chadmg - 4:22 pm on Oct 18, 2004 (gmt 0)

killroy, you've hit the nail on the head. A high post count means that they are experienced in the forum, and possibly in the area you are discussing. You should respect your elders' opinions because of their experience, but that doesn't necessarily mean they know more than a someone newer to the forum. But a large post count may mean that they are more dedicated to the forum, that they have been researching the subject for a while, or that they have a large interest in the subject.

We evaluate people everyday based on how they look. It's human nature. Post counts are a way to give an impression of the person speaking. It's not a perfect solution, and it could very well be misleading. But so can the way someone looks. Which is exactly the point. You should always look beyond that first impression and decide for yourself about the quality of the post. But people need a way to weight their opinion with something tangible.

I often also judge the quality of someone's post on their avatar or signature. If I see a britney spears avatar and a quote about rainbows, I might think that post has less value than something more professional or cooler. :)