Post count redux, ...and other post displayed-related things Options

[*mipadi*]

So I've been looking over the post-display style of cB and comparing it to other forums and discussion-thread-type sites I frequent, and I think it could use an "upgrade". Admittedly, I am a bit of minimalist when it comes to design, but I'm inclined to think that the post display style of cB is a bit busy, and could stand to be cleaned up a little.

First of all, post count. I think we should get rid of post count, or at least the display of post counts. People are too obsessed with their post counts, which don't even reveal much about a user, except for how much crap they post. So let's just get rid of it.

Secondly, extra user info like custom rank, group, joined date, location, member no., and status. Shove that stuff to the user info page display, or iconify some of it.

Basically, on posts, just display an avatar, username, and post date and time. Save the extra info for the user page, or get rid of it entirely. If status is deemed to be important, iconify it along with the post. Iconify "rankings" like moderator and admin, too. Give them a little badge next to their name.

[GREASEbaby]

I personally like looking at a person's post count. Because sometimes it can explain behavior, respect, or whether I should respect them.

However, it wouldn't be a bad thing to see them go away. The spam is probably a certain to go away. But would the PPD remain? Because without the post count, can the PPD calculate itself? I believe that PPD is something very important for official members and designers and staff.

I kind of like the badge idea myself, but isn't that a little too vague? Like the same navy blue badge for the whole staff team? I think we should give them different colors - like Gold for admin, Silver for head, and so on. Or different styles, perhaps?

I agree with Rebecca - From and Member No isn't something that most people use on a daily basis.

I don't know about status though.

Hmm, Michael - with your new design for cb4, member titles would have to go too - a lot of people enjoy reading those.

[*mipadi*]

I'm not opposed to removing the post count, I can just understand why some might enjoy seeing them on the posts is all. :)

I can understand that, too, but ultimately, I have a better idea than mere post count. This is beyond the capabilities of the forum software, unfortunately, but I think it would be more interesting to have a "user rating" of sorts. Something that calculates post count, threads started, joined date together, maybe with a weighting for the more important elements. Maybe even include something whereby other users could rate you.

I personally would just like to see post count and everything go entirely, since it's a very superficial way of calculating a user's importance, relevance, and contributions, but I can see why people cling to it. I don't like it, but I can see why.

I personally like looking at a person's post count. Because sometimes it can explain behavior, respect, or whether I should respect them.

Out of curiosity, why does a person's post count demand a certain level of respect, or demonstrate a certain level of respect?

However, it wouldn't be a bad thing to see them go away. The spam is probably a certain to go away. But would the PPD remain? Because without the post count, can the PPD calculate itself? I believe that PPD is something very important for official members and designers and staff.

I think we could do without the PPD, too. PPD requirements for certain "positions" are historically rather arbitrary, and even people who don't make the PPD can be promoted to certain positions, further emphasizing its lack of importance in gauging user "worth".

I kind of like the badge idea myself, but isn't that a little too vague? Like the same navy blue badge for the whole staff team? I think we should give them different colors - like Gold for admin, Silver for head, and so on. Or different styles, perhaps?

I'd recommend a different badge for the different "types" of mods: design staff, people staff, head staff, and admin staff. Color-coded or symbolized some other way, I don't know. Haven't worked out a mockup yet, but it's in the works.

Hmm, Michael - with your new design for cb4, member titles would have to go too - a lot of people enjoy reading those.

Mm, maybe they can be incorporated. I don't see them as that useful at any rate. Just another way of personalizing oneself--but we already have avatars and sigs to do that, anyway.