mogur
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/11
Loc: WI
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Post Count
#5710742 - 03/03/13 02:25 PM
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It is probably natural for a newbie to give more credence to those with higher post counts. Afer all, these guys are the more experienced, knowledgeable posters, right? Not necessarily. Some posters with high counts get them up with single sentence, or sometimes even single word replies! These add very little to the content of the thread and should therefore be taken at face value by those looking for real information! Sometimes a poster with a very low count can have real insight into a problem and newbies should not be too hesitant to heed such based solely on post count. This is based on some experience I've had with a problem I had with my solar scope. See the Solar forum if you're interested. A poster with a very low count had the best suggestion for me to correct my issue. Sometimes a low post count only means a recent member, or a reluctance to post, not a lack of knowledge!
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Mike4242
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/02/11
Loc: Memphis, TN
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Re: Post Count
[Re: mogur]
#5710769 - 03/03/13 02:40 PM
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Very true. Post count and/or register date are pretty meaningless. Although, I would say register date should maybe carry a little more weight than post count. There are some people who have been in the hobby for several years, but haven't been members of this forum for very long. There are also people who are relatively new to the forum and the hobby, but have a large number posts.
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Kfrank
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/20/08
Loc: Northern Colorado
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Re: Post Count
[Re: mogur]
#5710845 - 03/03/13 03:24 PM
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+1
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rathbaster
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/21/08
Loc: East Bridgewater, MA
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Re: Post Count
[Re: Kfrank]
#5710851 - 03/03/13 03:28 PM
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+1
I see what you did there..... 
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sslcm56
member
Reged: 07/20/12
Loc: Montgomery, Al.
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Re: Post Count
[Re: Kfrank]
#5710852 - 03/03/13 03:28 PM
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+1
Does this make my post count go up too??
MAN I'm getting smarter! 
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howard929
Member
Reged: 01/02/11
Loc: Low End of High Ground
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Re: Post Count
[Re: mogur]
#5710870 - 03/03/13 03:39 PM
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Yep. For instance, fully 3/4 of my post count can be attributed to all of the questions I ask. Lots of them were/are so dumb it makes me cringe. The other 1/4 just consisted of "just buy a 8" dob." 
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newtoskies
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/15/12
Loc: SE Ma.
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Re: Post Count
[Re: howard929]
#5710883 - 03/03/13 03:48 PM
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I rarely go by post count. Being an owner/admin of a forum I know all about post counts etc. I prefer to look here at the date of reg., equipment in signature and the persons answers.
It's very easy to get a high post count by meerly being very active on the forum, simple replies as mentioned and most of all, how long you've been on the forum.
There are many members here, as in most forums, who have low post counts but are very knowledgable. Look at me, I'm still a newb and learn more and more each day thanks to ALL the members here.
Keep in mind too that a simple one liner post is all that is needed at times, and no need to repeat what has already been said by others to answer a question.
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cliffy54
sage
Reged: 03/14/10
Loc: ma
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Re: Post Count
[Re: newtoskies]
#5710960 - 03/03/13 04:35 PM
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I see someone goin for the record he's got almost 4000 post in 9 months. He must know everything about everything. 
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Madratter
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/14/13
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Re: Post Count
[Re: cliffy54]
#5710983 - 03/03/13 04:51 PM
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I see someone goin for the record he's got almost 4000 post in 9 months. He must know everything about everything.
He just might. Then again, I'd bet he's bored at work. 
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rdandrea
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/13/10
Loc: Colorado, USA DM59ra
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Re: Post Count
[Re: mogur]
#5711044 - 03/03/13 05:22 PM
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While I don't think post count matters much, I think wordiness matters even less. If a person can make a point in a sentence or two, why hold that against them? That's quite a skill.
In the end, it's only the quality of advice that matters.
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GeneT
Ely Kid
Reged: 11/07/08
Loc: South Texas
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Re: Post Count
[Re: mogur]
#5711136 - 03/03/13 06:08 PM
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Some posters with high counts get them up with single sentence, or sometimes even single word replies! These add very little to the content of the thread and should therefore be taken at face value by those looking for real information!
In my opinion, the quality of a post is not how many words are used, but rather or not the comment adds value to the discussion. In reverse, there are many posts where a lot of words are used and the post contributed little to the discussion. Some posts ask something like, I am considering a C8 or an Orion 8Xii. What's wrong with posting simply 'a C8'? Many posts that speak to me are the short ones--if they hit the nail on the head.
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star drop
Snowed In
Reged: 02/02/08
Loc: Snow Plop, WNY
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Re: Post Count
[Re: rdandrea]
#5711236 - 03/03/13 06:57 PM
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Post count doesn't matter at all. Period. I wish it wasn't there because then my wife wouldn't holler at me when she sees it. For my location the number of clear nights or days has been decreasing since 2007. Some of the nights that start out clear become useless because of contrails. So I get bored and read the forums and post here and there. One day I discovered the Off Topic Observatory and the addictive silly game threads there. Guess what happened?
