# Does the amount of posts you make, make a better poster?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [February 10, 2000, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453 "2000-02-10T05:10:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Abner\_Normal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a87d85/32.png) [@Abner\_Normal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abner_Normal)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/1 "2000-02-10T05:10:00Z")

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Not sure this belongs here, but I am sure there are two sides to the story here. Dave or Gaudere please feel free to move or close if its been discussed recently.

Is the amount or the quality? You see people bragging as to how many posts they have made. Is that the benchmark against which people are judged? Or is it quality of the posts? Perhaps humor? Knowledge? Use of UBB or html? Methinks most here see numbers.

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**Author:** ![Cooper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@Cooper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cooper)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/2 "2000-02-10T05:11:00Z")

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I’ve never seen anyone brag about the number of posts they make. It would be pretty silly if they did, though. Maybe the MPSIMS crowd is into that 🙂

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**Author:** ![RTA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@RTA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTA)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/3 "2000-02-10T05:15:00Z")

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Maybe.  
I just plod along, quality over quantity. Maybe someday I’ll reach 1000 posts; but it’ll take a good while (maybe by Thanksgiving), and I sure won’t be advertisin’ it when it happens.

* * *

I’m a loner, Dottie … a rebel.

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**Author:** ![Abner\_Normal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a87d85/32.png) [@Abner\_Normal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abner_Normal)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/4 "2000-02-10T05:17:00Z")

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Cooper…

Wait a minute here. I was under the impression this was all one happy group. There are devisions in the whole? You never post anywhere but the debates?

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**Author:** ![Nu\_Vo\_Da\_Da](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/97f17d/32.png) [@Nu\_Vo\_Da\_Da](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nu_Vo_Da_Da)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/5 "2000-02-10T05:24:00Z")

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I don’t really think that the number is a direct indicator of quality-but any excuse for a party is a good one!.(hm, a thought occurs, this is (i believe) post #100 for me!)(yay!)  
doesn’t mean that i’m any better of a poster though…

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**Author:** ![NightGirl44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e68b1a/32.png) [@NightGirl44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NightGirl44)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/6 "2000-02-10T06:54:00Z")

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I wouldn’t say so, but then again, people like myself probably post a lot for several reasons. 1: They’re bored after work. 2: The SDMB actually has a few areas that not only are worth posting to but make sense. 3: They’re probably a little drunk. 4: They might be opinionated, again like me.

There are some here who seem to like to spend much of their time trying to piss others off and those who obviously have absolutely no life at all beyond the screen along with some who have got to be obsessive compulsive and a few who seem to want genuine answers to interesting questions.

As for me, I don’t give a shit about how many posts I have on the board. Until they started including the number automatically, I never kept track.

* * *

‘I like me but I sure as shit aint so positive about you.’

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**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/7 "2000-02-10T09:24:00Z")

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People who have posted many times, over a long period have some advantages. Familiarity, and a reputation for the quality of both their presentation, and their ideas. (Opinions too, although your opinions might not get more acceptable just because you have expressed them often. Ask Libertarian about that one.) If you have often been thoughtful, and well reasoned, and can usually supply reference sources for your outlandish claims, when asked, folks will tend to ask you for sources less. (No one likes being trumped, unnecessarily.)

Most people have a favorite sub-division of the board. For some, Great Debates could just as easily be called “Shouting matches for pretentious pedants.” There are those who find MPSIMS an exceedingly mindless collection of highly personalized drivel. Some find the BBQ Pit a self indulgent tantrum parlor, devoid of importance. However, for those who enjoy each of those areas, there are charms unavailable in the others. Meeting friends and sharing the mundane joys and sorrows of life is what some people like. Others like spirited argument, or answering tough questions, or heartfelt invective. SDMB has it all.

And for all this, basically all you have to do is not be a jerk. It’s not much to ask, really. One thing you should know, being on the board for a long time won’t change the fact that some people think you are a total twit, although it might change which people think it.

## \<P ALIGN=“CENTER”\> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; **Tris** \</P\>

When we ask advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice.  
– \*\*Joseph-Louis LaGrange \*\*

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/8 "2000-02-10T10:32:00Z")

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NightGirl44 said :

> [@](#):
>
> There are some here who seem to like to spend much of their time trying to piss others off and those who obviously have absolutely no life at all beyond the screen

puffington : (starts to say something, then pauses) Nah, too easy.

