The Key to a Perfect thread or post

[banjo_gun_snake_wheels]

If you guys are like me, you probably belong to a couple different forums. Conversation in forums is not like that of verbal conversation. There are a different set of rules. Getting the most out of you post or thread is often tricky for people that are new to forums.

I'd like to make this thread a place where we can list out some of the things to help make a post or thread more successful.

rule #1. Don't reply to the first person that posts in your thread unless they completely answer your question. Letting a few people reply first can open up new lines of conversation and be much more informative. A positive and thankful reply to the first person that posts in your thread can often deter other people from posting.

What are some things that you think can make or break a post?

[James_Potter]

Make up a good title. A thread called "help me plz" doesn't tell us if we'll be able to help the OP, but with a title like "my KH20 cranks keep coming loose and I don't know why" we know his or her problem already and if we'll be able to help.

[harper]

If you're thinking about posting a poll, don't.

[dudewithasock]

If your name is dan da man and you're thinking about posting, don't.

Exactly.

[gkmac]

When responding to a question, don't just put "Yes" or "No". Explain your reasons and experiences behind your answer.

If you agree with someone, don't just put "+1" or "I agree". Explain your reasons and experiences behind your agreement.If you're thinking about posting a poll, don't....and explain your reasons about that please.

[monkeyman]

The key to a perfect thread/post? Make someone think. If it's not a (good, well thought out) question, or if it doesn't bring that "aha" humor moment, or if it's not insightful in some way, don't post it.

[banjo_gun_snake_wheels]

You know what really drives me crazy? when people make a big, long post and you have no idea what they are asking/saying.

Clearly define your question or opinion.

[benjaug]

If you guys are like me, you probably belong to a couple different forums. Conversation in forums is not like that of verbal conversation. There are a different set of rules. Getting the most out of you post or thread is often tricky for people that are new to forums.

I'd like to make this thread a place where we can list out some of the things to help make a post or thread more successful.

rule #1. Don't reply to the first person that posts in your thread unless they completely answer your question. Letting a few people reply first can open up new lines of conversation and be much more informative. A positive and thankful reply to the first person that posts in your thread can often deter other people from posting.

What are some things that you think can make or break a post?


You know what really drives me crazy? when people make a big, long post and you have no idea what they are asking/saying.

Clearly define your question or opinion.


Hmm... ;)

[dan de man]

Exactly.
ironicly i was going to post a thread when i reads this

[benjaug]

ironicly i was going to post a thread when i reads this

Not with that grammar, I hope!

[banjo_gun_snake_wheels]

Hmm... ;)

Even though my original post was wordy, the last sentence is the main question.

[benjaug]

Haha, I was just playing around.... I get what you meant, though.

[spazdude222]

I think you kill any thread with one bad post. A bad post, in my opinion, is one that doesn't have very much to do about anything, or worse, strays from the topic at hand. It may not deter posting, but I'd still consider it thread-death when a peson posts a comment that causes a complete shift in subject. For example, putting a prejudiced comment in a thread that in some way explores diversity.

[dudewithasock]

I think you kill any thread with one bad post. A bad post, in my opinion, is one that doesn't have very much to do about anything, or worse, strays from the topic at hand. It may not deter posting, but I'd still consider it thread-death when a peson posts a comment that causes a complete shift in subject. For example, putting a prejudiced comment in a thread that in some way explores diversity.

That's really the only rule I think should always be followed. Alex, I really don't see the need to make every post invoke an "aha" or variation thereof.

[harper]

....and explain your reasons about that please.

I have (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53755) to a certain extent (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53876) and explained my take on polls and their analyses. My contention is still that Raphael posted the only true, valid, and analysed poll on RSU. (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40340)

[UniBrier]

Good posts are humorous, helpful, informative, and/or affirmative.

Edit: And spelled correctly, I had two spelling errors in one sentence that I had to fix.

[monkeyman]

That's really the only rule I think should always be followed. Alex, I really don't see the need to make every post invoke an "aha" or variation thereof.

I'm not saying it should be eureka-worthy, it should just contribute something to the discussion. If it's actually contributing, it should be insightful or funny. I can't really see any other way to put it.

[dudewithasock]

Well then we just have different definitions of "contributing"...I don't mind +1's.

[mawesome]

I don't mind +1's.

I do. I hate seeing a thread that I've been reading at the top of a page and thinking "oh good, somebody else has something informative to say on this particular subject" just to open it and be slapped in the face with a "+1" or "I agree".

I wouldn't mind it if someone were to post "+1, because..." and then go on to explain why they agree or (for -1) disagree.

The best posts are the ones that are thought out, effectively put a point across and aren't too long. One post that's a 400 word essay by itself is often enough for me to lose interest in the whole thread because it takes too long to read.