Some members have slow internet connections and some have a usage cap. I just added my signature line after having it blank for quite some time due to a usage cap. My wife's business comes first and we don't need our speed choked due to frivolities. So the lack of a signature/equipment line doesn't mean anything. Avatars also eat up bandwidth. However one avatar that I did find useful was when Boot(Joseph) had a light pollution poll and my avatar said "Take the Light Pollution Poll". At that time Administrator rboe was kind enough to put a link to the poll in my signature line.
Registation date is helpful but doesn't say anything about how much more time one has been in the hobby or what equipment they have used in the past. I began in 1975 and have used my 25" since early 1989. Prior to that I had an Astroscan(1976-1990), a Coulter Odyssey I (13.1")(1981-1991), and 10x50 binoculars. I also had the original set of Televue Widefield eyepieces(except for the 15mm), a set of Edmund RKEs with Barlow, and the original Naglers 4.8, 9, 13, and type 2 20mm.
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mountain monk
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/06/09
Loc: Grand Teton National Park
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Re: Post Count
[Re: star drop]
#5711267 - 03/03/13 07:14 PM
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Sometimes a short reply is a matter of civility.
Dark skies.
Jack
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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
Reged: 02/28/06
Loc: Petaluma, CA
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Re: Post Count
[Re: Mike4242]
#5711338 - 03/03/13 07:53 PM
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Yup. I'd say that regardless of your post count, if you haven't been in the hobby since long before there was an Internet, you're still a relative newbie.
- Jim
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astro-monkey
member
Reged: 01/28/13
Loc: Nebraska
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Re: Post Count
[Re: jrbarnett]
#5711371 - 03/03/13 08:13 PM
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All very true, on a VW forum I frequent I was one of the top 10 with close to 10k posts. Now I just lurk on all the forums and post once in a while.
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Feidb
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/09
Loc: Nevada
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Re: Post Count
[Re: astro-monkey]
#5711398 - 03/03/13 08:25 PM
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I agree post count is irrelevant. It's what you say that counts, whether short or long. For some, it may be just the feeling of being in on the conversation. For others, it may be attempting to bring their knowledge into the discussion. Of course, the biggie for many is to ask questions and get answers or show and tell. Of course, there are a few that just like to disrupt and they're usually weeded out. Then there are the jokers.
It takes all kinds and if one is worried about post count, they probably need to find some other hobby because they are concentrating on the wrong thing. This forum is about astronomy, not competition. At least I though it was.
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City Kid
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/06/09
Loc: Northern Indiana
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Re: Post Count
[Re: mogur]
#5711598 - 03/03/13 10:05 PM
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Quote:
It is probably natural for a newbie to give more credence to those with higher post counts. Afer all, these guys are the more experienced, knowledgeable posters, right? Not necessarily. Some posters with high counts get them up with single sentence, or sometimes even single word replies! These add very little to the content of the thread and should therefore be taken at face value by those looking for real information! Sometimes a poster with a very low count can have real insight into a problem and newbies should not be too hesitant to heed such based solely on post count. This is based on some experience I've had with a problem I had with my solar scope. See the Solar forum if you're interested. A poster with a very low count had the best suggestion for me to correct my issue. Sometimes a low post count only means a recent member, or a reluctance to post, not a lack of knowledge!
As I was reading this I was nodding my head in agreement with everything you were saying. But then I realized you don't even have 500 posts so I can't listen to you. 
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C_Moon
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/23/09
Loc: Virginia
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Re: Post Count
[Re: City Kid]
#5711638 - 03/03/13 10:23 PM
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The best way is to read the forums a lot and find out for yourselves who is credible and interesting.
One thing you can do is click on someone's user name to the left of their post. You are then taken to their profile where one of the options is to read all that user's posts. I bookmark the all-their-posts page for a number of different members who have good track records of posting interesting, credible information .
Quite often "browsing cloudy nights" for me means checking out these bookmarks to see what my favorite cloudy nights contributors have been posting.
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Paco_Grande
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/14/12
Loc: Napa Whine Country
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Re: Post Count
[Re: C_Moon]
#5711661 - 03/03/13 10:36 PM
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Since I border on being banned here (I love living on the edge), don't bookmark me because you might be nailed as an accomplice.
Post count means nothing. I think join date offers some creds though. However, new join date in classifieds is a caution flag...
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panhard
It's All Good
Reged: 01/20/08
Loc: Markham Ontario Canada
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Re: Post Count
[Re: Paco_Grande]
#5711718 - 03/03/13 11:15 PM
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Since I border on being banned here (I love living on the edge), don't bookmark me because you might be nailed as an accomplice.
