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What's wrong with Esato? |
dave_uk
Joined: Mar 06, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: London, UK
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I think I have to disagree on post counts, and in fact advocate, possibly, more means of deifferentiating members. Bearing in mind that one of the issues that has been bemoaned (and rightly so) is the dilution/erosion of the mobile content at Esato, I think that post counts are still an important way for new members to distinguish, and new members are the lifeblood of Esato. Avatars also have such a purpose on a forum that was, once upon a time, primarily about the discussion of mobile phone-related issues. Unfortunately, there will always be a few individuals who contribute virtually nothing while amassing a monstrous post count, but that can usually be established from the content of what they post (and where they post it), and the post count is still, therefore, a valid tool.
It is also important for one of the recent and, I believe, somewhat controversial developments of the Esato Market. This has grown enormously over the last year or so, and it appears to be the case that word is spreading and a number of new members are joining solely to trade. In these circumstances, the post count, along with Mik's All-Time Great Thread, are also invaluable tools for fraud prevention. The fact is that the majority of the top posters are amongst the most reliable sources of information and/or goods for trade on Esato, and the tenure and number of posts of members can help to provide a good indication of who to trust. There will always be exceptions to this but that does not, in itself, invalidate the system.
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scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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@dave
Judas! 
Seriously though, I have to respectfully disagree with you. The post count merely serves to indicate, which members are most active, not how trustworthy they are or how knowledgeable they are.
I have long favoured a simple system of having the moderators giving certainmembers titles to indicate their knowledge in a particular area. Perhaps when a member gets a certain numbe rof good reports in Mik's thread themoderators could grant them a specialised avatar or title to indicate their status as a trustworthy seller and/or buyer?
We constantly hear people saying how we are all equal here, if that is so then we should base our opinions of each other on what we actually post, not how many posts we have. I once posted something on another forum and was told by someone who disagreed with me that I knew nothing because I had a low post count! That is exactly the sort of thing I hate to see on Esato.
The post count serves no purpose other than to differentiate members based on how active they are. It doesn't even do that well because not all forums are included. Why? Because so much tosh is posted that to include those forums would mean that those with the highest post counts were the members who post the most rubbish! Instead of having a simple system to measure activity it has had to be modifiec due to such behaviour. Not only that, but the 500 post limit effectively cuts off any sort of recognition of truely high posters as being more active.
Useless! Redundant! Ineffective! Scrap it!
_________________
"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC
[ This Message was edited by: scotsboyuk on 2005-05-24 15:32 ] |
GOwin
Joined: Jan 17, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: .uʍop ǝpısdn s&
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Let's see, let me try my hand on this.
What's wrong with Esato?
We can only say that something is wrong, if we have defined a standard by which it will be judged against - something "right."
And as far as I know, we have no such thing for Esato.
We all have our own ideas of how we like Esato to be but then, that's our opinion, and we are entitled to those.
Esato, as a community defines Esato. And for something that continues to grow daily, it really is difficult to define Esato in concrete terms.
Do any of you remember about the story of the Elephant and the blind men?
It's all a matter of perception. Each member perceives Esato differently.
I have met people who never knew that Esato had a discussion board - they're quite happy with the downloadable goodies.
Or people who just stay in the regional forums.
Or people who just like to discuss about anything various topics with like-minded people.
Or people who'd like to get to the top posters list in esato.
And the list will go on.
Some people stay a while, some go as soon as they got whatever they want.
Some people leave, and never to return.
And some will drop by from time to time.
Esato doesn't mean the same for everyone.
Esato can neither be right or wrong. It's just is.
[ This Message was edited by: GOwin on 2005-05-24 15:17 ] |
vanquish
Joined: Mar 20, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Wor Newcastle Phone: V600i
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It's not Esato it's the members.
Cutting through the crap is a fantastic way of keeping a forum alive!
[addsig] |
dave_uk
Joined: Mar 06, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: London, UK
PM |
@scotsboy
I would actually agree with something a bit more sophisticated in it's place, I must admit. My argument is that, unless there is something better to replace it, I would prefer it to stay on the basis that some indication is better than none, even if it has it's flaws, but I would be all in favour of the sort of system you suggest, although I sincerely doubt it will materialise.
@gowin
Why'd you have to spoil our whingeing session with...logic?!
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scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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@GOwin
Philosophical arguments are one thing, practicalities are another.
Just look at how many people are unhappy with Esato as she stands today. This isn't an attack on Esato, it is simple fact. Newer members bring their own styles and views and that is what has always happened, it is how Esato remains fresh and interesting and long may it continue!
However, the members who are already here deserve to be able to keep their views, styles and traditions. We have the right to keep our forum the way we like it whilst accomodating new members and ideas. To me that balance has gone, old and new should exist in harmony with one another.
