Newbie board

**beloitpiper** · 9th January 09, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by Colin

It's my understanding that posts in the newbie section don't add to your post count.

No, I just checked, and indeed my count did go up by one when I posted.

**Balaamsass51** · 9th January 09, 02:24 PM

Let this thread go by the first time, but have thought about it a bit and would like to respond.

First, doesn't matter to me if a post to the newbie thread gets counted or not. I'm sure I've moved up a notch because of newbie posts, but quite frankly, so what? If I do or don't again I will not lose any sleep over it.

Second, I reply to most of them because I thought it was a nice thing that so many of you responded to my first post.

As far as answering questions go, usually by the time I respond it's been answered, or I don't know the answer.

I usually say the same thing, just a quick welcome and where I'm from. That's because I like to know where the other guy is from. I type my sentence each time, silly to copy and paste when I can type a few words just as fast.

I do agree that these type of posts increase the daily amount, but they are easily bypassed.

FWIW

Matt H.

**Sionnach** · 9th January 09, 04:09 PM

Gosh, I remember when I posted for the first time and what a great welcome I received from so many. My first thought has always been to return the favor and make a large welcome mat so to speak. Count has never really mattered- If I could turn it in at the end of the day for a free brew then maybe. but i don't mind having no count as many look at me as person of no a-count anyway.
Cheers

**Bugbear** · 9th January 09, 04:24 PM

All right, since it has been proven that posting in a Newbie thread causes the post count of the poster to increase by one post, then I wil consider banning myself from posting in the Newbie threads again. I usually try to post a "Welcome" or something in each new members Newbie thread.

If I decide to do that, it does not mean that I will not open the thread and read what the Newbie has posted. It also does not mean that I will never make an exception to my self-imposed-bann and make a post in a Newbie thread if I feel it is important enough to post said post in said Newbie thread.

**cessna152towser** · 9th January 09, 04:26 PM

OK, if I haven't had time to look at the newbie posts for a few days, I admit I have occasionally been guilty of copying and pasting my standard welcome, but its the thought that counts and the Newbie probably neither knows nor cares whether the welcome was individually typed or was copied and pasted, the important thing is to maximise the number of welcomes a new member receives. Where I have something in common, like an ancestral name or they live in a place I know I would add an extra line or two of individual conversation and would check back to see whether it gets replied to by the OP. I'd never considered whether or not posting on these threads affected my overall post count.

**Kiltman** · 9th January 09, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

OK, if I haven't had time to look at the newbie posts for a few days, I admit I have occasionally been guilty of copying and pasting my standard welcome, but its the thought that counts and the Newbie probably neither knows nor cares whether the welcome was individually typed or was copied and pasted, the important thing is to maximise the number of welcomes a new member receives. Where I have something in common, like an ancestral name or they live in a place I know I would add an extra line or two of individual conversation and would check back to see whether it gets replied to by the OP. I'd never considered whether or not posting on these threads affected my overall post count.

I must agree with this philosophy. I take the time to read the newbie posts. If I have something to share I do. I think there is an 'unfriendliness' factor to degrading the newbie posts to not counting.

**Rex_Tremende** · 9th January 09, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by pdcorlis

What the heck are you saying Ron? You mean there's no free steak knives when you hit 3,000 posts?

Sez the guy who was juuuuust about ready to start thinking about a steak dinner....

R.

**ThistleDown** · 9th January 09, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

Where I have something in common, like an ancestral name or they live in a place I know I would add an extra line or two of individual conversation and would check back to see whether it gets replied to by the OP. I'd never considered whether or not posting on these threads affected my overall post count.

I agree. One of the best things about this forum is the friendliness of those who post. Part of that, surely, is a warm welcome to new participants. Somewhat akin, I think, to all of us standing in a circle facing inwards but making room -- with a nod of the head and a smile -- to each who wishes to join us.

**Bugbear** · 9th January 09, 06:54 PM

Well, I'm making progress. I just posted in a Newbie thread, and wrote a little more than just "Welcome."

The strange thing is that when I went to write this post, I found myself writing "Welcome" as the first word...

**English Bloke** · 9th January 09, 07:00 PM

I left the Newbie threads alone for a while because I had a greater interest in the main boards. I felt this was a bit remiss as I received such a warm and resounding welcome when I turned up here (cut and paste though much of it was, I was impressed that members at least took the time to say hello) and so I had a rethink. It does take time to go through every new member post and think of something witty and original to write for each one and if you're pushed for time and wan't to jump to the other stuff, even more so. I think it's probably the right thing to do though so I've recently had a go at posting there again. I like ThistleDown's analogy of everyone standing and nodding a greeting as the new bloke arrives. Nothing much to say at this early point but a friendly gesture to acknowledge the new arrival means much... to the new arrival.

Posts counting towards a grand total? Can't say I'd really noticed or care. It's not why I'm here. If the "they're cheating in the exam" aspect of point accumulation is such an issue why not scrap the Newbie board and let the new members introduce themselves through the normal kilt boards. The newbies are probably here to talk about kilts as well. Quite a few newbies post 1st time on the boards anyway and get referred back to the Newbie board by the Mods. (Perhaps that's something to do with membership headcounting, I dunno...)

Postings Score / No Postings score... Not bothered. As I said, it's not why I'm here.

EDIT: Oh and by the way ... A warm Welcome from Lancashire, England!!