As members will be aware, a certain number of 'quality posts' is required before they are able to access some of the boards. This is intended to protect privacy and ensure that we've had an opportunity to get to know new members a little first. Where the moderator team feel that members are abusing this, in order to gain access to the photo board or other 'protected' boards, we will not hesitate to reduce post counts - this might include those only posting in 'game' threads rather than actually participating in the community.

The moderator team has also decided that posts on the Introductions board will no longer count towards overall post counts. Because of this, some members may find that their post counts have reduced quite dramatically, but we hope that they will also understand why we have decided to do this.

Chris

Sounds like good policy to me.

Nice new avatar, btw!

Nice new avatar, btw!

Thanks! It's a self portrait at Wat Angkor, Cambodia recently. :wink:

Ah thank you for explaining that. I thought my post count looked a little off and wondered why. Good idea on not counting the introduction posts.

Heh. I confess, I confess! :wink: A while back I was tired of waiting for my post count to reach 100 but didn't seem to have much to contribute, so I posted about 10-12 responses to introductions! I knew it was "cheating," but I did so want to get to the Photo Board! :blushing:

This is a good policy, though.

*cough*

Ah ha! I was wondering why my post count had gone down! :smile: I have been watching my posts until I am a full member and I was pretty sure that I hadnt been that off in my thinking! :silly:

Okey dokey...I wasn't trying to hedge my post count. I was genuinely welcoming new people just like I was welcomed.

I think that is a very good idea.

Okey dokey...I wasn't trying to hedge my post count. I was genuinely welcoming new people just like I was welcomed.

That's great! :grin:
However, you may notice there are some members here who have posted virtually nothing except lots of short, generic, 'welcome' messages. It is those individuals who this is primariliy targetted at. :rolleyes:

Chris

Thank you :flower: It contributes to a higher level of safety (although nothing on the Internet can be termed *safe*). I appreciate all of the moderators work on keeping this community a comfortable place to be.:flowers:

That sounds like a good idea. And Beatnik Guy, I like your new avatar too! Although I have to tell you, I think it's coy to use a photo which shows almost no hair... :razz:

Thank you so much to our moderator team :flower:

This issue has been playing on my mind for the past couple of days and I'm so glad to see this action is being taken :flower:

And Beatnik Guy, I like your new avatar too! Although I have to tell you, I think it's coy to use a photo which shows almost no hair... :razz:

Thanks...and LOL! There is a back view in my profile. :wink:

It's no big deal for me I don't spend my time on here to gain a certain number of posts it's about meeting people that have the same goal as me to obtain long healthy hair. And to learn how to do that and share ideas.

I find it correct, above all that posts on the Introductions board will no longer count. I think it belongs to good handling to welcome new members, you should not receive a reward for something that should be quite natural. Of course it makes fun to write also once somewhat inconsequential above music or unimportant things but it doesn't have to be counted. Unfortunately my contributions are often very scarce, sometimes I fight a little bit to express me correctly. I vow Improvement!

Thank you so much for the explanation! Two nights ago I was soo excited because I had finally reached 100 posts, only to discover last night that I was quite a few posts less than the night before. I totally understand the reason, and appreciate it... even if it is a little bit of a suprise! ;)

Thanks
~Joyful

I had just send an e-mail out to the administrator did not quite understand why my posts were going down. After reading the reasons why, I am in complete agreement. No sweat that introductions do not count!!, I agree we should welcome each other not as a duty but as a true sign of cordiality!
Thank You for clarifying this for me!

Thank's for explaining, raised an eyebrow when I first saw what had happend but jus thought - aaah computers...... they've got their own way of doing things so why not strange counting?

Oh, never mind, I'll get there (sometime). Eh - to 100 (and beyone).

I guess that I would consider myself to be a "good girl" because I haven't posted introductions to get to the photo boards. I do wish that I could participate in them though....."sigh" but that's okay I will one day!

