First, as you've probably just learned, don't post anything complaining about the XP system in general. We all know it has flaws and stuff, but anything that sounds even half-related to a whine is going to get voted down. Consistantly.

Second, when you post follow-ons to 5 year old posts, post something of value to the thread. Your post is going to have nearly no context anymore, meaning that anyone who follows the link in Newest Nodes is going to need to then click on the "In reply to..." or "in thread ..." links to get that context. Further, a lot of people won't even click on your post at all since they don't recognise the thread. Others may click on it, but they'll be a bit confused as to why you posted there. Thus, you need to have something reasonably insightful or some other significantly positive contribution to make in order for someone to give you an upvote.

Third, it's pretty rare that a thread on someone's signature makes it too far, unless that thread is really funny or really perl-oriented and on-topic for that thread. Some people will get inspired to write a new meditation or SoPW based on others' signatures, but then it's on-topic for that thread, because the original post is about that signature. Again, it still needs to be perl-oriented. Instead, send the person a "/msg" in the chatterbox. For example, just type /msg anniyan Pretty scary, (CREATED in HELL by DEVIL for EVILS in WORLD) what does it mean? into the chatterbox input line, and hit talk. Then anniyan can respond privately.

Fourth, and probably most importantly, lurk. Learn the customs of this site prior to participating. Some customs are simple (SoPW's just have to be about perl) and thus it shouldn't take long before you can participate there (just read a couple - especially ones that have hit the Best Nodes page). Some are a bit more complex - a bit of lurking in PerlMonks Discussion may have saved you from losing all those XPs ;-}

In reply to Re: Low Status by Tanktalus
in thread Low Status by cowhide

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