New Minimum Character Count For Replies., page 1

As I look through the forums, I've been seeing what has been a significant rise in simplistic one-line, atta-boy, what-he-said, and other very-minimal contributions as replies.

Since our previous efforts to remind members that that type of posting activity simply isn't wanted on ATS, we've taken steps to be a bit more proactive.

The quantity of minimal contributions has greatly exceeded what we can ask of our volunteer staff. Almost all current threads have posts that are very-nearly pointless contributions.

As a result, new code has been initiated in the Reply form that enforces an arbitrary minimum character count for all posts to ATS and BTS. The POST REPLY button will be disabled until the minimum character count is satisfied... once satisfied, you'll be able to post your reply.

This new system isn't perfect, but it is intended to serve as a more proactive "as you post" reminder that we prefer all contributions to be well-thought-out additions to the conversation. Post quality trumps post quantity in all regards.

Thanks in advance for understanding and doing your part to ensure each post matters on ATS.


edit to add:
Any member who inserts arbitrary characters or pointless thoughts simply to satisfy what are very small minimum character counts will be subject to warnings, post-removal, or worse.

[edit on 12-4-2009 by SkepticOverlord]

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
As I look through the forums, I've been seeing what has been a significant rise in simplistic one-line, atta-boy, what-he-said, and other very-minimal contributions as replies.

Since our previous efforts to remind members that that type of posting activity simply isn't wanted on ATS, we've taken steps to be a bit more proactive.

New code has been initiated in the Reply form that enforces an arbitrary minimum character count for all posts to ATS and BTS. The POST REPLY button will be disabled until the minimum character count is satisfied... once satisfied, you'll be able to post your reply.

This new system isn't perfect, but it does server as a more proactive reminder that we prefer all contributions to be well-thought-out additions to the conversation. Post quality trumps post quantity in all regards.

Thanks in advance for understanding and doing your part to ensure each post matters on ATS.

Could you please tell us exactly what the minimum character count is?

Hey SO....can you check out that other thread. I posted some very good possible issues that I would love to hear your imput on. Should I c&p them over to this thread?

Here are the links.

www.abovetopsecret.com...
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Thanks

[edit on 4/12/2009 by greeneyedleo]

reply to post by mr smith123

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Now, what is odd, is it shows 75 characters to post, before starting, why is it changing? Is it a set amount with each post, or does it vary?

EDIT- Sorry, that was not meant for "Mr. Smith" to answer, accidently did a reply from his post.

[edit on 12-4-2009 by questioningall]

reply to post by questioningall

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It seems that if you use the "Post reply" button, you need 200 characters in your post. But now I used the "Reply to" button, and apparantly all the characters above what I wrote here also counts as part of my post, so I need less characters (75) before I can submit my reply.

reply to post by ignorant_ape

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appologies for that last post folks - but i had a point to make

a character limit does not , will not and cannot make pointless praise , bitching , trolling or other zero contribuition crap worth reading

no - i dont know what the ansswer is - but i know dammed well this isnt it - mainly because i love brevity - and strive to make my point in the minimalist style

i previously suggested replacing the ` one liner ` infraction with a more meaningfull moniker such as ` zero contribution post `

now i suggest harsher penalities for ` zero contribution ` replies

the previous derisory punishment hasnt worked

this solution has already been shown to have a flaw - and zero contribution posts can still get through

so . as we cannot just do nothing - we need to up the ante - and start with daraconian punishment

1 day post ban for a 1st offence

7 days post ban for the second

perma ban for the 3rd

that will show you are seriouis

Click here for more information.