I guess that I would consider myself to be a "good girl" because I haven't posted introductions to get to the photo boards. I do wish that I could participate in them though....."sigh" but that's okay I will one day!

You'll be there before you know it. :smile:

I try and welcome all the new members not to get post counts but to welcome them to this great place just as I was so warmly welcomed :grin:. I agree with the decision also.

I try and welcome all the new members not to ge post counts but to welcome them to this great place just as I was so warmly welcomed :grin:. I agree with the decision also.


Me too :redgrin: I still remember who welcomed me when I first joined and they really made me feel happy to be here. I think this is a good move too. Thanks mods :flower:

And, not surprisingly at all, the number of posts in the intro board has been very light today. :frog:

Ah--thanks for explaining, I was wondering what happened, too. Definitely makes a lot of sense. It's still nice to respond to the intro posts, though--I was so happy when people welcomed me!

Thanks so much to all moderators, this was a very good decision. :rockerdud

Also, that way anyone can feel free to welcome all new members without being self-conscious about it. I felt so welcome when I was new, that at one point I tried to welcome everyone. But I must confess I felt a bit awkward about the post count going sky high. I like to think I'm no creep :lol:, but understand if posting a lot of welcome messages would have caused someone's creep-o-meter to go boink! and they'd have thought I was just fishing for posts for the post counter.

What is a quality post?

All of mine. Including this one.

*nods*


:wacko:

HeeHee, when I saw my post count go down I just thought it was "new math"!

All joking aside, I think it's a good idea not to count intro/welcome posts. I too was a good girl and tried to make quality posts. This rule makes me feel better about the privacy here. Plus it makes welcome posts more sincere.

HoiLei.

It makes sense to me. I think it's a good idea though. I like a lot of the people that are high posters. That way you know who is going to stick around and always be here. It deters people who just want to ogle the hair here.

Thanks so much to all moderators, this was a very good decision. :rockerdud

Also, that way anyone can feel free to welcome all new members without being self-conscious about it. I felt so welcome when I was new, that at one point I tried to welcome everyone. But I must confess I felt a bit awkward about the post count going sky high. I like to think I'm no creep :lol:, but understand if posting a lot of welcome messages would have caused someone's creep-o-meter to go boink! and they'd have thought I was just fishing for posts for the post counter.

Yep, I did the newbie welcome dance for a little while when I first joined. Saw everybody doing it and thought, ok, I'm supposed to greet those who introduce themselves.

Then I decided, eek, I don't have THAT kind of time or bandwidth :rolleyes: .

I'm glad that I understand this now. I was :blushing: posting a few to intro's to genuinely welcome them, but also to raise my post count. But if you were to go back and read mine, they weren't all quick hi's. I did actually try to be warm and friendly, hence why I did only a few. I didn't have the time to read all the intro's posts and respond.

I was a little confused why they didn't go up. I figured this was why. Good to know, and I agree with it.

Sounds like a good policy to me. lol. I need to read the site happenings board more often. I'm getting old and just can't keep up with the changes. lol.

Thanks for the clarification as I was just going to ask why I wasn't getting any numbers up there. I agree with the policy though and can see why it is in force. Even for shy people like me. Got to work on that, yes even at my age. Now teach me what you can on growing out this really short hair pretty please!!!!!

I've been wondering about this for a while.

If someone joins and then during their 30 days posts a majority of their posts on the polls board is that considered a quality post?

Would it matter whether or not they were posting "I chose A" or posting "I chose A because my hair is such and such and .........."

The reason I ask is because I've often thought of suggesting that people answer the polls but try not to give short answers.

From my point of view fleshed out answers to polls are quality posts. Basically anything that provides the community with more indepth information about the individual, his/her hair as well as hints and tips from him/her are a quality post.

A quality post is not a 'me too', 'hello', 'I agree' or 'I chose A' without any further explanation. As we've also discussed a bit within the mod community and on the boards too - strained or pushed posting - i.e. answering every single poll you can come upon, adding more or less irrelevant comments to any post you can come upon on the main boards just to up your post count is also borderline for not being considered as quality posting.

