New boards and the changing nature of our conversations

[Sarah CB]

I really like TWTM boards. I appreciate the intelligence, the insight, and the experience of the participants. I enjoy the discussions, the debates, and the online diagnosis of ailments and rashes :)

I'm also part of a parenting messageboard where the level of discussion is lacking. Often posts will revolve around a single questions posted at random, "Do you think teens should wear make-up?" and the answers will be one word, "NO!", or "Yes!", accompanied by a suitable emoticon.

When someone does get up the gumption to actually post a thought out opinion of something the thread stops (if it's a controversial opinion) or every member of the boards feels compelled to post, "I agree!", or "Me, too!".

One thing I really appreciated about TWTM boards was that there were very few, "I agree!!!" posts. Instead, if someone agreed they would add to the discussion by sharing why they agreed or how or what their personal experience was. But, however it was done it was a contribution to the discussion rather than a virtually empty post.

I thought that our rules for posting included ensuring that our posts were contributing to the discussions and I think that probably had something to do with bandwidth. Has that rule left? Did I imagine it to begin with?

I'm noticing with the new boards that there is a HUGE increase in one word or even no words with just an emoticon posts. What happened to the thoughtful responses? Is the increase due to the fact that our "rank" is based on the sheer number of posts we're able to author? If not, then why the sudden onslaught of these kinds of posts when they occurred so seldomly on our last board?

I know that not every one word post is a waste of space. Sometimes we need an, "I agree", for clarification of an earlier post.

I really liked the other poster's suggestion of sending a "thank-you" with rep points or a PM instead of taking up a post with only the words, "thank-you".

Sarah

[Tammy]

You are probably talking about me.... But....when I just post an 'I agree'....it is because I have nothing else to add. Someone has already said what I was going to say.....and I wouldn't want to bore people with the same story.

I haven't really noticed more "I agree"....probably because I do it so much....I don't think twice about it, LOL!

Tammy
P.S. Sometimes I actually wait for someone to post my thoughts....then just post my usual 'I agree'......LOL.

[Doran]

I don't find that there is any greater increase in the number of ITA/I agree posts on these new boards. I think back to how many posts appeared in the old format that simply offered a single line of reply with a "NT" to follow. At times, we could "converse" without even needing to open the thread at all (which, to be honest, was something I really liked about that format :)). If there is a specific topic (yours or another's) that you'd like to see better elaborated, I see no reason not to just ask. Something like, "Hey, Jonquil, would you mind telling me more about why you agree on that? It might really help me sort out what to do here."

Anyway, I'm not sure that helps, but that's my perception. :D

Doran


p.s. And, none of you wise gals go and post an :iagree: after this! ;);)

[Plaid Dad]

I'm not sure there has been an increase. I remember many threads on the old boards that consisted of little more than a few words of agreement in the subject line and "nt." The difference was that you could take those in at a glance.

The easy-access emoticons may add to this tendency a bit, but I still think the overall tone of the boards is high enough that a few cheerful words of agreement or encouragement don't bring it down. YMMV, of course.

ETA: Great minds think alike! Doran and I must have been typing away at the same time!

[chiguirre]

I think part of this is that emoticons are fun to play with :willy_nilly:! It's also that in the old format a quick line with NT didn't take much space and you didn't have to scroll through them so I tended to notice them less.

I doubt you could inhibit many of us from posting our opinions, so the WTM boards are probably safe from descending into a one word answer and emoticon board. I think the :lurk5: enjoyability of the boards is safe. (I thought I'd never find a use for that popcorn smiley!)

[Doran]

ETA: Great minds think alike! Doran and I must have been typing away at the same time!


:iagree: (Sorry, Sarah. Couldn't resist. Leave it to me to break my own rule!)

[JudoMom]

If I agree with someone, I don't see why I should feel badly about pointing that out. If someone has already written what I would say, and I have nothing else to add, why should I retype everything instead of just saying that I agree? If someone asks a question looking for feedback, why is an "I agree" post any less legitimate than the original post? It still gives my opinion. And it's no different than might occur in a normal face-to-face conversation:

Susie: "Don't you think your kids are missing out on a lot by not going to school?"
Bambi: "[insert a good, thoughtful answer, that I completely agree with]".
Susie: "What do you think, JudoMom?"
JudoMom: "I agree with Bambi."

I guess I just don't understand the complaint.

[Denise in IN]

I don't find that there is any greater increase in the number of ITA/I agree posts on these new boards. I think back to how many posts appeared in the old format that simply offered a single line of reply with a "NT" to follow.


What she said! :D

I felt like there were a lot of short answers on the old board because of the format. I think this format actually lends itself to more conversation, because people are more likely to write a few sentences than just enough to fit in the subject line.

[Diana in OR]

One thing I've noticed (and it *bugs* me), is that when I open messages in my email to my subscribed threads, the subject line doesn't show up. That means that if someone has included vital information in the subject line, I don't see it. I think that makes a difference. That's why I now rarely put a subject line (unless I'm starting a thread). If I do put a subject line, I repeat in in the text.

[Frontier Mom]

Thanks, I didn't know that. In fact, sometimes just with regular email I don't look at the subject line for important info for some reason.

I do tend to put in short answers at times but lengthy ones at others. Depends on how many plates I am juggling at the moment and/or if the questions warrants more explanation.

I just think looking at this format and the old, it is hard to judge the length of the replies.

[PariSarah]

In fact, my feeling has been that there's less of that. It was so easy on the old boards to just post "I agree. nt." and be done with it.

