Ask a question, then feck off

[Quandary]

Bit of a rant, again, to start the year; but why do some people ask questions then never bother to give any feedback to those trying to answer.
Example; last week there was a question about resurrecting a bit of obsolescent equipment; a forumite responded, even giving a link to an earlier thread on the same subject and advising that I had posted at that time to say I had a handbook. I then posted to offer to copy and forward pages, the OP came back once briefly but it seemed apparent they possibly may not have identified the model. Went up to collect manuals and then posted advice while others posted pics. and links to help the OP identify the model involved. After that silence......
It is possible the Op got an answer elsewhere or decided not to bother but why not take less than a minute to say so. I am not naive enough to think that this will change but it is perhaps still worth suggesting to new members that this information exchange thing we go in for here is a two way process.

 

[BrianH]

I agree 100% - many is the time I have witnessed - and participated in - threads where the OP does not have the courtesy to thank or give feedback.

I'll extend the rant - so many cannot bring themselves to admit where they have been wrong and someone else has proved it to them - they just disappear, presumably licking their metaphorical wounds, without being graceful enough to acknowledge it.

 

[Reverend Ludd]

I'll jump in here as well.
Besides being rude it makes you feel you have wasted your time.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

+1.

 

[starfire]

I Agree.

Where you ask a specific question designed to clarify something, in order to help with a problem & this is just ignored in subsequent posts.

I don't mind attempting to help, where a problem is within my knowledge or experience (Otherwise I just keep quiet & learn)


Having been helped out a few times on the fora, I feel it is the least I can do.


Many times there is no feedback on how something was finally solved, which is frustrating, and, may help someone in the future searching for a solution.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Its just life with all the variances that it brings. Its also communication conducted over a relatively long time frame in addition to it being a media that makes the real human invisible. Both of these facts tend to dull down ones sensitivities to real world social niceties. Its best to treat these forums as a whimsical distraction if one is thin skinned. Participate at your own risk, springs to mind.

 

[reginaldon]

Bit of a rant, again, to start the year; but why do some people ask questions then never bother to give any feedback to those trying to answer.
Example; last week there was a question about resurrecting a bit of obsolescent equipment; a forumite responded, even giving a link to an earlier thread on the same subject and advising that I had posted at that time to say I had a handbook. I then posted to offer to copy and forward pages, the OP came back once briefly but it seemed apparent they possibly may not have identified the model. Went up to collect manuals and then posted advice while others posted pics. and links to help the OP identify the model involved. After that silence......
It is possible the Op got an answer elsewhere or decided not to bother but why not take less than a minute to say so. I am not naive enough to think that this will change but it is perhaps still worth suggesting to new members that this information exchange thing we go in for here is a two way process.

Frequently noted. Agreed 100%

 

[ghostlymoron]

I posted on the subject of feedback some time ago. For others with the same problem it would be useful to see what the succesful solution was. And for responders too.

 

[johnchristie]

i'm guilty of this
i'll try and put this right in future
call it a new years resolutiom

 

[Quandary]

Its just life with all the variances that it brings. Its also communication conducted over a relatively long time frame in addition to it being a media that makes the real human invisible. Both of these facts tend to dull down ones sensitivities to real world social niceties. Its best to treat these forums as a whimsical distraction if one is thin skinned. Participate at your own risk, springs to mind.

I do not think I am particularly thin skinned, I do get pleasure from getting involved in helping someone else solve their problem and I suppose that must be ego driven. For years I followed the forum happily without ever posting, then one day I needed help to solve a quandary. Since then I have been helped with other problems and as part of the dialogue try to go back and report on what I found to be a resolution. Surely it is just the normal conclusion to a conversation and requires no more effort than initiating it.
I do worry about what brings me here on wet days of which we have far too many this winter, I have even been found peeping in to the lounge, there must surely be better places to go?

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Every day there is stuff that is not dealt with satisfactorily in the real world where humans actually interact using their senses and most of us just get on with it. So why should this place be expected to function any different. In fact due to the anonymity that is offered to posters it is predisposed to be more dysfunctional than real life.

