Does anyone bother replying to people with a low post count?

<p>Lately I've found that I don't really like responding to people with a new account and a low post count. Does anyone do this too?</p>

<p>nope, i think you're the only one</p>

<p>I agree with emsibdn</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I really hate how Cafe posts don't bring up your post count because its "off topic." If they did, I would probably have double my posts.</p>

<p>hohoho, you're a funny one. haha, seriously, though. I do reply sometimes to some people with about 2 posts, mostly they ask finaid questions or whathaveyou, and they usually haven't been around CC a lot, and lack a certain etiquette and they often don't reply to the suggestions/posts. Eh, I don't know. Just thinking out loud.</p>

<p>o crap..i never realized cafe post didnt count..</p>

<p>well i wouldn't ignore someone who simply had only 2 posts, i mean come on. is it their fault they're new or changed their name etc. i honestly wouldn't mind if someone had 2.459 posts, it makes no difference whatsoever.</p>

<p>Something else that sometimes bothers me is that people that don't contribute, so-called lurkers, get all the info and help for free without themselves ever helping someone else on CC. I'm glad you're not too mad with me Ameechee :).</p>

<p>Case in point:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=22254%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=22254&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>well you have to start at somepoint in your CC life. and the best way to start off well is to ask others questions and become aquainted with CC asap.</p>

<p>I understand that. We all started with 0 posts. But when I start looking at the number of people with what is obviously a new account, post about some dilemma, I often wonder what are the chances that they will stick around and help someone else, not leech off others and give nothing back in return. What are the chances that the person in the link below with but one post will return after getting help to help others? Eh, I feel that when they come crying to CC over some dilemma, they'll most likely take what they get, run, and take CC for granted or won't return the favor of receiving help.</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=22665%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=22665&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>well its not so much about the receiving as it is for giving. when you give something, you shouldn't always be expecting something in return. and we're not going to be like "well, since you only have 1 post, i don't really think you deserve our input." i don't know, i guess everyone has their own opinion.</p>

<p>I do realize that, like I said in my previous posts. And it is not I that expect something in return, like I said, I meant something in return to CC, whoever it may be. TINSTAAFL... there is no such thing as a f-ing free lunch. I lava economics.</p>

<p>and why do you care so much about the welfare of CC? i mean yeah, it probably has helped us all in various ways, but i don't think its necessary for one to battle all the 1 posters for the sake of CC. and there's also nothing you can do about those people unless of course you deside to spite them all and purposely ignore their questions. but personally, i think you are taking this too far.</p>

<p>shooshoo, yet again you go off on one of your tangents. I was solely seeking out opinions, not recommending a course of action. It's really sad what you're trying to do, haha :). I think people in the OC thread need your help, check that out. He...he...he.</p>

<p>It has been suggested that active members are those with numerous posts, however if you do not feel like responding to those with few posts then their posts will never increase. By not responding you are discouraging them from posting further and making them resent the CC for its lack of concern. You will turn it back around again, bc just as you dont want to reply to them for their lack of posts, which has a small possibility of being from selfish posts and no return posts, they will not want to reply either. By not responding to new members or inactive ones you are encouraging them to do the same and remain on their innactive path. SO GET OUT THERE AND RESPOND!</p>

<p>Thanks for the post hp. I do agree that had I not received any help on CC (I didn't come here at the last minute with a dilemma) last year it would have become more difficult for me to stick around. I do reply to people with new accounts (one of the links above) and if the subject is particularly interesting or noteworth, I'll reply nonetheless. I don't know, I just find it all rather irksome sometimes.</p>

<p>lol glad to post</p>

<p>i think we need alcohol to relieve the tension in the air caused by me :)</p>

<p>oh man cafe posts don't count... GOD DAMN IT... i'd have about 500 if i wasn't banned before :(</p>

<p>This is the natural evolution of an online community. Whether it's college admissions or C++ programming, new members usually lurk for a while, and then get brave and ask a question or two. As time passes, some portion of these members become active participants, and find that they have gained enough knowledge to help the newbie who just stumbled in. Forums are good examples of altruistic behavior - the only reward for helping another member with a question or problem is a "psychic" (in the emotional sense) reward. </p>

<p>Pretty soon, our active members will be listing CC as an EC on their apps... :)</p>

<p>Haha, another good post. I was just thinking out loud and putting this out there to get people's take on it. As far as listing CC as an EC, they should and I should have last year. I wouldn't be exaggerating in saying that I probably spent five times the amount of time on CC that I spent on ECs in high school during the course of a year. I think I've spent about a month's worth of my life, aggregate, on this site, maybe more :).</p>