With this format, I'm much less likely to post when I agree with something, or find it particularly well said. If I do anything at all, it's usually just to rep the message and leave my I-agrees and well-saids in the rep message. I tend actually to post a short "I agree" or "No, I don't think so" message only when 1) I feel like I need to respond because I've already participated in the thread, 2) the poster seems to expect a response from me, or 3) I feel like a well-written sentence or two from me would perfect an already wise and brilliant argument/explanation/description ;).

[Janet in WA]

I don't find that there is any greater increase in the number of ITA/I agree posts on these new boards. I agree. :) It has been my perception that there are fewer "I agree's" on these new boards than on the old ones.

[Sarah CB]

Well, maybe it is just me, then. I admit that the change in boards makes the one word posts more visible. The people who suggested that I may not have really noticed them because I could just go to the part of the thread where the action was are probably right.

And Tammy, I'm sorry and I hope I didn't hurt your feelings. I really enjoy reading your posts when you do write a reply.

Sarah

[*anj*]

I think that the emoticon replies usually take place in the more lighthearted threads (ex. The Thread Killer) because they just work well.
And as others said, whereas in the old format people would type "LOL!" now they'll just stick something like this in: :lol:

I think the emoticons actually liven things up, although I know that they bug some people.

And no, I don't think that most people are doing emoticon posts just to increase their total number of posts. I don't think there's any kind of competition in that regard at all. I just think that people are having fun with the new bells and whistles.

[Mrs Mungo]

I think that the emoticon replies usually take place in the more lighthearted threads (ex. The Thread Killer) because they just work well.
And as others said, whereas in the old format people would type "LOL!" now they'll just stick something like this in: :lol:

I think the emoticons actually liven things up, although I know that they bug some people.

And no, I don't think that most people are doing emoticon posts just to increase their total number of posts. I don't think there's any kind of competition in that regard at all. I just think that people are having fun with the new bells and whistles.

I agree. I don't think people are doing it in order to "post-pad." I think people are more likely to put an emoticon than a single word in the title and that makes it more obvious or maybe makes the post seem more frivolous.

[cricket1178]

In fact, my feeling has been that there's less of that. It was so easy on the old boards to just post "I agree. nt." and be done with it.

With this format, I'm much less likely to post when I agree with something, or find it particularly well said. If I do anything at all, it's usually just to rep the message and leave my I-agrees and well-saids in the rep message. I tend actually to post a short "I agree" or "No, I don't think so" message only when 1) I feel like I need to respond because I've already participated in the thread, 2) the poster seems to expect a response from me, or 3) I feel like a well-written sentence or two from me would perfect an already wise and brilliant argument/explanation/description ;).

This is exactly what I would have written! In light of this post I decided not to use the :iagree: emoticon. I did leave you positive rep. points. :D

[Karin]

One thing I've noticed (and it *bugs* me), is that when I open messages in my email to my subscribed threads, the subject line doesn't show up. That means that if someone has included vital information in the subject line, I don't see it. I think that makes a difference. That's why I now rarely put a subject line (unless I'm starting a thread). If I do put a subject line, I repeat in in the text.

I don't get emails for threads I subscribe to. Instead, when I log on, I just go to the Control Panel and see which threads have new posts. Keeps my mailbox emptier since I have it set to subscribe to every thread I post in so I don't have to go looking for them again and so I don't post as many "I agree's;)" Not that I'm opposed to all "I agree's" but if 14 people were to do this to one post, I'd think it was overkill.:D

[Audrey]

See, I think of it the opposite way. I remember tons and tons of one liner posts on the old format... endless ITA! ITA! and other one word posts. Here, I feel like I'm reading a lot more "meat" in the posts.

Different perceptions, eh?

[kdeno]

or of posting very short posts. I am trying not to spend too much time on the boards. I generally will post an I agree with a line post just for support :-)
Generally, I agree with the lone dissenter. I will try to be more thoughtful and many people on this board have challenged my thoughts, beliefs and feeling.

Kari:bigear:

[Whisperlily]

One thing I've noticed (and it *bugs* me), is that when I open messages in my email to my subscribed threads, the subject line doesn't show up. That means that if someone has included vital information in the subject line, I don't see it. I think that makes a difference. That's why I now rarely put a subject line (unless I'm starting a thread). If I do put a subject line, I repeat in in the text.

I don't notice subject lines in *any* format, except the OP.

Sometimes I read through confusing posts several times before realizing there's info in the subject line. ;)

[pixelroper]

As being new to posting with any frequency, I have been trying to make my posts concise. It has been an interesting exercise as being brief seems to affect the tone, which in turn makes me stick one of these :) in which I personally find more annoying than not. I'm getting used to them. It seems they arose out of necessity.

In the old board I remember more one liners on the general board.

[mommaduck]

I recently posted a "Thank you" to someone that answered a query of mine. I thought, even with giving rep points, something I found out about by accident, that it would be rude not to thank her in the thread. Was not aware it was considered "wasted space".

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

I recently posted a "Thank you" to someone that answered a query of mine. I thought, even with giving rep points, something I found out about by accident, that it would be rude not to thank her in the thread. Was not aware it was considered "wasted space".

I don't understand what you mean. It's fine to answer any old way you want, IMO. PM, email, rep box, in the thread. No "thank you" could ever be wasted space.

And if someone sent you a message telling you that, well... that's just silly.

IMO. :glare:

[mommaduck]

From the first post:
or a PM instead of taking up a post with only the words, "thank-you".

Perhaps I misunderstood...but with the rest of the OP and then this tossed in there, I thought perhaps it was a goof on my part to do so.