Yes you do don't you Phil. 
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Paco_Grande
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/14/12
Loc: Napa Whine Country
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Re: Post Count
[Re: panhard]
#5711724 - 03/03/13 11:20 PM
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But Herb, I don't mean it! Bambi did it!
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GOLGO13
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/05/05
Loc: St. Louis area
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Re: Post Count
[Re: mogur]
#5711786 - 03/04/13 12:15 AM
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I just realized I have a pretty early registration date. Still not an expert by any means. but looking at posts from 6 to 8 years ago I have come a long way. I had a couple year break for kids and other things. But now I am back and poor again...
great website
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newtoskies
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/15/12
Loc: SE Ma.
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Re: Post Count
[Re: GOLGO13]
#5712117 - 03/04/13 09:02 AM
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Phil you bring lots of humor into the forum, and that's a good thing. Nothing worse than a dry , boring forum..lol
One of the reasons some of us newbs have high post counts/ my case anyways/ is that we get hooked and want to know more.....and so we start a lot of threads asking is this good , or better than..etc etc.
Heck I was asking about the Nexstar, then I saw the EXT...lol just so many cool things in this hobby that my/our heads spin.
Post counts, I don't look at them. I am more concerned with the questions and answers.
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csrlice12
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/22/12
Loc: Denver, CO
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Re: Post Count
[Re: panhard]
#5712118 - 03/04/13 09:02 AM
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"Some posts ask something like, I am considering a C8 or an Orion 8Xii. What's wrong with posting simply 'a C8'?"--GeneT
Because that's just the plain wrong answer.......
After a while, you start noticing who the smart ones are, and I've learned a lot just reading their posts....If Jon, Starman1, BillP, GeneT, (and that Al guy who names his eyepieces after his TV)...tell me something on these forums, you can pretty much take it to the bank. AND, when they don't agree on something, there's been some really good "Popcorn" fights here......
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GeneT
Ely Kid
Reged: 11/07/08
Loc: South Texas
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Re: Post Count
[Re: csrlice12]
#5713078 - 03/04/13 06:28 PM
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Quote:
"Some posts ask something like, I am considering a C8 or an Orion 8Xii. What's wrong with posting simply 'a C8'?"--GeneT Because that's just the plain wrong answer....... After a while, you start noticing who the smart ones are, and I've learned a lot just reading their posts....If Jon, Starman1, BillP, GeneT, (and that Al guy who names his eyepieces after his TV)...tell me something on these forums, you can pretty much take it to the bank. AND, when they don't agree on something, there's been some really good "Popcorn" fights here......
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orion61
Vendor(Clear Edge Optical)
Reged: 10/20/07
Loc: NW Iowa BURRRR
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Re: Post Count
[Re: GeneT]
#5714137 - 03/05/13 10:32 AM
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Then again the advise is worth exactly what you pay for it. 
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neotesla
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/18/10
Loc: Canada
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Re: Post Count
[Re: orion61]
#5714337 - 03/05/13 12:16 PM
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At one point there was a thread in the Offtopic forum that was meant for posting for no reason... If I remember correctly, there were a number of posts in it from people boosting their post count to the next level: member to super member.
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drbyyz
sage
Reged: 11/04/12
Loc: Summerville, SC
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Re: Post Count
[Re: neotesla]
#5714347 - 03/05/13 12:21 PM
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My post count is climbing pretty quickly mostly from asking questions!! I guess as long as I'm reading the answers then my knowledge must be going up.
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Paco_Grande
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/14/12
Loc: Napa Whine Country
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Re: Post Count
[Re: csrlice12]
#5714383 - 03/05/13 12:40 PM
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AND, when they don't agree on something, there's been some really good "Popcorn" fights here......
When all the experts agree, be very worried.
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SteveMushynsky
member
Reged: 02/21/13
Loc: Syracuse, NY area (Central NY)
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Re: Post Count
[Re: panhard]
#5715784 - 03/06/13 03:10 AM
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I backed into a post once.
Does that count?
I've found that forum posts in general all stand alone with respect to their 'worth'.
I appreciate all thoughtful posts and thanks to their posters.
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sg6
sage
Reged: 02/14/10
Loc: Norfolk, UK.
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Re: Post Count
[Re: SteveMushynsky]
#5715913 - 03/06/13 07:42 AM
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A lot depends on the person and what they are on a forum for.
If a bit more on a social approach then to run up posts relatively fast is simple. You keep on eye on a thread and respond several times.
If you answer a question then you could simply put your take on it and leave it at that = 1 post, or you could argue your point of view.