The 100 post requirement will come with time for any member that is active on the boards - without pushing and trying to make it as fast as possible. As the current rule is set you also have to be a member for at least 30 days before any privileges kick in, even with 100 posts under your belt. This means that you have a full 30 days to produce your 100 quality posts - that means a little more than 3 posts a day - not too much and thus no reason to try to make it happen faster than it does naturally (most active posters on the board are actually way above 3 quality posts a day...)

Thanks Fia. It is kinda common sense but I just wanted to have an official opinion on that just in case anyone else was wondering.

I often see posts from people who say they've been here for a long time and will never get 100 posts and I was just thinking that if they answered the polls in a quality manner they could easily reach the goal.

I just crossed the 100 quality posts threshold and now I feel I can now add my comments towards the revised policy. I think the rule change has improved to quality of the LHC by requiring new members to post something of substance. Being male, there are many threads that I do not think it is appropriate for me to make posts to as they are obviously feminine discussions. But, since I have joined in May, I have had no problem finding threads where I feel comfortable making comments. I even initiated a few threads myself and was really pleased with the informative responses. If a new member sincerely wants to contribute in the LHC forum, I do not think she/he will have any problem in making 100 quality posts.

I didn't know there were hidden boards on this forum for people under 100 posts. Cool! Besides that, this is a good policy to put in place.
It's no big deal for me I don't spend my time on here to gain a certain number of posts it's about meeting people that have the same goal as me to obtain long healthy hair. And to learn how to do that and share ideas.I agree, DreamingLong. :)

I'm a little confused about this. Could somebody please explain? What qualifies a quality post??.. Where can I find that information? Are my posts counting if I don't write a whole lot. It's hard to get to 100! I just don't think I have that much to say.

I'm a little confused about this. Could somebody please explain? What qualifies a quality post??.. Where can I find that information? Are my posts counting if I don't write a whole lot. It's hard to get to 100! I just don't think I have that much to say.


See this post (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=429244&postcount=34) a little higher up in this thread for a more indepth explanation.

i agree its a good policy. helps to know that people are genuine posters.
ETA: can be frustrating having such a low post count, lol i have been here for ages but i hate writing posts if i feel everything i want to say has already been said. as a result two and a half years later i am still in the hundreds and i see gurus everywhere that have been here half that time. where am i going wrong?

i agree its a good policy. helps to know that people are genuine posters.
ETA: can be frustrating having such a low post count, lol i have been here for ages but i hate writing posts if i feel everything i want to say has already been said. as a result two and a half years later i am still in the hundreds and i see gurus everywhere that have been here half that time. where am i going wrong?
How much time do you spend on the off-topic boards?

Even if you don't feel that you have much to say on hair, on the off-topics there is sure to be discussions where you're the expert, and have a lot to say.

Also, look for people with hair similar to yours, and when they post a thread or question, chime in with your experiences. Also for people who live near you - you can help them find things they're looking for, or point them to products that are locally available.

A journal helps, as well, some type of daily record of what you did with your hair, and anything else you want to track. You've probably tried a lot of techniques and products, and adding to the overall information base of "product X did or didn't work for my hair" is always valuable.

Reading using the "today's posts" or "new posts" search helps as well, because it gets you into the faster-moving discussions. You read, post, go on to the next thread, and by the time you've cycled through the threads and do the search again, someone has responded to you, and you answer them. etc.

That was a really good post Ursula.
I think even for those who may not want to write in a journal everyday they could put a journal thread up just to maybe tell their story so far or just list their current routine. Even if it doesn't get updated. It could be just a list of products and tools used and not much more.

Also since I asked a few posts back it is possible to use the polls board to increase your count as long as you aren't posting just simple "I chose A" answers. The product reviews board is a good one too. You don't really have to like or hate a product. You can just say you tried it.