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**Author:** ![bj0rn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@bj0rn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bj0rn)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/9 "2000-02-10T15:16:00Z")

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its simply just the number of hours you have nothing better to do 😉

bj0rn - not trying to make a point, just pointing out the obvious

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**Author:** ![Navigator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4af34b/32.png) [@Navigator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Navigator)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/10 "2000-02-10T15:38:00Z")

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Yes!  
[/increase post count]

* * *

† Jon †  
Phillipians 4:13

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**Author:** ![Spiritus\_Mundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c68b51/32.png) [@Spiritus\_Mundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiritus_Mundi)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/11 "2000-02-10T16:18:00Z")

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Obviusly it does.

Practice makes, perfect, as they say. Posting is a skill, not an inate ability. It must be exercised for proficiency to be attained. Through numerous posts, however trivial they may seem to the untrained eye,the true board master hones and refines his skills. Eventually, they reach a height of wit, perspicacity and insight that the rest of can only admire in mute awe. This goes far beyond the understanding of UBB code and the avoidance of tpyos.

Witness the PIT. Any idiot can vent profanity, but the board masters can inflict a flame that precisely roasts its target, crisping the outer skin while sealing the succulent chagrin deep pin the pink interior. Such flaming is as much art as science. It cannot be calculated, generated or cut-and-pasted. It can only be lived. There is no substitute for experience. This phenomenon is not limited to the PIT, however. The excellence of post count can be witnessed on all forums. In fact, its highest expression might be found in the sublime mastery of smilies on MSPISMS.

Just as the finest writers are those withthe most books and the finest musicians are those who play the most notes, we can categorically assert that the finest posters are those who have practiced and perfected their art. I, myself, never bother to read th eamateurish efforts of those whose post count can be expressed in 3 digits or less.

* * *

- 

The best lack all conviction  
The worst are full of passionate intensity.  
\*

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**Author:** ![Navigator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4af34b/32.png) [@Navigator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Navigator)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/12 "2000-02-10T17:00:00Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> This goes far beyond the understanding of UBB code and the avoidance of tpyos.

Does anyone else appreciate the beauty and subtlety of that single phrase.

[stands and applauds]

Spiritus, well done!

* * *

† Jon †  
Phillipians 4:13

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**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/13 "2000-02-10T17:19:00Z")

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TRIS – 500!! Way to go! 🙂

* * *

Jodi

_Fiat Justitia_

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**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/14 "2000-02-10T17:48:00Z")

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I think the amount of posts you **READ** is more indicative of how “good” a poster you are.

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**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\
**Post date:** [February 11, 2000, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/15 "2000-02-11T06:27:00Z")

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I think once you hit the 1200 mark you should be considered a Good Poster. 😃

* * *

What would Brian Boitano do / If he was here right now /  
He’d make a plan and he’d follow through / That’s what Brian Boitano would do.

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**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\
**Post date:** [February 11, 2000, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/16 "2000-02-11T06:42:00Z")

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The best posters have the following elements:

1. fast car

2. booze of some kind

3. Bodacious babe in a bikini (topless is better yet

4. Cool Slogan like “Hauling Ass” “He who dies with the most toys wins” or “Fear This”

The girl should be prominent with either boobs or posterior at the forefront. She should have a look of dumb, cowlike desire on her face. It is best if she is laying on the fast car. The alcoholic beverage should register subliminally. The slogan should be at the top in big red or black letters.

The number of posts defineately helps. The average poster is only posted once, then discarded while the best are cherished and posted on thewall again and again as the the owner moves from place to place.

Hope this helps.

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**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\
**Post date:** [February 11, 2000, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/17 "2000-02-11T06:49:00Z")

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Hey, I have a fast car, lots of booze, and I _am_ a bodacious babe in a bikini! All I need is a cool slogan to be on my way to best poster-dom…

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**Author:** ![Delta-9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@Delta-9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delta-9)\
**Post date:** [February 11, 2000, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/18 "2000-02-11T06:51:00Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> Originally posted by Spiritus Mundi:  
> \*\*  
> Just as the finest writers are those with the most books and the finest musicians are those who play the most notes\*\*

I was with you until this point, S. M.

B.B. King can “say” as much with one note as Edward Van Halen does with 100. With music it’s a matter of style & emotion.

* * *

The odds that the bread will fall butter side down are directly proportional to the cost of the carpet.

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**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/19 "2000-02-10T19:00:00Z")

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Delta:

I think Spiritus was being facetious.

I think you’ve just been WOOOSHED.

It happens.

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**Author:** ![Navigator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4af34b/32.png) [@Navigator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Navigator)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-amount-of-posts-you-make-make-a-better-poster/17453/20 "2000-02-10T19:05:00Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> B.B. King can “say” as much with one note as Edward Van Halen does with 100.

I think you got that one backwards.

😃

* * *

† Jon †  
Phillipians 4:13

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