To Post or To Count, That is The Question [Poll]

Anthony N · Jun 17, 2013

So here you guys go, a poll to think about this morning. I've been to many forums, even ran a few myself.... ok more than a few. But I'm not counting.

Today's poll is about post quality or quantity. At many forums I've been to the etiquette was to post long thought-out posts or be punished for few word posts, either by removing your post count or flat out deleting the post weather it contributed or not.

For me, I say few words speak many. Yes, I'm a small talk supporter.

Or you get places, like this one, where a post is a post and it doesn't matter how seasoned you are.

Though some heated, head to head debates can get stirred up; I think we do honestly try to keep them civil weather the parties butting heads would break out a war or not.

So without further wait. Here is your poll, is it better to have long winded thought out posts or "who cares" a post is a post.

niemiro · Jun 17, 2013

I think that any useful post which contributes to the topic, however long that post is, is a good post. But, a post made solely for the purpose of post count is not so good. Whilst we are not a trigger happy forum, someone just posting "I agree" on every news article, or something like that, likely would not be tolerated. It contributes nothing of worth. But someone who puts constructive comments on every news article would be fine.

TBH, I wouldn't get het up about post count. Those who post to a forum purely to be today's top poster are probably here for the wrong reasons. Ask any senior member here and the answer you'll likely get is that they don't care one little bit about post count. They make posts where they feel posts are due, and the count looks after itself.

Anthony N · Jun 17, 2013

I Agree LMAO

Kidding. Just Kidding.

I can write if I really want to. But normally I only get 5 minutes here, so I tend to acknowledge I agree with what is being said, however, I do at times with the time permitting I'll get quite long winded. Get me in a skype call however and watch out, I could talk for hours. This is why I prefer to have phone discussions. Funny thing is now days I rarely have any skype or phone call under an hour. Thank god for unlimited minutes.

Corrine · Jun 17, 2013

I find that with very long posts, it is too easy to lose the reader, especially if the person forgets about paragraph breaks and takes too long to get to the point. Consider "I apologize for the length of this letter, but I didn't have time to make it shorter." attributed to different authors (Mark Twain and others).

As to lengthy phone conversations, there is someone else here (who shall remain nameless) known for long telephone conversation.

Anthony N · Jun 17, 2013

Right, I try to break my posts up. I've learned in my own experience it makes your post look neater and less like a glob of text. I feel it also makes it easier to quote posts if you would like to talk about certain parts of their post.

I find for larger posts I tend to skim them quickly, if something catches my attention then I go back and read much deeper.

GZ · Jun 18, 2013

Corrine said:
I find that with very long posts, it is too easy to lose the reader, especially if the person forgets about paragraph breaks and takes too long to get to the point. Consider "I apologize for the length of this letter, but I didn't have time to make it shorter." attributed to different authors (Mark Twain and others).

As to lengthy phone conversations, there is someone else here (who shall remain nameless) known for long telephone conversation.

I agree, whole heartedly... Unnecessarily long-winded and technobabble filled posts will tend to cause the reader to skip (likely important) areas..

I like to keep my posts "to the point" and spend my windage explaining how to do things... When necessary.

Patrick · Jun 18, 2013

Voted on '

"I have no opinion, it really depends on the topic/content at hand."'

Throughout my life, I've been on multiple forums. There have been forums in which I've had ~5k posts, and there's one in which I almost have ~14k, posts but will probably not reach anytime soon due to being inactive there. If I am on forums now, it's for BSOD analysis. Because of that, the length of my post entirely depends on the situation I am dealing with and what I need to say and tell the user to do. As all BSOD analysts know, and as all newcomers will learn, well put together (not just text... use bold, italics, etc... have different versions for different forums) templates are your best friend next to all of the wonderful online resources people like writhziden, jcgriff, usasma, etc have prepared. If a template is just blank text, it looks awful because it's just a huge TL;DR. However, if you make it look nice, it's not hard on the eyes and very simple to read.

A Guy · Jun 18, 2013

I'm a post *****

I don't post for post count, but I am not shy about responding to anything, lol. A Guy

P.S. I agree

AoN · Jun 18, 2013

This is a bit of a killer. It's not that I don't think getting to more is better, or even that it just depends on the topic, just that it should be somewhere in the middle. Basically, regardless of the topic, it posts shouldn't be long-winded and boring, but there is also no reason not to put quality notes/comments in shorter posts.

I have to say I agree with what most members have posted, thus far. Post count really doesn't matter. I'm a member/staff member of nearly 20 tech-related forums, but I also post as little across all of them as a one-time member looking for a single answer. When I do post, I try to keep it focused on giving someone a quality response, without overloading them with a long one. It's actually become practice for me on several boards to provide the long answers, but at the top of the post is a short, to-the-point, answer. If the reader wants additional information, such as why it is the answer, then they are encouraged to read further.

Just my 99 cents. ^^'

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To Post or To Count, That is The Question [Poll]

Which is better, Long thought out posts or a post is a post?

Long thought-out posts [long winded, quality]

Short to-the-point [high post count, small talk, quanity]]

"I have no opinion, it really depends on the topic/content at hand."

Anthony N

Well-known member

niemiro

Senior Administrator, Windows Update Expert

Anthony N

Well-known member

Corrine

Administrator,
Microsoft MVP,
Security Analyst

Anthony N

Well-known member

GZ

Visiting Expert

Patrick

Sysnative Staff

A Guy

Righteous Dude

AoN

Internet Programmer

To Post or To Count, That is The Question [Poll]

Which is better, Long thought out posts or a post is a post?

Long thought-out posts [long winded, quality]

Short to-the-point [high post count, small talk, quanity]]

"I have no opinion, it really depends on the topic/content at hand."

Well-known member

Senior Administrator, Windows Update Expert

Well-known member

Administrator, Microsoft MVP, Security Analyst

Well-known member

Visiting Expert

Sysnative Staff

Righteous Dude

Internet Programmer

Administrator,
Microsoft MVP,
Security Analyst