A bump because I wanted to ask this very question. If the post count and location are turned off so as to provide a “perk” to paid members, that is not merely pointless, but actively pernicious. Hiding that information for a large percentage of regular posters reduces the functionality of the board for everyone, not merely the “Guests.” I don’t care all that much about my info being posted, but it’s very annoying for me not to have it displayed next to others’ posts.
It helps put posts in context. A certain statement, or stance, or tone can have subtly different implications depending on whether the poster has 800 posts in 4 years or 10,000 posts in 4 years. (Just like you get something out of knowing, in real life, whether a certain point is being made by a 70 year old white man as opposed to a 19 year old Mexican girl.)
And if you don’t buy that for some reason, it’s still interesting in a trivial sort of way. Do you never purposely look at someone’s post count?
Sorry, you directed this at me and I did start the thread but I didn’t get back to you. It is not necessary but sometimes useful. Some subjects around here have a history. Seeing a high post count makes me think that the person is more likely to understand that history. Seeing a low post count might mean that the person may need to be informed of the various conversations that have gone on in the past. Also a certain culture and form of communication has developed here over the years. Someone with a low post count may not have figured it out yet. The post itself is the most important thing but the post count may help to put it in context.