SpudFiles

I like to measure the difference between new and old members based upon the following things.

By the time they have been registered
Whether they have been posting regularly since joining
Quality and content of the posts
If they post whore or not
Number of posts (not a good indicator)

Finally when determining really old members:
Whether they were registered on the Spudtech forums and if so, their post count and join date on there.

Also: The Spudtech forums had a section called: Frequently Asked Questions aka The Newbie Corner

Maybe have a system so that they can only post in the newbie section within X days of registering, that way they can search for questions already asked, but if they really can't find it, then they can ask in the newbie section.
I agree though, it's very hard to gauge someone's worth just based on one feature such as post count or posts per day. The only real way is to read through some of their posts and look at the quality of what they've written.

The problem with the above is that some members who join are already very knowledgeable and may take it as an insult. Giving them freedom should be fine, only a few will foul up and post in the wrong section, which I can handle.

I hadn't thought about that. Certainly I'd been a member at the UKSGC long before I came here, and even then I tend to post less here, particularly in the winter.
In that case I guess having them directed to read a rules or how to find things page before they are let lose would be a good idea, but I for one am often guilty of not reading EULAs and T&Cs

I had better start post-whoring so that I can come across as "legitimate" or "experienced." Count this one!

I think when people register there should be a introductory page that shows how to use the site, as well as the rules thread. Maybe evening adding a user input "Experience:" (in years) above the joined/posts area. Of course any 12 year old can input 20, which will show as a lie, but I think most people will answer honestly, Ive been building all kinds of fun things other than spudguns for years, but the experience relates directly to my building experience. since I've been a member for only a few months doesnt have anything to do with the quality of my posts, or the input I can add to someones thoughts/ideas. Well that is my 10 grams of copper.

jrrdw wrote:

Sorry but i think the 500+=Old member 1-499=New
Is complete BS.

Where would you draw that line?

I don't believe there is a hard and fast "line". Some catch on a lot quicker than others and several who have been members for years just don't post very often...they would be "old" members but the post count may not be very high.

This post will be my 445th and will put me 101st in total posts out of over 6000 registered members. I've been registered for around 6 months so I don't consider myself an "old" member (even though I used to lurk the Spudtech forums many years ago, even before Joel), but I certainly don't fall into newbie category either.

I do tend to take note when someone's post count is single or double digits but rarely notice or care about it much otherwise. In other words, post count is only slightly more useful than just being a nifty curiosity.

I don't tend to pay attention to post count. I rarely post, but when I do, it's for a good reason, or I say a lot of stuff in it. I never learned to type properly (I'm typing this with 2 fingers so I try to get all my stuff in one post. However bad I am at typing, I ALWAYS spell out my words so as to seem as if I'm not in a coma! I consider "senior members" to be those who think before they post, and are knowledgable.I considered Ragnarok a senior member well before his post count was noticeable because his posts have substance. So, I feel that there is no numerical threshold that determines seniority, but it can give that impression!

I agree, post count is more of a novelty for me, the only time I take it into consideration as far as credibility goes is when it is under 10, beyond that it's all in the content. I've been on here for over a year, basically just lurking. I have seen countless new member screwing up and being corrected, and I like to think I skipped that phase by not posting much in my early stages. Only now have I started posting more, as I am more comfortable with my understanding of how stuff works here, as well as with spudguns.

Also, when I started with this hobby, what I found extremely helpful were sites that gave simple explanations and even plans (yes I know that is frowned upon) which gave me a jumping off point for using this forum.

One last thought is that if anyone is having trouble with the search function, you can specify in google to search only spudfiles, and use that to search. I have found that using this method is easier to find the best hit, and also brings up hits from the spudtech archive which can be extremely useful.

You really can't use post count or age as a measure. Some of the best posts were from first time posters. Some of the most knowledgeable spudgunners are teenagers. (Anybody know when Joanna gets back from her world tour?)

TurboSuper: Anyone who thinks having to write at at least a 5th grade grammar level is "uptight" is wrong for this forum, imo.

I'll second that! If you can't write at a 5th grade level then you can't ask a lucid question. If you can't take the time to try to write lucidly then you really shouldn't been fiddling around with a potentially deadly device.

It scares the crap out'a me when a noob that can't write asks about building a high Nx hybrid, or an oxygen fueled gun, or a pyrotechnic round, or a "paintball gun" with a range of 1000 yards or ...

kablooie wrote:One last thought is that if anyone is having trouble with the search function, you can specify in google to search only spudfiles, and use that to search. I have found that using this method is easier to find the best hit, and also brings up hits from the spudtech archive which can be extremely useful.

Perhaps the spudfiles search function should be dumped and replaced with a directed Google search?

I think that we should make people fill out a profile! Before they can use the forum.. that will give you a good indication of whom you are dealing with. I realize that people put bogus info on profiles but if it is random enough then they will be more likely to be honest.

age: under 12---13 to 16-----17 to 21----21 and over
ocupation/school: elementry-middle-high-colledge/trade-ect.
country: USA-AUSTRAILIA-ENGLAND-ect..
Interests: other than spudguns and such that is discussed here

Just a few... no name or address or other personal info just a generalization of who you are adn what your background is

And if the individual is hostile still the mods (3 or more) should be able to vote to delete the username and send an email as to why it was deleted