Example:
"I tried ________ Conditioner and I'm not really sure if I like it or not. But I just wanted to let people know in case they might have experience with it. Maybe they know something I don't? Or maybe someone is thinking of trying it and I could help them. I could read the ingredients or something if needed."

And just to clarify, I'm saying this to everyone, not just Willowcandra. But your 600+ posts is an amazing number and on any other site you'd be the guru. 600 posts means you definitely put your heart into this site. Just like 100 does.

Would it be possible to automate the system to only count posts that are above a particular size? Say, over 100 or 500 characters? That would give an objective definition to "quality", rather than just relying on the mods to notice and subrtract the "me toos" and "I choose As". Also reduce any claims of favoratism or discrimination. It would also be even easier to track down those who are padding their post count with fluff - meaningless content of larger size is very noticable, while it can slip by if kept short.

Glad I chekced here! I was wondering what a "quality post" was exactly. Thank you for clearing that up.

Not counting posting to the introduction page makes total sense as it doesn't add anything to the actual content of the community. Though being welcomed is nice... I know I enjoy being welcomed so I try and welcome others as well. :)

I think this is a wonderful policy. I think other boards could use this site as a model for policies that work. :grin:

These policies about what counts as a quality post and what doesn't are just not a problem for me. I'm a chatterbox.

I've never been one to post "Me too," "Amen," etc. and leave it at that. And I've pretty much stopped posting on the introduction boards because what can you say besides "Hi, welcome to the boards"? I'm glad to see new members, of course, but eventually I'd come off sounding like a parrot.

Brrr-AWK. Welcometotheboards. Welcometotheboards. Brrr-AWK.

See what I mean about being a chatterbox?

That's fine! By the way, your hair is awesome!

Why, thank you. :taking a bow: So is yours.

I think not counting posts in the introduction forum makes sense--except for one thing. New members get this little thing on the site while browsing the forums that say "You haven't posted yet! Go post an introduction!" ... even when they've posted an introduction... :? That really confused me!

I think not counting posts in the introduction forum makes sense--except for one thing. New members get this little thing on the site while browsing the forums that say "You haven't posted yet! Go post an introduction!" ... even when they've posted an introduction... :? That really confused me!

Hehe Clare! Such a good point! That confused me too. I even said outloud "But I DID post an intro!"

I used to post an image (http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/3056/welcome7af.png), instead of text, and it took me the longest time to figure out why the post didn't register. :silly:

That was a really good post Ursula.
I think even for those who may not want to write in a journal everyday they could put a journal thread up just to maybe tell their story so far or just list their current routine. Even if it doesn't get updated. It could be just a list of products and tools used and not much more.

Also since I asked a few posts back it is possible to use the polls board to increase your count as long as you aren't posting just simple "I chose A" answers. The product reviews board is a good one too. You don't really have to like or hate a product. You can just say you tried it.

Example:
"I tried ________ Conditioner and I'm not really sure if I like it or not. But I just wanted to let people know in case they might have experience with it. Maybe they know something I don't? Or maybe someone is thinking of trying it and I could help them. I could read the ingredients or something if needed."

And just to clarify, I'm saying this to everyone, not just Willowcandra. But your 600+ posts is an amazing number and on any other site you'd be the guru. 600 posts means you definitely put your heart into this site. Just like 100 does.
Okay, my new routine:
Daily: comb with my Conair shower comb in the am, style with Infusium23(bun, braid, or whatever), brush in the pm (scrunchie for bedtime)
Weekly: CWC with Pantene ProV Restorative (breakage control) shampoo and conditioner, comb with Conair shower comb, air dry

Any suggestions for this old gal with gray hair?

Our herp yahoo groups use a similar system to weed out trolls and spammers. There are a number of moderators and each new member has their posts moderated - a policy not known to new members. It works pretty well. Also each new member must request to join, and those that write rubbish on that request get turned down. It's amazing what some people will try!

I think not counting posts in the introduction forum makes sense--except for one thing. New members get this little thing on the site while browsing the forums that say "You haven't posted yet! Go post an introduction!" ... even when they've posted an introduction... :? That really confused me!