Can also depend on the sections in which you have an interest. If you build your own scopes then there is the possibiliuty of several threads and several posts within each getting answers and sorting out problems.
Another I have found is one person asking a question, you answer say 2-3-4 posts to get everything sorted. The person then asks another question and you are again able to answer. Have had a couple of instances of this where for 4 or 5 questions I was basically communicationg through a forum with one person on the problems they were having.
Must have added 30+ to the post count but all were to get a solution and was ultimately successful.
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Skooter
member
Reged: 08/30/12
Loc: middle TN
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Re: Post Count
[Re: sg6]
#5717050 - 03/06/13 06:49 PM
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Successful internet use is dependent on developing a sense of what is BS and what isn't. We've all been on forums where a couple of trusted (high count) folks post their experience with an issue, then it catches like wildfire and becomes new "truth" across the worldwide web.
I'm still wondering why the factory tires on my new Honda Element lasted 50K miles and my KLR motorcycle never had "doohickey" problems. And I'm hesitant to even mention these, because if there's another KLR or Element owner on this forum, I'm about to get flamed, bigtime.
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TL2101
sage
Reged: 09/17/10
Loc: Concord, Ca
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Re: Post Count
[Re: Skooter]
#5717118 - 03/06/13 07:29 PM
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Is a Pooh-Bah really a higher status than a Sage? Being a Sage sounds pretty good but a Pooh? 
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Astrodj
sage
Reged: 08/24/11
Loc: Missouri
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Re: Post Count
[Re: csrlice12]
#5717618 - 03/07/13 01:24 AM
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After a while, you start noticing who the smart ones are, and I've learned a lot just reading their posts....If Jon, Starman1, BillP, GeneT, (and that Al guy who names his eyepieces after his TV)...tell me something on these forums, you can pretty much take it to the bank. AND, when they don't agree on something, there's been some really good "Popcorn" fights here......
+3, I think...
There are some more people I would add to your list of gurus, though.
I started in '69 and never stopped, but was a loner 99% of the time. I never heard of CN until I joined less than two years ago (but I did drive to Norman, Ok. to visit Astronomics and pick up a purchase when it was a hole in the wall office suite the year Halley's Comet returned). Heck, I don't even facebook.
CN has been a terrific resource for me. Finding a group of like minded folks, a lot of whom know way more than me about my passion, has been tremendously helpful.
A new dimension added to my lifetime of amateur astronomy.
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Tophat3
member
Reged: 07/20/10
Loc: Columbus,Ohio
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Re: Post Count
[Re: Astrodj]
#5717764 - 03/07/13 05:54 AM
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I agree
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uniondrone
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/05/09
Loc: Streetlight Archipelago
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Re: Post Count
[Re: Tophat3]
#5718226 - 03/07/13 11:37 AM
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I agree that the quality of the advice and the knowledge of the source matter most. I know of a few people with high post counts whose advice I'd take with a grain of salt. Also, I know of some folks with modest post counts whose advice you could take to the bank.
However, I'm a little more reluctant to say that post count means "nothing". A lot of the real heroes on this site also happened to have high post counts. There are about a dozen or so folks on here in particular who I would consider to be unquestionably experts of amateur astronomy. All of them have high post counts.
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Eric63
sage
Reged: 06/16/12
Loc: Ottawa, Ontario
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Re: Post Count
[Re: uniondrone]
#5718316 - 03/07/13 12:16 PM
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After browsing the boards for a while you get a sense of who is very knowledgeable and you greatly appreciate when these individuals answer your questions. I cannot say how much I have appreciated the help from those like Jon, Norme, Edgie, Glen and the many more who have given their time and patience to educate me. But some Newbie’s with high post counts are also appreciated since they are experimenting like me and have a different angle on a particular issue, or simply bring great comical relief to what could be a dry forum
Eric
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smallscopefanLeo
sage
Reged: 01/23/11
Loc: L.A., CA (& Home Plate, Mars!)
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Re: Post Count
[Re: TL2101]
#5720013 - 03/08/13 08:33 AM
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Is a Pooh-Bah really a higher status than a Sage? Being a Sage sounds pretty good but a Pooh?
I do wonder about who picked these titles out 
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csrlice12
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/22/12
Loc: Denver, CO
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Re: Post Count
[Re: smallscopefanLeo]
#5720031 - 03/08/13 08:45 AM
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These are cloud packer names; they do this to make fun of us......
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smallscopefanLeo
sage
Reged: 01/23/11
Loc: L.A., CA (& Home Plate, Mars!)
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Re: Post Count
[Re: csrlice12]
#5720055 - 03/08/13 08:58 AM
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If there was a post count level upon which I could be bestowed the title: "Nebulously Virile Cloud Warrior of the Virgo Cluster" ..then I would be posting with abandon right now to get to it!! 
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