OP Thread Etiquette

Nathan · October 16, 2012, 11:20 AM

This may be completely ridiculous to some, but I see a lot of threads where the OP posts some valid discussion point and never responds to suggestions or questions. I know this isn't a requirement, but friendly conversational etiquette says you would at least post a "thanks," "I'm done" or "keep the info coming."

Also, I would like to request OP's tell us what you did. This could be a huge help to the guy who does search for answers, finds your post. Reads all the good ideas, but then a final, "I changed mags and it never jammed again," would be great.

This may sound like complaining and could be rephrased better, but I'm just asking when people post to please plan to interact with the thread some.

**Mal H** · October 16, 2012, 01:59 PM

I couldn't agree with you more, Nathan. That is one of my pet peeves also. There are times when I want to simply lock the thread when the OP never comes back to respond or even say a simple "Thanks", but I don't because we get enough flack when we close threads that really need closing.

Actions such as you described are akin to someone walking up to a group of people, asking a question, and then walking away as the question is being answered. They never look back or respond to those answering the question they posed. I'm sure it's not really like that since members can view their threads without having to ever respond in it again, but the appearance of ignoring those who are trying to help is very real.

[soapbox mode off]

**Mike Irwin** · October 16, 2012, 07:06 PM

We need a goon squad.

Pahoo · October 16, 2012, 07:14 PM

Quite often I will ask the OP to "Please get back to us on how you resolved this problem" There are some really unique problems that I sure would like to get some follow-up on. I'm thankful for learning and sharing. There are truly some great posts in here. ...

Be Safe !!!

Creeper · October 16, 2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

friendly conversational etiquette

And many, perhaps most, are first time posters. You say "Hi, welcome, bla bla bla". You give 'em an answer or a perspective or whatever, as do others... and then, nothing.

I think, aside from a lack of search skills, that, at least with the new ones, they lack any forum social graces or have no interest in participation... other than obtaining answers to their questions. Who's to say?

Quote:

We need a goon squad.

Perhaps a rule about 1st timers doing something other than asking a question would be a prerequisite? I have no idea how that would work, short of mods and members policing the posts.

It doesn't drive me crazy, but it certainly is annoying.

C

jmortimer · October 16, 2012, 07:22 PM

I want to know the rest of the story.

Nathan · October 17, 2012, 02:08 AM

Thanks for the response. Not sure how to solve it, but I'm getting better at asking for OP response vs continuing the discussion without the OP.

johnwilliamson062 · November 4, 2012, 06:47 PM

I'm guilty.

Sometimes you read the response and have to mull it over. Then it gets swept under the rug for a bit.

Sometimes I am not content with the answer I get. Maybe I re-post the question on a more specialized forum or maybe I just wait until someone else replies.

Other times I forget to subscribe to the thread and it just drops off the radar.

I didn't know you guys took it so personally

Creeper · November 4, 2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

I didn't know you guys took it so personally

So you're the one! Kidding.

My problem is that I was a technical instructor for over 20 years. I want to share what I know... it gives me the warm fuzzies when the light bulb comes on.

If it's one of those short, vague, poorly considered questions... I tend to give a short, one paragraph or less, off the top of my head, quicky answer... I don't really care. It's kind of a throw-away deal.

If on the other hand I perceive a real need or desire to know and understand... and I spend a good amount of time and effort with identified personal opinion vs. reasonable objectivity, content, specific hard data, links, wording, sentence structure, proper grammar and so on... then yes, I get a bit miffed if the OP doesn't appreciate the time and care put into for my efforts to illuminate & educate.

Then I say "oh well... " and go to the next interesting thread.

C

October 16, 2012, 11:20 AM	#1
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,326	OP Thread Etiquette This may be completely ridiculous to some, but I see a lot of threads where the OP posts some valid discussion point and never responds to suggestions or questions. I know this isn't a requirement, but friendly conversational etiquette says you would at least post a "thanks," "I'm done" or "keep the info coming." Also, I would like to request OP's tell us what you did. This could be a huge help to the guy who does search for answers, finds your post. Reads all the good ideas, but then a final, "I changed mags and it never jammed again," would be great. This may sound like complaining and could be rephrased better, but I'm just asking when people post to please plan to interact with the thread some.

October 16, 2012, 07:06 PM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	We need a goon squad. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

October 16, 2012, 07:14 PM	#4
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Living on a two-way street !!! Quite often I will ask the OP to "Please get back to us on how you resolved this problem" There are some really unique problems that I sure would like to get some follow-up on. I'm thankful for learning and sharing. There are truly some great posts in here. ... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

October 16, 2012, 01:59 PM	#2
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,948	I couldn't agree with you more, Nathan. That is one of my pet peeves also. There are times when I want to simply lock the thread when the OP never comes back to respond or even say a simple "Thanks", but I don't because we get enough flack when we close threads that really need closing. Actions such as you described are akin to someone walking up to a group of people, asking a question, and then walking away as the question is being answered. They never look back or respond to those answering the question they posed. I'm sure it's not really like that since members can view their threads without having to ever respond in it again, but the appearance of ignoring those who are trying to help is very real. [soapbox mode off]

October 16, 2012, 07:22 PM	#6
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	I want to know the rest of the story.

October 17, 2012, 02:08 AM	#7
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,326	Thanks for the response. Not sure how to solve it, but I'm getting better at asking for OP response vs continuing the discussion without the OP.

November 4, 2012, 06:47 PM	#8
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	I'm guilty. Sometimes you read the response and have to mull it over. Then it gets swept under the rug for a bit. Sometimes I am not content with the answer I get. Maybe I re-post the question on a more specialized forum or maybe I just wait until someone else replies. Other times I forget to subscribe to the thread and it just drops off the radar. I didn't know you guys took it so personally