[CantExplain]

I think the statistics displayed with every post are inappropriate. It's not a race, right?

Are we to judge a poster by the number of posts or hugs they have made in the past? I hope not!

[lynn P.]

I don't think they're inappropriate and you're right its not a race. For example if a member plays mostly games they will have significantly more posts. The number doesn't necessarily represent they've been devoting lots of time helping, but in some cases it does. The number doesn't mean they're superior.

I agree with Lynn, I tend to play in the game section a lot, I find it distracts me when I am having a tough day, I don't do it to make my post count go up.You're right though it is not a race and I don't see why it has to be removed either.

I don't think that there's anything wrong with showing the number of posts, hugs given, etc. I am sure that most members of PC are aware that that this isn't a race.

[roads]

I'm glad someone brought this up.

Lately I've discovered Games & at times they really help me relax since I'm not a TV watcher. But I wish I didn't have to have them count toward my "Posts." It's not the same thing at all. Wish I could turn off my Counting Meter when I go in there, then Meter On when I get back to the serious stuff.

I feel guilty being a Poohbah--much less a Grand one!--so soon just because I took up gaming. I'm being to wonder whether (SuperPoster) may not be subtletalk for Get A Life!

[DocJohn]

As I recently replied on another thread, numbers don't mean you have to be competitive... that's not their purpose.

Their purpose is to inform you, as another member/reader of a thread, the kind of member who's replying... Is it a long-time member with thousands of posts (so they have a long-time reputation around here and their advice may reflect that wisdom), or are they someone who just joined yesterday (and therefore we don't quite know where they're coming from yet).

A "SuperPoster" is recognition that some people are prolific posters and a sort of "thank you" for being so (even if sometimes it's in a forum like games). Hugs let you know that you may be dealing with a particularly generous and open member.

These kinds of statistics have been a part of forum software for over a decade, and a part of our community since Day 1. It's unlikely we're going to remove them anytime soon, but I do appreciate both the feedback and the recognition that such numbers can mean different things to different people.

Best,
DocJohn

[roads]

Originally Posted by DocJohn

As I recently replied on another thread, numbers don't mean you have to be competitive... that's not their purpose.
....
Their purpose is to inform you, as another member/reader of a thread, the kind of member who's replying... I do appreciate both the feedback and the recognition that such numbers can mean different things to different people.

I can't tell you how great it is to have you so "hands on" with this & willing to explain so quickly what the thinking is. I'd still like to exclude games from the count, but I follow your logic!

What a difference a DocJohn makes.

Originally Posted by DocJohn

Hugs let you know that you may be dealing with a particularly generous and open member.

I'm sorry, but this bothers me. I've spent so much time here, both getting support and giving it, and it bugs me that if I don't click the hug button, I'm not "generous and open". I'd rather write a post. I don't think that makes me less generous and open, and while I have HUGE respect and gratitude for Doc John and the other administrators (truly), it bothers me that these feel like instructions for locating a certain type of member, and that I won't fall into that category because I choose to write instead of click the hug button.

I promise I'm letting it go...but I just wanted to (respectfully) state my opinion.

[venusss]

I agree with Treehouse. I prefer words. Advice. Insight. Isn't it why this community was founded as place for resources? And while that is provided by the associated blogs, I do believe that there are members here who can provide quite a lot of wisdom too....

The hugs button and rewarding that more than other aspects... it kinda cheapens the site. I am not saying we need to be serious all the time, but the hugs and counting how gave more seems bit infantile to me.

I do enjoy this site... especially for the "safe place to discuss issues of concern" aspect. Not fond of the fluff and it seems it is leaning bit too much in the fluff direction lately.

i don't mind the number of posts being listed - activity here is important to know and encourages us and others to participate. i do have concerns about the descriptions though. the more one posts, the higher ranking description they receive. however, the ranking (e.g., grand member, magnate, wise elder) sometimes do not reflect the quality of the judgment of poster. so, i find them misleading. i do recognize they are fun and that they are earned awards but they are not necessarily the quality indicator that others may interprete them to be.

[venusss]

Originally Posted by unhappyguy

i don't mind the number of posts being listed - activity here is important to know and encourages us and others to participate. i do have concerns about the descriptions though. the more one posts, the higher ranking description they receive. however, the ranking (e.g., grand member, magnate, wise elder) sometimes do not reflect the quality of the judgment of poster. so, i find them misleading. i do recognize they are fun and that they are earned awards but they are not necessarily the quality indicator that others may interprete them to be.

well, after 2000 posts you can chose your own title, which I think is an awesome feature. And tells quite a lot about the poster.

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

well, after 2000 posts you can chose your own title, which I think is an awesome feature. And tells quite a lot about the poster.

Especially for some posters!

(Can you spell 'teasing'?)

[Travelinglady]

I do adore the new "hugs" button, but I, too, am bothered that I am somehow feeling evaluated by how many hugs I give. I like to use the hug icon sometimes. And I am hesitant to hug someone I don't know at all, especially a male--just like IRL.

As far as the number of posts, I find this statistic acceptable. I do know, though, that folks used to play games to up their number!

[pachyderm]

Nyah, nyah, I gave more hugs than you!

This is getting silly, If you don't like the feature then don't use it I have removed some of my hugs as I felt that I was misusing it, I play the games as I find it distracts me and no way do I do it to up my post count.

[venusss]

can we have a "beer" option? Taking somebody for beer is like a hug over here!



J/k.

[Perna]

Originally Posted by DocJohn

Their purpose is to inform you, as another member/reader of a thread, the kind of member who's replying

I do not understand what information the number of "Hugs" provides another? It is an abstract noun with a wholly subjective meaning. I think it is inappropriate to quantify such a noun, as that must intensify one's individual, subjective meanings and the only recourse one has to deal with that intensity if one finds it uncomfortable is to try to ignore the statistic.

Giving/receiving hugs sounds like a great, fun idea for here but the numbers added to "hugs given" is pummeling me! It is not a discrete set like number of posts that can be arranged neatly in front of me like stairs and assume a concrete meaning. The "facts" surrounding numbered hugs has to show I am a greater or lesser hugger, huggable or not and leaves me open to my own or another's subjective meaning.

[Travelinglady]

..........

I guess, in a way, it is a silly issue. I WAS finding myself giving hugs when I wouldn't necessarily have done so.

DocJohn, do you truly believe I'm a possible "less open" person if my hug count is low?

Oh, dear, another issue to bring up with my T?

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

well, after 2000 posts you can chose your own title, which I think is an awesome feature. And tells quite a lot about the poster.

WHAT?!?!?! NO way! Maybe the whole hug fiasco will be worth it, just to get this fabulous tidbit of information.

I'd hug you, but I don't want that counter.

[unaluna]

Try putting yourself in the OP's place? It might be nice to accumulate hugs, not just views, even if no one writes anything? How would you feel about that? I never start threads, so I can't say...

[roads]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

well, after 2000 posts you can chose your own title, which I think is an awesome feature. And tells quite a lot about the poster.

I didn't know that! Whoa!

[Travelinglady]

I think the hug icon could work fine to give such a hug. The hug button just makes it faster. But I don't want anyone to keep up with how many hugs I give, thank you!

Oh, well, life does go on. I'm one of those "superposters" mentioned earlier, so I guess I need to get one.....

I hope I'm not offending people by having a bit of fun. I think the hug button was suggested appropriately. But I obviously also agree that it isn't necessary to count them....

But then that's just me.

[DocJohn]

I'm disappointed that, after closing the last thread, people started the discussion yet again on another thread, even after I made my position clear that the new hug feature was staying for the time being.

Again, I appreciate the feedback, but this issue is not open for additional discussion at this time. I don't know how else I can put it.

Statistics about numbers of thanks (and now hugs) have been readily available one click away from any thread by viewing a member's profile page. Nothing has changed except that one number is now a little more transparent than it might otherwise be.

Last, I would be very clear about what I said and did not say. I did not say this, for instance:

and it bugs me that if I don't click the hug button, I'm not "generous and open".

yet it's being attributed to me. I did say that if a person has a badge on their profile that says they've given a lot of hugs, that may suggest a person is more generous and open. I did not say, nor did I mean to imply, that people with few hugs given (such as myself right now) or who do not use the feature are not generous and open. If I wanted to say, "People who don't give hugs are mean and closed," I would have said that (I'm not one for subtlety).

Thanks again for the words both pro and con on this feature.

DocJohn

PS - Also, for future information -- when a moderator or administrator closes a thread on a topic, that's an indication that the topic should not be restarted or re-opened on another thread.