I see a lot of threads where the original poster has asked a specific “help-type” question and was given solutions for said issue. The problem is that the OP doesn’t respond or acknowledge what has helped or what the solution was. The result is a thread that is un-resolved and becomes useless when another member tries to use it for informational purposes (the search function)
A side-effect of this sort of forum behaviour is that next time the same OP wants to ask a question, people will think twice about spending their time helping the OP.
So, I ask politely, if you have a specific question, and you are given a solution, please let us know what the solution was. This is for everyone’s benefit.
Dave, I think the factor in this situation that needs to be recognized is that many of the folks asking the questions don’t anticipate actually employing the information/advice offered on an immediate basis.
Unless the poster asks something like, “I’m going to replace the headlight on my Athearn F-unit this afternoon, so what bulb, or LED, do you guys use and recommend?” odds are that the questions posed are more in the nature of advice on “when I get around to it” sorts of projects and layout building.
Thus, if and when the hobbyist does get around to employing the advice he’s received, the thread is likely to be hopelessly lost back on page 20, 30, or 40. Just look at the threads up on page #1 just now, Most of the advice is unlikely to result in any immediately action by the OP. That’s why you don’t see many threads ending in a post by the OP as to how things worked out.
I agree with David. All of this stuff goes into our personal knowledge-base of train stuff, but it is so much more effective when we know what works and what doesn’t. Since we don’t actually have the models on our workbenches, we can only guess at what might be wrong. For those who are just “along for the ride,” reading the thread out of interest, seeing the whole thought process that goes into our unique kind of “tech support” is helpful, but it loses a lot when you miss the final reel of the film and never find out the ending.
For me knowing whether the question was answered or that the OP recieved the information would be nice.
Many of the questions posted are very vague and people often are unsure what the real goal of the question is, but the OP never provides feedback to help the responders. On the other hand, many threads get so off topic or descend into a furball that the OP may be reluctant to open the door again.
Agreed. I ask a ton of questions and try to always respond with at least a “thanks for all your help” or a definite “that worked or didn’t work” if I try one of the suggestions. Seems only fair.
This is very true, David. I feel that a thread originator should ‘stick around’ for a number of reasons, chiefly to ensure the discussion stays focused, but certainly there should be an expression of gratitude to close it off, and it would be very helpful to know that one form of advice worked. It makes the thread complete and instructive for others.
I have belonged to a bunch of forums for at least ten years and this phenomenon is not unusual. Some people just want an answer and bail. Some need to be led by the hand and have no knowledge of community. Some use a PC as little as possible.
At a club I belong to, once in a while someone stops by and ask a question. We never see them again. Probably a “lone wolf” operator.
I belong to about twelve Yahoo DCC Groups that have many items in the Files and Photos sections members can upload to and many clueless never think of looking there. Many times answers are in those pages.
I find a lot of info here just by doing a search of the archives. Many do not know what archives even means.
This issue will not go away. We just have to live with it. You could put this issue in FAQ and many people never read FAQ pages anyway.
Of all the forums i belong to, this one is by far the best.
Personnally, I don’t pay too aweful much attention to what the OP says works in his instance. Many times there are several routes to take or the outcome is different depending on the situation which, in many instances, varies from person or project to project. What may work for one, may not for another. therefore I just read all the suggestions and decide for myself what may work for me if it even applies. THAT being said, I agree with the general concensus. The OP should at least acknowledge something worked or didn’t, or that it’s not something they are going to be doing right away. I don’t ask many questions because, quite frankly, most all my questions I have, have already been answerd. But I do read many posts and sometimes wonder how it turned out. Sometimes I do, but most times I don’t unless it’s specific enough to what I am or will be doing. That is for me the reader, but for the sake of the ones who answered and tried to help, at least give them the courtesy of knowing the outcome.
My self, I would like to know how things worked out. One of our members posted a question about his cars coming uncoupled at a bridge. Took the time to post some videos as well. Many ideas where posted and I had to ask if what was done and if the problem was fixed.
He did answer after I asked, but other wise I don’t think he would have.
All so would like to know what happened with the Athearn Challenger that was knocked off the bench by the cat?
It’s is like reading a book, then find the last few pages are missing.
Here is something that I’ve seen occasionally: I’ll post a new question and, when I check after an hour or two, a few people have responded with pretty good answers. I’ll post a reply to thank them and let them know it’s exactly the info I was looking for. Then I come back onto the forum later and see that even more people have responded in spite of my “issue resolved” reply. If I have time I’ll try to thank them too, but after awhile I stop looking at the thread.