Add a post count to user names / accounts....?

If it is implemented, I like the idea of having fairly wide bands (less than 50, 50-500 etc) so that a really long term poster (say 6000+ posts could be more discreet if they name changed for a problem and it was just listed as 1000+ rather than 6158 or something more identifying.

Also, it would stop spammy "biscuit" type posts to gain post counts trying to get on the "top ten" or anything if it was capped at 1000+ being the biggest band.

I wasn't suggesting that the bronze, silver and gold thing is a good idea. It's perfectly obvious who the 'royalty' is on that forum. I don't think I've made it past 'bronze status' anyway!

Maybe a 'joined date' of, say, just the month and year?

I'm not keen. I like MN the way it is.

I've been on boards that had those (the new poster avatar) and they seemed to work well, I agree. Maybe that would be a good starting point?

No, please. The thing about MN is it is different from other sites, with no. of posts, dates joined, tickers, hide functions, edit functions, etc.

It's true. I think newcomers tend to be a bit intimidated anyway, though.

I do like the idea of a shiny newbie avatar that goes away x weeks after registration irrespective of posting history. That would at least mean trolls have to plan ahead a bit and would actually help infrequent posters.

But would it also deter newcomers, Maggie - or perhaps over-influence those who were faced with posts from people who were ostensibly more experienced?

I don't know for sure - but I think people need to be fairly clear about the possible positive or negative side-effects before introducing fairly significant changes.

It would deter a LOT of trolls, to be fair. Especially the school holiday crowd and the late night bishop-bashers.

Would*

And it could have to work on the app and mobile site too.

I think it is important that it doesn't link user names.

Because if you have ever had one which you think might have made you identifiable, you really don't want someone to then identify all your other posts (because of same joining date or same number of posts).

And of course it does nothing to deter trolls, as there's enough evidence of long-termers becoming trolls.

And if you want to look at a user name history, there's advanced search already.

I've been a member for several years but don't post all that much.

On other boards I've seen post counts used as some sort of badge of honour, which I wouldn't like to see here - divisive and fosters 'Royalty' attitudes.

Length of time since joining better, imo.

I am behind this idea in theory. I like the idea of a colour band or similar, though I think bronze silver and gold has potential to cause trouble (mumsnet Goldies anyone?)

Would deleted posts still form part of your total?

Much better to disallow name changes. Period.

Awful idea. People frequently use NC to get help with sensitive issues.

Is this the site you were thinking of RedRug ?

I think it's an interesting idea. Could go further and count posts on topic. So if poster A is a regular on say, gardening, their posts might carry more weight?

Sorry - for 'post count' read eg 'Community Status' however that is to be defined eg in terms of posts or length of membership - or both.

I think something like this would be a good idea. I like the idea of it being a post count but in categories eg. Under 500 and so on.

If a group of posters all have thousands of posts, won't that just make people think 'royalty' is piling in?

I understand that the Powers That Be are very anti-regular posters now.

Much better to disallow name changes. Period.

So what it's boiling down to is how the post count would influence people reading the posts rather than the content of the posts themselves?

I think MSE (for eg) has both - a shiny newbie avatar that goes away x amount of time after registration plus a mechanism for indicating posting enthusiasm. So even if you don't post much, your non-newbie status is clear after a while.

I've been a member for a number of years now but don't post regularly although I read posts every day.
I would hate to think that l might be named as a troll just because my thread count hasn't reached whatever magical number someone thinks is acceptable.

It could be down to 'date ranges', Thomas - a sort of 'Under 1 Year', 1-3 years' etc etc.

There is that, treacle.

On balance, probably a good idea.

BUT if it's done, it would probably be wise to implement it as 'bands' of post numbers (0-100, 100-500, 500-1000, 1000-1500 etc) - or similar colour coded bands - otherwise, if actual no. of posts is shown, it would be too easy to track people despite NCs. There seems to be a broad consensus that NCs are legitimate and part of MN so they shouldn't be jeopardised.