Word count instead of character count. Or possible as well as it.

[KakeiTheWolf 652]

This probably won't be agreed with, but I think that a 20 word limit would be better than a 100 character limit. The reason for this is because this would make it easier to be witty where necessary while still having a decent limit.

 

The reason for twenty words is that the consensus for the average word length would be 5 letters. This means 20 words would usually make for 100 (More or less, characters). This way, people also cannot spam letters to bypass the limit, because it would only count as one word.

 

The 20 words have the potential to fall below 100 characters (counting in 1, 2, 3, and 4 letter words) or rise above 100 characters (With any word of 6 or more letters). I feel this would give room for more clear chances at wit while sustaining the quality of posts.

 

Does this seem like a viable alternative? Or is it possible that both a word minimum and a character minimum could be made to work together? I could easily make 100 characters with three words: Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis... Really, pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.

 

I think that making a ten word minimum along with the existing 100 character count would be ideal for most places, eliminating the chances at letter spam to reach the limit. For life advice, there could be a similar thirty word minimum for the 200 word minimum. Adding a word minimum like this is easy, can't hurt, and can only help.

 

Does this seem like a viable idea? (Sorry, was tired when I wrote this)

[PonyEcho 1,610]

honestly we have something that works now, posts are now at a better quality, putting a word limit in now would just piss people off.

[Key Gear 6,663]

This way, people also cannot spam letters to bypass the limit, because it would only count as one word.

 

Well, we actually discussed a word limit instead of a character limit. The average word length on this site was about 5.6 characters, so, the thinking went, this would have been slightly better than a 100 character limit.

 

The problem is that people can actually still spam letters to bypass the limit. All they have to do is put spaces between them, like so:

 

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r d t u v

 

Voilà! 20 words (only 40 characters).

 

The character counter isn't perfect, but I believe that it represents the best possible compromise given the choices that we have available.

Edited July 30, 2012 by Scootacool

[Tom 891]

The word limit would prevent people from spamming random characters yes, but then they just have to add spaces between said spam.

 

And usually people do use proper sentences when trying to bypass the limit, so a word limit wouldn't stop that.

 

However, with regards to people trying to bypass the limits, your suggestion is fairly solid. And a word limit would encourage users to focus on making coherent sentences.

 

If it's decided that both limits are used I would recommend making it so that only one has to be satisfied.

[Pinkazoid 3,493]

If they do change it to word limit, they should lower the words needed, about 10, and block out all words with less than 3 characters.

 

.....But I prefer the character limit '~'

Edited July 30, 2012 by The Great & P Pinxie

[KakeiTheWolf 652]

If they do change it to word limit, they should lower the words needed, about 10, and block out all words with less than 3 characters.

 

.....But I prefer the character limit '~'

 

There are 103 words in the English language that have less than three words.

 

An alternative, however, would be to censor 1 character words that are not "I" or "A". If someone is spamming "A I A I A I A I A I", it's really obvious they aren't even TRYING to make a worthwhile post.

[Strife 455]

Personally, I wouldn't mind a word limit, although I would recommend having at least 30 words (but honestly 40 is what I would like).

 

Why? Because extremely short posts very rarely contribute to a thread.

 

[Above message is about 33 words]

[Filly Pinkie Pie 208]

If they do change it to word limit, they should lower the words needed, about 10, and block out all words with less than 3 characters.

 

.....But I prefer the character limit '~'

 

It's true, what you said. All of it. Even preferring the character limit.