Okay, I have to admit that it not only confused me but I kept returning to "introductions" and maked new ones!LOL

I, too, felt like an idiot parrot saying the same thing over and over again in the intro section. But I'm going to start posting over there again because I think it makes a big difference to the new people here. If they write an intro, talking about themselves, and then no one notices, it could turn them off and they might not come back. I want new people to feel the true warmth here and to stick around. Does that make sense?

Thanks Zule! By the way, you are my 25th post... I did an introduction, then got a couple of replies of welcome. It does matter to us newbies.

I found it a little difficult to post 25, since I'm certainly not an expert at long hair care. Mostly I have questions and even though I used the search, I didn't find answers to several of them. Now, I should be able to ask them!

ooh, I should have read this post before replying to the "restrictions for new members" board. Well I guess I should go do a little more work, and then come back and look at the actual hair boards rather than just hanging out in the "about the board" sections.

Go for it Ailurokat.. there are so many threads ont the Mane board that you're bound to find a conversation where you can't help but jump in!! Have fun with it.
I'm a natural chatterbox and the people here made me feel so at home, that it didn't take long for me to put in my two cents all the time!!!!


Leni

I wish if the quality posts be reduced from 100 to 50 as some foreign language speakers like me do not write english very well and also its hard for us to express our feelings and thoughts in writing thats why our replies always short!

Ctx, when I started out on the boards I started a hair journal almost immediately. Serves the double purpose of keeping track of all the hair experiments one is bound to do in the beginning (soooo many nice recipes around...) and getting to 100 posts real quick!

I wish if the quality posts be reduced from 100 to 50 as some foreign language speakers like me do not write english very well and also its hard for us to express our feelings and thoughts in writing thats why our replies always short!

CTX, it seems to me your written English is fine. Keep on reading and posting so we can get to know you (and you get to know the mood of the site). Remember, the moderation teams looks for *quality* posts.

I wish if the quality posts be reduced from 100 to 50 as some foreign language speakers like me do not write english very well and also its hard for us to express our feelings and thoughts in writing thats why our replies always short!It's not going to be reduced. Those who post more (and therefore reveal more) deserve to be able to get to know you, too. Besides, your English is fine in this post, anyhow.

Did you have any photos that you wanted to show of yourself or your hair? :smile:

I am pipping in, putting my 2 cents in.....and yes i did gripe a bit about losing posts but the 100 quality post count is a magnificent way of protecting us.....so thank you all mods! Hugs. Just wanted to show my appreciation for your protection and help. such a nice thing is to have people on the net who are concerned about your protection on a public forum. Safety first at all costs!


BTW BN Guy.....love the pic too.....and hopefully soon i will be able to see the back of that pic. when the mods deem me worthy.......I know i'm not worthy.....** Bowing down to the feet of the mods.** (doing my best Wayne's world immitation.....i'm not worthy, i'm not worthy.) but hopefully i'll soon be deemed worthy of that priviledge, when the moderators decide, no huge hurry. I understand and agree/accept all they do is for a magnificent protective reason.







Celtic Princess

I'm still learning the ways of LHC but the one thing which jumps out to me as a newbie is the atmosphere here. It is pleasant, welcoming, kind and encouraging. I work in IT and both work and research online a lot so I belong to other forums, some good, some attrocious.

The moderators set the tone and lead by example. The contrast between this forum with the overwhelming kindness and helpfulness compared to other places with "lowest common denominator" content and downright bullying to anyone with a differing opinion - oh gosh it is SO heartwarming to feel welcomed into a community - in the truest sense - and the mods should be very proud. These introductory restrictions work well, whatever you're doing, keep doing it!

