Why the minimum post requirement to list items for sale?

[Davem]

I’ve been following this forum for a long time but I just don’t have that much to say that hasn’t already been said. Feel kind of foolish just posting to get my number up to 30 but I have a few good items to sell.

[GoldenBear]

> Why the minimum post requirement to list items for sale?

Probably to ensure that people are using these forums to share information, and NOT to sell items by using Whiteblaze as free advertising.

> Feel kind of foolish just posting to get my number up to 30

Easy steps to get your numbers up:
1) When you spend the night at a shelter or camp site, take simple notes on its condition. Privy OK? Water flowing? Good condition?
2) The next time you go to Whiteblaze, look up any post on that place to stay. Note that such a post might be years old -- which is actually a GOOD thing.
3) Post a statement about the condition of that place. It might be nothing more than, "I stayed at Shelter X on this date, and found its condition to be unchanged since the last post five years ago."
Believe it or not, people always want to get the latest information on places to stay. If the "latest" is five years ago, people won't trust that info to be correct. Your posting, even if giving no information beyond "Nothing has changed," will help later hikers.

OR

Anytime someone asks, "What is your preferred piece of equipment to do this task?", simply answer it. No need for detail or an explanation, just say, "I use equipment X and I'm satisfied with it."

In short order you'll have thirty or more posts.
Me? I like to discuss topics, so I've had no problem getting that high.

[Rain Man]

Problem is, some people look at WB like a one-way street, in their direction. Those who come to contribute as much as to get, quickly earn the extra privileges.

[Davem]

Good points, thanks. I’ll keep working on it, I think this makes 26. I have good Warbonnet gear to sell.

[gracebowen]

I've been here just over 3 years and this is my 386 post. I don't usually feel I have much to contribute either

[Gambit McCrae]

Problem is, some people look at WB like a one-way street, in their direction. Those who come to contribute as much as to get, quickly earn the extra privileges.

This to me is why its important to contribute, not for #ofposts, but because the trail is always changing, and the largest source of information is people walking up on a change and when they get home, noting that change on social media. Its kinda like LNT principles and picking up litter on the trail: If we all do even just a little bit, then we all benefit from it. I wont benefit from ALL the info provided, nor will anyone else, but if I contribute 10 things, and learn 1 thing in return then there is a "pay it forward" return to my contributions.

[Rain Man]

Don't put yourself down.

I've been here just over 3 years and this is my 386 post. I don't usually feel I have much to contribute either

[GaryM]

Even a "plus 1" post can be helpful. Multiple people commenting on "this business/shelter/parking lot" is good/bad helps. A single opinion can help but if is is echo'd or challenged can really help put things in perspective.
Oh, ask questions too. Even if they seem silly someone will have an answer, sometimes an alternative, sometimes an aspect that you never even knew existed.

[blw2]

I look at forums as sort of a virtual campfire.
People sitting around the ring, talking about stuff. Sometimes folks have something to say and other times they don't...

my point is that I don't think it's overly necessary to have super rich content in every post. I'm not posting just to make it to 1,000 posts or whatever, just participating in the conversation.

I frequent three different forums currently. Two relating to RV's and this one. I've learned much over the years by 'listening' to the conversation and chiming in now and then.
I've seen some folks on other forums who seem to strongly object about repeating points that have already been stated, or are very impatient with side track comments that are related but "off topic".... Or folks asking a question that has already been answered in some long ago thread....I guess they are looking at forums as being a reference source like Wikipedia or something. Just the facts, then close the topic.

[HooKooDooKu]

I would think that most people who come here are either experienced enough to help answer some of the questions noobs ask, or inexperienced enough to ask questions... Either one counts as a post.

[nate.2346]

I mostly lurk to pick up general backpacking skills, along with AT related knowledge if I take it on.

[Pringles]

I just looked. I joined 1-2-03, and I've made 503 posts. I check the new posts most everyday, but during the whole time I've been a member, I've lived at least 12 hours away from any part of the trail. It's nice to think that a "me too" post would help someone, but realistically, I hope people would prefer to hear from someone who has a better sense of the trail at the moment. If you have questions about Yellowstone or the Bighorn mountains, or the Absorkas, or even the Grand Tetons (they're further than those other places), I'd be happy to chime in. Same with Pictured Rocks or Lake Superior Provincial Park, which were close to where I used to live. Until then, the number of posts I make have been mostly to thank mperry for posting about free books, the occasional question generated about an upcoming hike, and the occasional answer to a question. I don't feel bad about not contributing more, my not contributing helps cut the "fake news." :-)

[FlyPaper]

I’ve been following this forum for a long time but I just don’t have that much to say that hasn’t already been said. Feel kind of foolish just posting to get my number up to 30 but I have a few good items to sell.

As someone who manages other websites, I can tell you that spammers will spam any and all websites that give an opportunity. I doubt WB is worried about someone selling a backpack with only 29 posts. But I can assure you, that without some counter-measures, we'd all be subject to Viagra ads, male enhancement ads, knock-off Rolex ads and more. Counter-measures just need to discourage the hackers and bots, they need not be fool-proof.

Just want to thank the folks at WB that we're not having to see all that here.

[no_1]

Even a "plus 1" post can be helpful. Multiple people commenting on "this business/shelter/parking lot" is good/bad helps. A single opinion can help but if is is echo'd or challenged can really help put things in perspective.
Oh, ask questions too. Even if they seem silly someone will have an answer, sometimes an alternative, sometimes an aspect that you never even knew existed.

Plus 1

I don't have anything to sell yet, but you never know.

[Lnj]

Plus another 1.

I haven't ever sold anything here, as I am still accumulating and tweaking, but I have bought a hammock and a bear can and other smaller odds and ends from here and have received solid advice to purchase from other places as well. Some of the best cottage retailers I only know exist because of this site. Seems like only REI has commericals / media marketing. You have to come to a place like this, full of a myriad of experienced hikers, to find where to get the goods.

[H I T C H]

When I was 13 I opened a bank account with my lawn mowing money. I got my first checkbook too.
Later that Summer I wrote my first check to buy a Bear long bow. The store owner said that they did not accept checks with numbers lower than 100.
I got the bow ;my Dad accepted my check number 001.
I guess the 30 post count is similar ; you gotta hace some credibility.

[Rain Man]

Amen and AMEN to all that. Thanks for the reminder and THANKS to all for the under-appreciated hard work behind the scenes that makes WB a fine site with so few problems that folks have to come up with stuff to critique.

As someone who manages other websites, I can tell you that spammers will spam any and all websites that give an opportunity. I doubt WB is worried about someone selling a backpack with only 29 posts. But I can assure you, that without some counter-measures, we'd all be subject to Viagra ads, male enhancement ads, knock-off Rolex ads and more. Counter-measures just need to discourage the hackers and bots, they need not be fool-proof.

Just want to thank the folks at WB that we're not having to see all that here.

[Shady Bill]

Think this is only my second or third post. Hiked two days for about 15 miles wit my 25 year old son. Nothing to really contribute YET. I read old posts every day a learn from others that are kind enough to take the time to post.