I couldn't care less if my post count is reset. However, I don't see how doing that would help at all. Two and a half years from now, we would face the same problem: a very small percentage of the members would be very active and have very high post counts, which may prompt administration to come in and reset the post count again. This is simply the nature of Gaussian distribution, and studies show that human behavior is very Gaussian.
One more thing about post counts: as part of the staff on a different BMW forum, I collaborated with a researcher from Stanford University who is studying online networking sites. This person was kind enough to share the compiled results of the research (which included several sites -- not just one). One of the conclusions was that aside from personal interaction with the members of the site, the most important determining factors used by forum members to assign credibility to the information posted were number of posts, time on the network, and member status. I think we can all agree that these three are closely related.
I can see how a new member would be hesitant to take advice from me if I have been a member since April 2004 and only have 7 posts. Then again, I really don't care. I must say, though: it is not like UB has a problem with people running up their post count anyway. Perhaps a compromise would be to hide that information from the sidebar. The system can continue logging our post count, but perhaps the actual number is only viewable if one visits a particular member's profile. Or maybe each member can only see his or her own post count, but the number of posts still determines our "member status."
scooter, please take the following words for what they are. Understand that there is no hostile tone that goes with them. As soon as I read RSF5's post, I knew it was a joke. I didn't even need to get to the part where the post says "j/k." Although we have shared a lot of time on this board, I don't know this member personally, we have never PM'd, emailed, or probably even replied to each other's posts on the board. Nevertheless, being around this member has been enough for me to understand the MO I should expect, and thus I knew right away that the aforementioned statement was made in jest. As a newcomer, you are at a disadvantage because you haven't had the chance to get to know us the way we know each other's online personae. Please take this into consideration when reading some of the stuff on this site.
One things that I would recommend is that discipline be handled via PM or email. I don't think there is any need for the newcomers to see that UB scolds members publicly.
I must say that I am just now learning that UB is facing a financial dilemma and I am bit concerned. When the site was first created, we were informed that ad revenue was not of utmost importance, that the site had been created for entertainment purposes mostly, and that the site's founder would take care of the bill gladly if that became necessary. We were told then that the aim was to form the best -- not the largest -- BMW enthusiast board on the Web. I understand that things change with time, but I figured I would try to educate the new staff on what the members have come to expect from UB and why that is.
In terms of growing the site, we need to be aware that UB is facing up against some online BMW enthusiast powerhouses that are very well established. No simple changes will get UB further up the ranks. Start by growing the Knowledge base. Be intentional and get staff members and perhaps some of the hardcore old timers to be very intentional about documenting their projects well. You think having the best DIY procedures will not attract traffic? What about RMC? When the idea was first conceived, the goal was to make RMC into something that would compete head to head with the large car showcase sites. UB started the race late. The large sites are way ahead. Simply drinking water will not help UB catch up. UB needs an energy drink.
I reserve the right to use the ideas that I have proposed on the site on which I am staff. I don't want a deja vu of something we had a few years ago happen, when UB staff accused the staff on the other site of being copy cats, to ensue.
Lastly, allow me to clarify that I am aware that I have been warned to not post at all unless I have something useful to say. Usefulness is subjective, and the best I can do is express that I believe that this post can be useful to UB to the best of my knowledge. I hope that at least some of the members agree. If I manage to be of help to any of the staff, that would be a welcomed surprise.
kthxby