-Keven

[wickedbob]

I do. I hate seeing a thread that I've been reading at the top of a page and thinking "oh good, somebody else has something informative to say on this particular subject" just to open it and be slapped in the face with a "+1" or "I agree".

I wouldn't mind it if someone were to post "+1, because..." and then go on to explain why they agree or (for -1) disagree.

The best posts are the ones that are thought out, effectively put a point across and aren't too long. One post that's a 400 word essay by itself is often enough for me to lose interest in the whole thread because it takes too long to read.

-Keven

+1:p

[mawesome]

Alright, that's it Bob. I hope you've got good life insurance or an underground bunker because I'm hunting you down.

[CKCrowe]

And spelled correctly, I had two spelling errors in one sentence that I had to fix.
People who correct your grammer or letters, as long as you get what they are talking about you are fine. The word good is used incorrectly it should state well ect.
Unless its(it's/it is:mad: ) mad nonesence that noone can make out.

[Goats_On_Unicycles]

People who correct your grammer or letters, as long as you get what they are talking about you are fine. The word good is used incorrectly it should state well ect.
Unless its(it's/it is:mad: ) mad nonesence that noone can make out.
Heh, I didn't really understand that... and I even turned off my music and said it out loud. If someone wants to correct their spelling, let them do so. I don't see a problem...

And "grammer" is actually grammar. :)

[mawesome]

I dislike people who constantly correct grammar and spelling errors. As long as the post makes sense and people understand what you mean there should not be an issue.

Example: The word "good" should not be used in that sentence and should be replaced with the word "well" as it is the correct term.

Unless the post makes no sense and nobody can understand what the person is trying to say, there should be no reason to correct trivial errors.
Fixed.


There you go Goats.

[spazdude222]

I do. I hate seeing a thread that I've been reading at the top of a page and thinking "oh good, somebody else has something informative to say on this particular subject" just to open it and be slapped in the face with a "+1" or "I agree".

I wouldn't mind it if someone were to post "+1, because..." and then go on to explain why they agree or (for -1) disagree.

The best posts are the ones that are thought out, effectively put a point across and aren't too long. One post that's a 400 word essay by itself is often enough for me to lose interest in the whole thread because it takes too long to read.

-Keven+1...because reading other peoples opinions is hard enough when it's short.

[Danni]

I have (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53755) to a certain extent (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53876) and explained my take on polls and their analyses. My contention is still that Raphael posted the only true, valid, and analysed poll on RSU. (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40340)

That is such a load of shit:) . It's like the communist elections in china. You can vote for the communist party or the communist party.
Your poll is so biased it is uninformative. Where is the option, "I think polls are very informative?"

HERE is a good example. (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54347)

[Goats_On_Unicycles]

That is such a load of shit:) . It's like the communist elections in china. You can vote for the communist party or the communist party.
Your poll is so biased it is uninformative. Where is the option, "I think polls are very informative?"

HERE is a good example. (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54347)
Well... you had that one eleven foot gap question which some people will most likely vote for, making the poll inaccurate.

Twas better then Gregs though. ;)

[gkmac]

The "anti-poll" campaigns that harper linked to above were spearheaded during a time when some rather silly polls were posted. Unfortunately he took it to mean that all polls were useless and annoying and his mind has been tainted ever since.

If you look at those links it seems that only harper is against polls altogether, so the other 15,310 members of unicyclist.com will push him well into the minority.

But does he really hate polls? Also remember that harper was once a moderator, with the post to lock and delete threads. Yet he did absolutely nothing about those poll posts, even the genuinely silly ones that occured during that time.

Besides, can we really trust the preachings of a man who does things like this (http://www.unicyclist.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=110768)?:eek:

[harper]

Unfortunately he took it to mean that all polls were useless and annoying and his mind has been tainted ever since.


My mind, or what there is of it, was tainted well before that era.

If you look at those links it seems that only harper is against polls altogether, so the other 15,310 members of unicyclist.com will push him well into the minority.


Albeit the minority of correct thinking individuals.

But does he really hate polls? Also remember that harper was once a moderator, with the post to lock and delete threads. Yet he did absolutely nothing about those poll posts, even the genuinely silly ones that occured during that time.


That's the kind of guy I am. Gilby only gave me permission to delete spam but that's beside the point. Have you ever noticed that poll rhymes with troll?

Besides, can we really trust the preachings of a man who does things like this (http://www.unicyclist.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=110768)?

Yes, we can.

[dudewithasock]

Besides, can we really trust the preachings of a man who does things like this (http://www.unicyclist.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=110768)?:eek:

That's probably the most mature thing he's done.

[Hazmat]

Good posts are humorous, helpful, informative, and/or affirmative.

Edit: And spelled correctly, I had two spelling errors in one sentence that I had to fix.
I think it's also the kind people on this forum who help newbies or veterans with problems.


Also by using their skills/talents as an advantage towards helping others. :D :D