Same here. I also learn a lot about Linux by helping others.

Luckily I'm not a senior member any more and don't have anything to say about it :p

I am sorry, but that is just plain silly. It would only be valid if everyone here was learning linux from here, and the knowledge they gained was in direct proportion to the number of posts they made here.

T'ain't so. Speaking just for myself, I can tell you that I am one of the most senior people who post on this site. I have been designing, deploying, integrating, and programming computers for longer than many of the people who post here (including a number of the "senior members") have been alive. I have used Unix since well before there was a Linux.

But I only post here sometimes. Usually in spurts, and as governed by both my interest in posting here (which waxes and wanes) and by how busy I am doing other things. Hence, I am not a senior member and might not be one for years.

There are many here like me.

Feedback in this thread has been great - keep it coming. A couple comments (and if I've missed any requests for info or items specifically addressed to me, please repeat):

* The tag needed to mark a post as an answer is "answer".
* A guest viewing a thread does increment the number of views
* It's been mentioned, but to reiterate: the titles here at LQ are only an indication of post count at LQ. Nothing more, nothing less.

As for:
Thanks, much appreciated :)

--jeremy

Although I have never paid attention to it on LQ, I know that there are other sites where you can become a 'senior member' by only starting threads (read: asking questions) and not answering any. I think that's the case here as well ( http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...l&titlesonly=0 ), so titles don't mean anything with regards to knowledge, ability and willingness to help.

Here's a suggestion: Titles have no bearing on anything of value. They are basically worthless. Toss them. Or, as someone else suggested, give everyone the same title, "member".

And another idea, since post counts prove nothing, think about getting rid of them too. The only purpose they serve is bragging rights, "My thing is bigger than your thing".

What's wrong in feeling a pride of association with LQ.org? I think user titles serve a valid purpose in bestowing recognition upon long-term members, not necessarily for their knowledge or anything, but for the length of time they've been associated with LQ.org.

In a way, having these little incentives actually help in retaining members and building up a feeling of community. Since most members contribute here out of their own time and effort without any renumeration, it's the least that LQ.org can do is to give a token recognition for their efforts. It makes sense in that perspective.

The fact is that, I see nothing wrong in feeling a sense of "pride of association" with LQ.org and if post counts and user titles help in building that pride of association over a period of time, I see them as a very useful part of the site. That's what keeps long-time members motivated enough to continue contributing. We are all human beings with emotional needs and wants and not just robots.

Sure, we are all here because we like to help out people, but there is a genuine want of recognition that continues to motivate us to contribute and participate.

Equality is all very good in principle, but it rarely works out in real life. The fact that it ignores the emotional requirements of individuals is why this concept always falls down in a heap when put to the test.

You make good points harishankar. I still don't like the post counts though. Post counts should be made private or something.

I get your point though. It's been suggested in the past as well, but Jeremy has opted to retain them at this forum.

In my experience, newbies really get a little extra understanding about how stuff works, a nice welcome (ah! #1 post!) etc. You'd lose this extra welcoming if you didn't know who was new around here. (same as joining date...)

Not that you should not be nice to everyone!

ie, another opinion in favour of keeping titles and numbers.

(you get +1 per post, not per thread)

titanium_geek

Completely Accepted
 

I really accept with ur view(It's not that ur view is contradicitng me and I want to avoid the contradiciton so Im accepting but I really liked it)I accept this one from Titanium_Geek

root is right

sigh- please add your own opinions here- don't just grovel to other members! You won't be banned for expressing dissenting opinions!

TG

Harishankar, for someone who's no longer a senior member with nothing to say on the subject you've sure gone on to say a fair bit :D

That comment was a shameless plug to get some cheap publicity for my user title. :p

:D