I’ve been having some thoughts lately about replies on this and other forums. Let me say, that it doesn’t upset me or make me mad or anything like that but it does pose a question sometimes. Have any of you posted a reply to someones question, with the hopes of helping them and never see a response to it from the person asking the question? I don’t want a “thank you” necessarily, but when there is no response it makes me wonder if we have actually helped or made them mad. Has anyone else had these feelings besides myself or am I out of line here?
I think this is a very interesting subject, and you aren’t out of line at all.
I have had these thoughts many times, and that always leaves me wondering if the person ever saw the response.
Other times I have put in a response after the original poster has checked back, in hopes that they or someone else will find my comments helpful.
There are times however when you do receive a thank you or other acknoledgement from that person, and that always feels nice.[8D]
[#ditto]
IF i posted a topic I like to follow all responses and get back to people that responded
but the "forum police " is lashing out at people with short posts like "thank you all "
maybe that is why some people do not react with a short cordial thanks
Yep, big-boy, you got my meaning just right. I do find a lot of things to help me from other responders and try to thank them even though I wasn’t the one with the question. I think in all honesty that even a negative response would at least let one know you saw it. Anyhow thanks, I know I’m not alone here and thanks to others with later responses.
I trip around a lot and notice that deficiency here.
I have lost count of posts I’ve made to questions, and then no reply.
While a “thank you” is always nice to see, I’ve been doing this long enough to not expect one every time. It’s the nature of forums. But like Big Boy said, there are others who may read it that might be helped too.
So keep on posting and helping out! The original poster may not see it, but there are many other “lurkers” that will.
I try & say “Thanks for the help” before & after any question I ask.
It’s only common courtesy.
But I have seen people not reply to others responses.
Gordon
Several months back “Those who’s names that shall not be named” were quite adement about the fact that Thank you and atta boy’s were annoying and a means to get stars, something akin to the “The thread who’s name, which shall not be named”. Anyway these nameless types were adement that thank you and Atta Boy’s took up valuable space and made reading threads labourious. I would like to say that I am thank ful that my Mom took the time to teach me the words Please, pardon me and thank you and for those who I haven’t thanked
Thank You
Regards Fergie
What about a corollary to that, when some else responds to the topic and your reply would have been very similar to another reply? For example, my reply would have been very much the same as Mabruce. I’m happy to offer the information but don’t always expect a reply. If I get one, that’s great.
Tom
I know what you are saying. I TRY(sometimes I forget where I’ve been[:D]) to reply with a thanks for anyone posting helpful[:)] replies, as I would hope anyone with a little decency would!!
BTW Good Post Erie D!
I usually put a “thanks in advance” on my posts.
Thanks to all for your positive responses here. I’m not a star counter and will always put courtesy above all else. Thanks again all. [:D][:D]
You wouldn’t be referring to DOS now would you? I’ve said too much, and after all, the “forum cops” don’t need no stinking badges!!! Gotta run, trying to stay a step ahead of the forum 5-0, and thanks y’all!!! Common courtesy these days seems to be “uncommon”, or at least, unpopular with some. “Wait, no, I have helped with some of my posts, I don’t care about stars, where are you taking me? Help, help, ARGHHH!!!”
Tom,
I agree that sometimes posts seem like duplicate information. I taught college level computer networking courses for 6 years. Every person processes information a bit differently. Have you ever explained something to someone and they just didn’t understand what it was that you were trying to tell them so you tried explaining it again a bit differently. Then sometimes even a third time to make sure that person really understands your point. When a person is learning a new subject it is often times good for that person to have it explained in more than way.
BTW Tom you have provided a lot of good information on this forum. Although I may not be the question asker I do enjoy reading your responses. Keep your inputs coming…
Erie,
Yes, I agree with you. It is always nice to be recognized and get a pat on the back I think we all like that warm fuzzy feeling. I too sometimes wonder if the info I pass along was helpful to the question asker or some other reader when there is no positive response. I try to thank a poster for information he/she has posted even if I am not the original question asker when the info is of value to me.
Even with a negative response at least I know that someone read what I posted. [:D]
I remember one time reading a post with several responses (I think there were 32) when I finished reading all the inputs I found most of them were negitive arguments about other posters points of view. When I subtracted the negative responses the original question had only 7 responses.
Stars…one…two…do I care?Idon’t and never will care about getting more…OK,I admit,it’s going to be a nice feeling when the third one shows up.When?I don’t know and this I don’t care at all.The stars outline the participation level of members to this forum and that’s fine with me,but they’ll never be a goal for me.
I only post when I have a question to ask or when I feel I could be of help,not only to the member who posted,hopefully.I’ve learned a lot from this forum and intend to keep doing it,and also share what I’ve learned so far.But i’ll never post just for the sake of my star count.I don’t expect thanks either but like it’s been said before,it adds a nice touch to the forum.
Coming back with the answer to the original question(or technical problem or whatever),if not already answered in the posts and found elsewhere along with a “thanks” certainly is a great way to increase the flow of information.I also like the “thanks in advance” formula as it doesn’t increase topic sizes and still shows courtesy and appreciation.
I just had that thought earlier today. I wasn’t thinking in terms of a Thank You, but just curious to find out what happened after I’ve tried to help someone specifically. I usually advise them in some cases to email off Forum so as not to clog things up too much. That’s not the perfect solution either as sometimes I get an email from out of the blue and I don’t recognize the person or know what they’re talking about without enough details to give me a clue.
If you don’t get some sort of response, you wonder how serious the questioner was in the first place. Unless it’s a very specific question, there should usually be a bit of follow up.
I do feel for those who ask a question that I can’t answer, and apparently no one else can either.
[:D]
Oh Ya, The Late, The Great,DOS, What a great thread that was. LETS HAVE ANOTHER ONE!!![:D][:D][:D][:D]Does this ominous thought, **** off the nameless few???[}:)][}:)][:D][:D]Good…because fun is where you find it…[8D][8D][8D][(-D][(-D][(-D]
Snake,
Thank you for the kind words. I teach on a daily basis. I’m the lone techie in a manufacturing facility. I can’t begin to count the number of one on one sessions I’ve had with employees, trying to translate technical jargon into layman’s language. I enjoy every minute of it. Each person has his or her own skill level and my goal before I retire (less than 4 years!) is to try to raise the skill level of each person in the factory who asks for my help. When I do retire (to somewhere with much milder winters) I may try teaching Intro to computers type courses at the local college (as long as it doesn’t interfere with the trains!)
Thanks again.
Tom