those who wish to play.

And for those who wish to debate, discuss, question - this is also the place to be.

*group hug* :rolleyes:

[Isabelle90]

While I don't contribute much to the fun and games or the welcomes, I actually see value in them. As some have mentioned, the fun and games acts as a kind of chat and get-to-know-you place. Many of the friends I have made from this site were those that had interacted with me in either of those threads and I'm extremely grateful.

Personally, I pay little attention to post counts. If you want to know the meat and bones of a person, just look up their posts and profile, or better yet, send them a PM!! There are several members I feel I "know" based only on what they've posted! All of the personal interaction and connections contribute to this site in whatever mode works best for the individual members, in my opinion. A person can glean plenty about someone by reading posts they've made in any thread. Tone is not hard to recognize either. All of which, for me, appears to be contributing to the site.

With so many negative connotations regarding BDSM, the lighter side of this forum helps to soften that image! (Again, only my opinions. Just my initial impressions upon joining the site a few months ago.)

[Warbaby1943]

Just my opinion but I believe thrall contributed very much to the site in April. It may not be just my opinion since I see she won 3 categories where competition was encouraged. Good for you thrall.

[Edm_Trainer]

Things ebb and flow - our personal lives, this site...

And for those who wish to debate, discuss, question - this is also the place to be.

I think these two sentiments say it well, and say it all-inclusively.

Much like life, people contribute in their own way, on their own time, and with whatever piece of soul they choose to share with us all. There is no real good or bad - just what we have chosen to reveal...

And isn't that really what it is all about, on this spinning mass of rock 'n water?