 

[Robin]

It has always been like this and I find it annoying also. Over time you notice who the consistent offenders are and I often don't bother to reply to them as a result and one them has recently been forcibly removed I believe, albeit for other reasons. Nobody likes talking to themselves (all the time at least!) and especially if you take time to put together a comprehensive reply, maybe with pictures or links included.

 

[Seajet]

I agree, it would be polite - and of interest to others - just to send a reply, hopefully saying if any advice given was useful; after all, it wasn't too much trouble to ask the initial question, was it !

 

[Quandary]

Every day there is stuff that is not dealt with satisfactorily in the real world where humans actually interact using their senses and most of us just get on with it. So why should this place be expected to function any different. In fact due to the anonymity that is offered to posters it is predisposed to be more dysfunctional than real life.

Oh I see. it is my inexperience of 'the real world' and of 'real life' that people like you live in that is the real problem. Nothing like being patronised by an expert.

 

[electrosys]

But there is another side to this ...

A couple of years ago on another forum - different subject matter entirely - I asked for opinions etc., and duly received same.

I then posted to say 'thanks, very useful' etc. - and was immediately hauled over the coals for 'wasting bandwidth'. I was told - very bluntly - that a post containing only 'thanks' added nothing to the general pool of knowledge or to any debate ... And my post was duly deleted by the mods.

Personally, I think it only common courtesy to extend thanks to anyone who has helped, or tried to help. But it would seem that not everyone, in this brave new technological world of ours, shares the same view.

 

[Wansworth]

What would be the protocol.I thank people for their answers about after the sixth response,should that be enough or should some further response be made if the replies keep coming.....thanks inadvance!

 

[Poignard]

What would be the protocol.I thank people for their answers about after the sixth response,should that be enough or should some further response be made if the replies keep coming.....thanks inadvance!

That's what I do. You can't keep track of old threads for ever.

I hope I have always thanked people for their advice but in case I have ever forgotten to - sorry and belated thanks!

 

[Robin]

What would be the protocol.I thank people for their answers about after the sixth response,should that be enough or should some further response be made if the replies keep coming.....thanks inadvance!

Simply do unto others as you would wish done unto you!

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Oh I see. it is my inexperience of 'the real world' and of 'real life' that people like you live in that is the real problem. Nothing like being patronised by an expert.

No its not that and not what I implied or directed at yourself, as you well know or could reasonably assume from my post.

If you want to make it personal then I can. Over the time I have noticed your posts I have clocked you as a slightly curmudgeonly sort of person, a professional, retired, who has something worthwhile to say and take notice of, but can be sensitive to criticism. It may be wide of the mark in real life, but its my perception of you. So it does not surprise me at all that you have made this complaint.

I can just see the articles sitting on your desk now, waiting to be scanned and sent to some forumite, who never gets back to you. You just can't stand the thought that you went to some effort and its not appreciated. Get over it Quandary, your mature enough to deal with it. Maybe the OP in your complaint can not respond for reason beyond your comprehension, as opposed to plain old ignorant rudeness.

The above two paragraphs are probably a load of baloney and I have written them only to show how pointless making assumptions to form a perception is. I believe you are a kind and helpful gent, from the small snippets of family life, your sailing stories and the assistance that you offer folks on the canal and on your yacht.

Jeez, I thought it was just the Scots who had a chip on their shoulder. Despite the above Quandary, I like your posts and actively look for them in the forums. In particular the humour which is missed by many.

Go on have a Happy New Year and 2012. We might all be dead by the end of the year.

 

[contessaman]

I heartily agree too. although sometimes I have posted then got sent away with work out of the blue and not had a chance to look for a while. I dont think this is what you are ranting about though is it? Certainly, if somebody has taken the time to try to assist one, then thanks and acknowlegement are in order.

All of this assumes we are dealing with a genuine person not a ponderous timewaster. Anyone who has sold or tried to sell a boat will know that there are plenty of those about with an interest or whatever you call it in boats! well, wasting the time of those who have them...