What strikes me is that there is little appetite for, what in my view are, badly needed changes. Perhaps the powers that be need to sit up and take notice that all is not well in Esatoland and that many of the members want change and a less tosh filled and cynical forum. Why should we have to ignore tosh filled threads with bugger all to do with anything? Why should we have to turn a blind eye to it? Too long have we sat back and let too many good people leave because nothing was done! Too long have we simply ignored the problem and given platitudes that everyhting is fine. Perhaps it is time for change?
_________________
"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC
[ This Message was edited by: scotsboyuk on 2005-05-24 15:31 ] |
whizkidd
Joined: May 14, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: India
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Scrap the post count and bring in a new system where members are classified according to their field of "expertise". Trusted sellers get a "trusted seller" sign or a special avatar under their nick...and so on...
T230 >> T610 >> Ngage QD >> N73 >> N85 >> Omnia HD >> And countless other review units |
ewap8
Joined: Nov 30, 2001
Posts: 398
From: Dubai
PM |
I'm afraid I'll have to agree. I have been a member for ages (4 yrs?) but I have a very low post count. It is primarily because I don't post in junk threads. Most of the information needed is already there in the Archives, so you only need to search for it. Creating a new topic or threadjacking is not a good idea here.
Getting rid of the post count would ensure people don't post 'for the sake of it'.
Just my 2 cents...
I'm member #100 on this website. I think! |
sapporobaby
Joined: Sep 14, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Finland. Kuwait maybe :)
PM |
How about setting a lower limit to posts. Something where people have to create a full thought and not have posts that contain "yes", or "wow", or such drivel? This would cut down on many of the one word posts that are floating around out there.
*edited on a Mac of course. Mac: There is no substitute*
N82(YES), iPhone 3G, Shure es530, Nikon D300, more stuff. No more SE stuff, why am I still here? |
whizkidd
Joined: May 14, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: India
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Quote:
| On 2005-05-24 17:47:27, ewap8 wrote: Most of the information needed is already there in the Archives, so you only need to search for it. Creating a new topic or threadjacking is not a good idea here. |
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Agreed. But i'm afraid, we get many newbies on a daily basis who are not too familiar with the search function here and neither have the time to learn using it...and they have no other option but to create a thread whose contents are already discussed earlier. This is a part and parcel of every forum. Things will be repeated.
T230 >> T610 >> Ngage QD >> N73 >> N85 >> Omnia HD >> And countless other review units |
mrao
Joined: Nov 11, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Mumbai, India
PM |
@whizz..i think you havent got it entirely in the right perspective...it is a known and pretty evident fact that noobs may not be aware of the search function...more importantly, of where to look for an answer...but i feel the issue is more about people who have been around long enough to not be classified as noobs, a) creating whimsical threads and
b) posting in genuine ones for the heck of it
 t610 > k700i > p800 > p900 > p910 > k750i > I-mate Jam > Blokia 6681 > HTC Prophet > HTC Wizard & Nokia N73 > E71 > BB 9000 > HTC Desire > Samsung Galaxy S > Samsung Galaxy S II & the Motorola Xoom <br /> Still Shiny but not so n |
scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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There is also the point to be made that the search is next to useless as far as many are concerned. Improving the search would be a step in the right direction.
"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC |
masseur
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Sydney, London
PM |
...and of course this is a point I totally disagree with. It used to be pretty bad until laffen introduced a whole new search facility which has made things so much better than it was and I have yet to fail at finding a thread I am looking for
before we go around in circles I will agree once more that it would be useful to be able to deselct the non mobile forums from the search
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whizkidd
Joined: May 14, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: India
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Mrao, you got me wrong there mate. What i said only applies to newbies. And read my last post again. My first word is that i agree! The only part where i disagree is the newbie part. What use is a forum if the newbie isn't looked after well and his doubts not cleared? I see some sort of intolerant behaviour towards noobs of late. One example is that recent thread by this guy called xtremitz in the regional section. The first reply to his post is "get lost!!"
T230 >> T610 >> Ngage QD >> N73 >> N85 >> Omnia HD >> And countless other review units |
scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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@masseur
That would be a good idea. I also rather wonder about the possibility of integrating the search more closely with the forums. For example, could an improved search feature be included at the top of threads? This might prompt members to use the feature more.
Incidenatlly masseur, and with respect, not everyone finds the search to be as good at turning up results as you do (pardon my awful pun ).
"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC |
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Posted: 2005-05-24 15:43
t610 > k700i > p800 > p900 > p910 > k750i > I-mate Jam > Blokia 6681 > HTC Prophet > HTC Wizard & Nokia N73 > E71 > BB 9000 > HTC Desire > Samsung Galaxy S > Samsung Galaxy S II & the Motorola Xoom 
