Valueless Responses

[Riverkilt]

Is it just my perception? Last few weeks it seems to me that there have been many more valuless responses to posts than before....?

I'm talking about the "me too" "atta-boy" "looking good" stuff.

Maybe I'm turning into an elderly old grouch...just seems to me that stuff is better posted on a PM.

What's frustrating for me is to have to wade through a few pages of it to get to the meat...if there's any there...

Seems it would be frustrating for the person who posted hoping for info, guidance, or an answer.

Would hate to see the value of this board lost from diluting it with valueless posts.

Just a reality check. Don't think anyone's doing anything wrong and not suggesting any changes...other than maybe considering whether to post an atta-boy or PM it.

And yes, I'm sure I'm guilty of it too...

Ron

[auld argonian]

I hear, ya, man!


Best

AA

[Avonlea22]

I disagree.

[Jeremiah]

Is it just my perception? Last few weeks it seems to me that there have been many more valuless responses to posts than before....?

I'm talking about the "me too" "atta-boy" "looking good" stuff.

Maybe I'm turning into an elderly old grouch...just seems to me that stuff is better posted on a PM.

What's frustrating for me is to have to wade through a few pages of it to get to the meat...if there's any there...

Seems it would be frustrating for the person who posted hoping for info, guidance, or an answer.

Would hate to see the value of this board lost from diluting it with valueless posts.

Just a reality check. Don't think anyone's doing anything wrong and not suggesting any changes...other than maybe considering whether to post an atta-boy or PM it.

And yes, I'm sure I'm guilty of it too...

Ron

Atta-boy!


Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[NewKilt]

I'm sort of on the fence post on this. I have read many posts where I thought a little bit more than an "atta boy" could have been said. At the same time, I don't think we can devise any rules that would quantify whether or not a post is valuable, and would not suggest that we try.

I'm sure I've fell into the "atta boy" category on more than one occation. All I can suggest is that we attempt to make our posts add some value in a thread.

Darrell

[Iolaus]

Some of us think it's because of the "Celebration Zone" forum. There was a discussion about this a few days ago, here. We're hoping it'll die down pretty quick.

[GlassMan]

I have to disagree. When it comes to posts in the "pics" sections and such let's be honest, we're posting our pictures there for validation. We want to share how we look and hear back that we've done a good job putting our kilted attire together. So in the context of that forum I think a "looking good" post is not only perfectly acceptable but an almost necessary affirmation especially for new kilt wearers.

Also, in the context of a larger discussion, if someone has already placed a post that clearly states your position you really don't need to show your agreement by restating the entire case. However, it will often seem necessary to show your support especially if a discussion is getting rather heated. So once again I think that a "I totally agree" post is also okay in many circumstances.

And finally, when we post an announcement about an important event in our lives, it makes people feel good to hear congratulations from others. Yes, it's possible to do it as a PM, but a public validation often feels better to many people than a private one. It's not only knowing that your peers are proud of you, but that others know that your peers are proud of you. If I saw an announcement post of say an impending marriage or a new business opening and there were no replies I'd feel rather sorry for the poor chap. Even if everyone on XMarks has sent a PM expressing their congratulations, it would look to an outsider like we couldn't care.

Now, those gratuitous posts that seem to have no purpose other than to inflate post counts are a bother.

What annoys me more than lots of "atta boy" posts are when a thread suddently takes a sharp left turn and winds up with two different conversations going on at once - the one that's related to the original post and another one only tangentially related that should really be in its own thread.

[Riverkilt]

Thanks for that link Iolaus. I worked late Thursday then boogied out of town early Friday. Just got back tonight. Missed that whole thread.

Didn't mean to duplicate, only go down to the off topic forum every now and then and obviously didn't tonight.

Read through the thread there and the topics obviously been addressed.

Ron

[Iolaus]

I worked late Thursday then boogied out of town early Friday. Just got back tonight.

Yeah, I was wondering. I'd noticed that you were strangely silent for a few days. ;)

[Robin]

Ron, I also disagree with you...and I agree with Phil.

I'm one of those who often say: Very nice!, Congrats! and Welcome!

That's probably 50% or more from my postcount, but I'm not posting those remarks to get a funny rank. I say it because I mean it.

When people post a picture...they like to show the world how they look...they're sometimes proud (new kilt, new whatever) and sometimes they like feedback. A compliment is never a valueless response imho.

Same with new forum members...for some it's a huge step to get a kilt and some are far from certain about it all when they jump in.

When I joined this forum I just ordered my 1st kilt....and I was very uncertain....to say the least.
The warm welcome and nice words (also from you btw ;) ) helped me tremendously.

Some have knowledge...they have the answers to the questions.

Some...like me...have little knowledge and hardly ever an answer to the questions. I can say hello and make compliments though...I like compliments, so others like them also I guess.

It's a nasty job, but someone has to do it :mrgreen: