I’m approaching 4000. I come to the boards once per day, usually, and run through all the forums twice. I figure it breaks down to about two hours on the boards per day. It sounds like a long time, but I typically check my email and other sites during that time as well.
According to my profile I average 3.8 posts per day, but I don’t think it’s an accurate picture of my present posting habits. When I started here, I posted everywhere, to anyone, and accumulated a ton of silly posts. Now, I’m pretty quiet. I post to maybe one out of every ten threads I open. My interest has changed from posting everywhere, to simply reading others’ posts and then thinking about the subject at hand. And if there’s a conclusion to come to, I don’t post it. I’m happy keeping it to myself. Obviously, my post count isn’t that important to me, although I do like that it’s there.
How do you get a high post count? It just happens. You post an opinion here, a nitpick there, and it adds up. Most people have areas that they know a lot about, and you can count on them posting when the topic comes up. If it’s a topic that comes up frequently, their post count will reflect that. Some have hot buttons (Mac vs. PC debates, anyone?) that get pushed frequently. Others just like talking about books and movies, and since we have a whole forum dedicated to that, their post counts skyrocket. Flirting with someone helps (at least 100 of my posts have been the result of flirting) as does having an inquisitive mind. Keep that up for two years, and boom! You have 3000 posts to your name.
That said, having a high post count isn’t something you should aim for. My intention in writing that last paragraph was not for it to be a lesson in post count padding. When you post just to hear yourself talk and to add to your post count, it shows. Your posts should add to the discussion in some way.
IMO, those who care too much about their post count are missing the point of the board. We’re here to fight ignorance, to learn, to share, to support-- it’s not a competition for anything. Also, people tend to assume that big post count = respected or knowledgeable. It’s not always true. (I don’t mean to lecture. I just notice you used the phrase “high level”, and I wasn’t sure if you, like a lot of others, assumed that big post count = respected or knowledged. It don’t.)
(plus, she likes Dr Pepper, so she can do whatever she wants in my book)