[HPFGU-Feedback] Re: 5 Posts per day limit

[Susan Albrecht]

Random832:
> > > And I don't think that posts in one discussion should go towards
> > > any "limit" so as to prevent from posting in an unrelated discussion.

Jen:
> > Your second idea is more appealing to me and would also help the
> > problem Betsy mentioned of discussions drying up. I have my fears
> > we'd be back at square one, but if people want to consider that one
> > I'm open to it.

Random832:
> How about - a limit of three posts per person per subject per day?
> Sure, it's still a bit - no pun intended - subjective as to whether
> two posts are on the same "subject", but it seems more easily judged
> and agreed upon than other criteria, while still allowing flexibility
> to participate in multiple discussions.


SSSusan/Shorty:
This is a very interesting idea, Random.  I think it would be a little tough at times for elves (as you acknowledged), and definitely a little more work than simply being sensitive to the total number of posts from members, but it should sure be discussed as an option.  (I agree with Betsy when she suggested that this particular issue of posting limits seems fairly *fluid.*  It has changed in the past, more than once, and there's no reason to consider it a totally closed issue, that's for sure.)  

My initial concern as SSSusan, as opposed to Shorty, is that I might be peeved to be told that I can only have 3 on one topic per day.  If we'd previously been allowed 5 total, why should I be limited to 3 on one topic, if that's the only topic I happen to care about at the moment?  (I didn't really have much trouble with even 3 posts, personally, but it's just a thought I had when I read your suggestion, that this might seem unfair to some.)

Now, to a little of the history I've been wanting to give.  [I think I'd better "clock out" at work as I draft this post!]  As you know, there was a time when there were no posting limits at HPfGU.  I can say that there were a number of concerns which arose, eventually, under that system, many of which came from a number of list members themselves, such as:  a few individuals posting as many as 12-15 times per day, which some members saw as dominating the boards; some members who never combined responses or seemed to worry about the quality of their posts because they could send in any number they wanted; and (a biggie!) list members who were upset that they could no longer keep up, as they wanted to do.  

Additionally, there were concerns from the elves, especially after the release of OotP.  Those first few days after OotP were *amazing* -- I once checked on the numbers, and IIRC, there were something like 900+, then 800+, then 600+ posts those first 3 days after the list came back up.  It was exhilarating in some ways, but also very tough on the admin team, not to mention list members trying to keep up.

All of this led to an experiment with a small number of posters who voluntarily limited themselves to 3 posts per day.  Much discussion ensued at that time.  Those who were "guinea pigs" tended to feel, IIRC, that they *were* "forced" into being better posters -- to be more thoughtful, more careful, and to consider more before hitting "Send."  With this feedback and with membership continuing to rise and with the release of HBP approaching, the admin team elected to go to a list-wide 3 post per day limit.

Time went on.  We survived the HBP release <g>, and gradually there were some complaints, both from listees and from elves, that perhaps 3 was too restrictive -- that such a limit cut off some exchanges prematurely, might force members to feel compelled to take an exchange offlist, etc.  After much *more* discussion, the Admin Team elected to move the limit up from 3 to 5.

Speaking for myself personally now, do I think it's perfect?  Nope.  There are times when it "hurts" to stop at 5.  There are posters who still find a way to send in posts that don't contribute much to the discussion (the "quality issue," I suppose).  But do I think removing the limit will correct those things?  I'm not sure, I'm just not.  And I do think that what we have now is *much* better than what we had in the days of unlimited posting.  

Siriusly Snapey Susan/Shorty Elf