Well, thank you, you two! :flowers:

Dvips

I'm fine with the restrictions to quality posts :) I seem to be chugging along quite nicely toward the 100 posts I need to post/read on the image boards. (Feel free to mark this post unqualified)

It really lets us all get to know eachother and our own hair (and of course, improve our hair) before we run off posting large quantities of images. :silly:

In an unrelated note, Beatnik Guy/Chris, you should really smile more! :grin: You don't look like you are enjoying your luxurious long hair. :sad:

In an unrelated note, Beatnik Guy/Chris, you should really smile more! :grin: You don't look like you are enjoying your luxurious long hair. :sad:

Oh, fear not, LQ, I am enjoying. There must be some pictures of me smiling somewhere -- maybe once you reach the protected boards? :wink:

BTW, your hair is pretty darn awesome too! :bigeyes:

Oh, fear not, LQ, I am enjoying. There must be some pictures of me smiling somewhere -- maybe once you reach the protected boards? :wink:

BTW, your hair is pretty darn awesome too! :bigeyes:

That's good :grin:, protected boards, here I come! ;)

And thank you! Same to you.

No fair !

I am new here and impatient to start new regimens to control my fast shedding hair... so am dying to read profiles and journals of the "wise gurus" here... but instead what do I have to do?

Post quality posts myself for 60 days worth a 100 count before I get there...

Now by the time I post 100 quality posts and be a lurker for 60 days I would have gleaned most of the wisdom by being a lurker anyway ...

but it would have been so much easier by doing it the straightforward way rather than this round-about way

No fair... me screameth !!!

And "slap on the wrist' on anyone who takes my post count away ;-)

No fair !

I am new here and impatient to start new regimens to control my fast shedding hair... so am dying to read profiles and journals of the "wise gurus" here... but instead what do I have to do?

Post quality posts myself for 60 days worth a 100 count before I get there...

Now by the time I post 100 quality posts and be a lurker for 60 days I would have gleaned most of the wisdom by being a lurker anyway ...

but it would have been so much easier by doing it the straightforward way rather than this round-about way

No fair... me screameth !!!

And "slap on the wrist' on anyone who takes my post count away ;-)
If/when you are able to access the private boards and have your own private content up there, you will appreciate the security these restrictions provide. Keep in mind that there are plenty of long-time members who have publically accessible journals. 99% or more of the information you want is already available to you.

--physicschick

Ooh ... I didn't know that...
Err... if it is not too much trouble ...can you point out some names?

Or- what is a way to tell without clicking on each and finding a nasty site notice?

:-)

The Public Hair Journal (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20) Forums are completely open and public.

You won't find any notices there. 8)

Gosh - I knew that (sheepish smile) :-)

Actually I started my own journal there....

I was thinking of maybe some way to tell in users' siggys whether their journal was public or not (foolish grin)

I don't think so... As they all just link to a numbered thread, so there's no way to tell if their journal is semi-private. (some people have private private journals... but that would be silly to link to in a signature)

Your hair is so beautiful....yes.

Who, me? :oops:

Question for the mods or any knowledgable folks: HOW do we access images and private journals? I've been over 100 post for a while (I think I'm at 140-something now?) and I don't see any new threads/boards/options to access. Has my status just not changed yet, or am I not looking in the right place? I'm happy to be patient, just wondering if I'm not looking in the correct place.

Restricted Boards (Photo Gallery, Private Journals, and Community Meets Announcements/Reports boards) are accessible only by members who have been registered for at least 60 days, have at least 100 quality posts, and at the permission of the site Moderators. Once these requirements are met, these areas will automatically show up on the forum index. Please note that being registered for at least 60 days, with at least 100 quality posts, does not guarantee permission to view the boards. Permission is given at the discretion of the Moderators, who review member participation.

(from here (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=838690&postcount=3))

Hope that helps.

Thanks snowbear, that's just hunky dory. Just wondering if I was missing something :)

Ahhh I see! I apologize for the e-mail I sent too...lol, I hadn't seen this thread. I'm really not concerned about making my post count (as you can see, I've officially been here for a bit and still haven't made it to 100) I was just trying to figure out why my count wasn't matching to what I was posting. I wholly support this rule.

Hugs,
Indigo

=)