Thinning the herd.

[JoeRedskin]

Matty,

I like the reply posting requirement. Thank you. I do expect, however, we will get a few thread spammers who will just run up a quick post count with meaningless replies (one word replies, etc.) so I think you will end up needing to set the initial post count pretty high (50-100).

Another thought, and in conjunction with the "new thread" requirements, how about placing a post-per day limit on new members? This would both cut down on spamming to reach the "new thread" requirements and provide newbies with a chance to make limited posts while seeing how things operate around here.

As many of the vets (and mods) know, losing Daseal as an active participant decreases that which was the essence this board. Seeing the decline in several other posters whose contributions I have always appreciated has, in my opinion, hurt the board and, I believe, Daseal and Cpayne have clearly stated the reason why this has occurred.

I do appreciate the mods concern with being an inviting and open forum that encourages discussion by not placing limits on membership. As with Cpayne and Daseal, however, I have missed the "knowledgeable fan" discussion that previously marked this board.

Let me just ask this - what is the Warpath's goal? To have increased membership or to have knowledgable and informative discussions? If the former, change nothing. If the latter, then it may time to place limits on posters. Doing so will weed out the kidwell's, etc. (who simply have to go somewhere else to vent their Extreme opinions) while, hopefully, encouraging those who are looking for some more meaningful discussions to stick around.

If I sound like a veteran snob, so be it. I understand that, in limiting newbies and low-posting regulars/lurkers, the biggest concern is that you limit and cut off discussion. Currently, however, the multiple thread garbage and excessive dross seems to me to be doing the same thing with Daseal's announcement being the most obvious evidence of it.

This post ended up being MUCH longer than I anticipated. I hope it will be taken in the spirit it was meant (See below).

Two final points:
I hope Daseal changes his mind b/c, as many have said, I greatly appreciate his contrarian nature when it comes to the Skins.

In one of your posts you indicated that the mods had already been discussing this issue. I would simply like to thank you for the efforts you, the mods, HAVE made in keeping threads clean, merging where appropriate and locking when appropriate. Given the "in season" issues, I recognize the vigilance used, the careful balancing that you have performed, and the incredible amount of work already being put into the board. And, for all the above critique, this is still the only forum site I visit for discussion. Thank you for your excellent work and commitment.