Community Forums

J Birder · 12-02-2016, 07:21 AM

I have to rant. Why do some people insist on using subject lines that don't tell us anything about of what the post is about.

A couple of recent examples:

"Advice Please" OK, this person needs advice, but advice about what? Why should I have to open the post and read it, only to find out that I know nothing useful about the subject, and have no advice to give.

"Is It True?" I doesn't give a clue about what "It" is. Only after opening the post did I discover that I have no idea as to whether or not "It" is true.

If those subject lines had been left blank, they would have been more useful. At least, I wouldn't have wasted the time to open and read them.

Joel

**CLIFFTALL** · 12-02-2016, 07:26 AM

Hard to disagree with you , so I won't. It's up to you whether you want to open these or not. It's the OP's loss if they didn't get you to open and respond with some assistance. Hopefully those members that need a reminder about this will see this.
Cliff

69Stang · 12-02-2016, 07:35 AM

I have to agree! Subject lines should give a clue to what the thread is about.

wildtoad · 12-02-2016, 07:58 AM

Totally agree.

lass · 12-02-2016, 08:19 AM

How about the OP who posts a problem, receives multiple solutions, and yet never returns to the thread.

t55watson · 12-02-2016, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Birder

I have to rant. Why do some people insist on using subject lines that don't tell us anything about of what the post is about.

A couple of recent examples:

"Advice Please" OK, this person needs advice, but advice about what? Why should I have to open the post and read it, only to find out that I know nothing useful about the subject, and have no advice to give.

"Is It True?" I doesn't give a clue about what "It" is. Only after opening the post did I discover that I have no idea as to whether or not "It" is true.

If those subject lines had been left blank, they would have been more useful. At least, I wouldn't have wasted the time to open and read them.

Joel

There now. Feel better?

I do agree with you.

**NLOVNIT** · 12-02-2016, 12:58 PM

Post/thread titles containing at least something specific about what you're needing help with is best. Then our members know you want assistance & you'll get answers (good or bad) much faster. However, it's up to the OP to decide what to put in a title.

If our staff happens to notice a post/thread title is vague, we often edit it to provide more info. A lot of what we do is remove user names from, clarify, correct typos, add prefixes & spell out abbreviations in titles. This especially helps search engines direct people here who are randomly Google-ing/searching the internet for help with an RV issue. But we don't/can't read every post/thread here so, unfortunately, a lot of them can fall through the cracks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lass

How about the OP who posts a problem, receives multiple solutions, and yet never returns to the thread.

This has been posted about many times. While it would be courteous for the OP to return to their help me thread(s) & post if the suggestions helped or not; again, it's up to the OP to decide if that's necessary to them. Some may use the Thanks button & only respond to the member of a particularly helpful post. That's perfectly acceptable & much appreciated.

Hopefully this thread will serve to educate current & new members on some nuances that will help everyone.

Lori-

IC2 · 12-02-2016, 06:46 PM

The first, little info on the subject line will seldom get more then a passing thought and a "Nope, there are too many others that interest me"

The second is a big gripe here as well as other forums. I had occasion here to post something a while back. A member asked about something specific that required a partial disassembly of an item and maybe 20 minutes of my time. Not a big deal as far as time and effort. I don't need the thanks button clicked - just an acknowledgement that the person at least cared enough that I got him the info. Yes, that person has since posted on other threads.

tkcas01 · 12-02-2016, 06:56 PM

I don't click them, or ALL CAPS either.

tkcas01 · 12-02-2016, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lass

How about the OP who posts a problem, receives multiple solutions, and yet never returns to the thread.

Let us know how that turns out...

dexters · 12-02-2016, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Birder

I have to rant. Why do some people insist on using subject lines that don't tell us anything about of what the post is about.

Joel

You don't give you age, so I'm guessing you a young person. There are many reasons some good some not so good.

Some ... to get your attention to look at the post

Some ... just don't know better (not smart)

Here is the thing ... this is the internet, it isn't going to change and you are not going to change it. It changes you. You have to learn to live with it.

J Birder · 12-02-2016, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dexters

You don't give you age, so I'm guessing you a young person. There are many reasons some good some not so good.

Some ... to get your attention to look at the post

Some ... just don't know better (not smart)

Here is the thing ... this is the internet, it isn't going to change and you are not going to change it. It changes you. You have to learn to live with it.

Wrong guess. I'm 75.

I know I can' make major changes, but together, Perhaps, if we educated just a few, that will be a small improvement.

there are a few RV related subjects where I have a great deal of expertise. There are a lot more subjects where I know just slightly more than nothing. When a question arises where I do know something, I try to be helpful.

However, I have only so much time available. When I open and read a dozen posts, only to discover that they all deal with subjects about which I am ignorant, then somebody else will do without the help that i didn't have the time to offer. on a subject where i know a great deal.

Joel

Old Radios · 12-02-2016, 07:27 PM

On the plus side I can hover the cursor over the title and the OP's opening post will appear so I can quickly read it and decide to click on it or not. I wish all forums allowed that. Saves a lot of time when browsing the titles.

dexters · 12-02-2016, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Birder

Wrong guess. I'm 75.

I know I can' make major changes, but together, Perhaps, if we educated just a few, that will be a small improvement.

there are a few RV related subjects where I have a great deal of expertise. There are a lot more subjects where I know just slightly more than nothing. When a question arises where I do know something, I try to be helpful.

However, I have only so much time available. When I open and read a dozen posts, only to discover that they all deal with subjects about which I am ignorant, then somebody else will do without the help that i didn't have the time to offer. on a subject where i know a great deal.

Joel