Rant: Vanishing Original Posters on the Forum

[swsig]

The Vanishing Original Poster situation is not one that happens very often on the Forum, but it is one I find somewhat annoying, thus the rant. Here is the issue:

On three occasions in the last few weeks, I have responded to a thread where the original poster (the OP) asked for information on a topic I knew something about. Other Forum members also responded to these threads, providing useful and sometimes detailed answers to the OPs' questions. In each of these cases, the OP never posted again. What's up with that? At the very least, the OPs could have posted a "Thanks, guys." If the OPs are too time constrained or lazy to reply to those who are trying to help them, it's easy to hit the "Like" button once and awhile to show some appreciation. The sad thing is that the questions and the answers in these threads were good ones and could have benefited other readers, but because the OPs were too indifferent to reply, respondents lost interest, and the threads began the inevitable slide into zombieland. Some of the best and most informative threads are those where there is a lively discussion between the OP and the respondents, and between the respondents themselves. All of this gets short-circuited when the OP vanishes.

There is one thing in common among these three vanishing OPs. They're all infrequent posters. Maybe they haven't figured out that OP vanishing acts are both annoying and potential thread killers. Bottom line is, if you're an OP who's gotten help from your fellow Forum members, it's good to show some appreciation for your colleagues, and some interest in your own thread.

Whew, I feel better now.

 

[NYlakesider]

The Vanishing Original Poster situation is not one that happens very often on the Forum, but it is one I find somewhat annoying, thus the rant. Here is the issue:

On three occasions in the last few weeks, I have responded to a thread where the original poster (the OP) asked for information on a topic I knew something about. Other Forum members also responded to these threads, providing useful and sometimes detailed answers to the OPs' questions. In each of these cases, the OP never posted again. What's up with that? At the very least, the OPs could have posted a "Thanks, guys." If the OPs are too time constrained or lazy to reply to those who are trying to help them, it's easy to hit the "Like" button once and awhile to show some appreciation. The sad thing is that the questions and the answers in these threads were good ones and could have benefited other readers, but because the OPs were too indifferent to reply, respondents lost interest, and the threads began the inevitable slide into zombieland. Some of the best and most informative threads are those where there is a lively discussion between the OP and the respondents, and between the respondents themselves. All of this gets short-circuited when the OP vanishes.

There is one thing in common among these three vanishing OPs. They're all infrequent posters. Maybe they haven't figured out that OP vanishing acts are both annoying and potential thread killers. Bottom line is, if you're an OP who's gotten help from your fellow Forum members, it's good to show some appreciation for your colleagues, and some interest in your own thread.

Whew, I feel better now.

I'm a member of a few car forums, and that is a common MO on their also. Some repliers give out very good advice and C&P of a lot of printed material. Of course other people will get helped but many times thats the last you see of the OP.

You can check and find out he has been back on line but too indifferent to spend a couple seconds to say thanks!

 

[KalamazooKid]

You said it - "infrequent posters" who may not have the level of interest many of us do.

 

[D Brown]

I have seen the behavior you're referring to swsig. I don't know of a good solution; I guess it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round?

 

[03hemi]

I was going to post something, but lost interest and moved on.

 

[Tom S.]

On other forums, we've referred to them as 'hit and run'. Then you have the guys that dig up a zombie thread to post an answer from a question asked 4 years ago, or dig it up so they can ask a question that's somewhat related.

 

[yeti]

I attribute it to rampant ADHD. Bad manners too, but mostly ADHD. Post the same question on numerous forums and ignore all the responses when distracted by anything.

OH look a squirrel!

 

[Weimar]

New & sometimes old posters will have little to no manners

On the luger forum, I have written a couple of well thought out and researched postings, with pictures and info. After a few days, no comments, I delete it. Sounds petty, but I figure if folks aren't interested, then why leave it

oh, I got in trouble for using a smilie face at work. #$$%^ me....

 

[armorer951]

I agree. Especially frustrating when repair expertise is sought by the OP via S&W Customer Service and no final report is given concerning....... the actual, correct diagnosis of the problem, what was done by the factory to repair the issue, customer evaluation and actual cost, if any, of the diagnosis and repair, and whether or not the repair provided an acceptable resolution to the problem or malfunction.

No follow up, or "hit and run" as someone called it, seems kind of like going to bed in the middle of the movie.

 

[paulh]

Same issue on the appliance repair sites I go to. Never a follow up and these people are in the biz

 

[Rule3]

I agree. Especially frustrating when repair expertise is sought by the OP via S&W Customer Service and no final report is given concerning....... the actual, correct diagnosis of the problem, what was done by the factory to repair the issue, customer evaluation and actual cost, if any, of the diagnosis and repair, and whether or not the repair provided an acceptable resolution to the problem or malfunction.

No follow up, or "hit and run" as someone called it, seems kind of like going to bed in the middle of the movie.

Agreed, this and many obscure posts on reloading.


POOF they are gone.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I borrowed this from Snubby:

 

[prairieviper]

Whenever I offer input that I hope will help someone, I do not expect a thank you, although one is appreciated when given. I have to say that I am indifferent to hit and run OPs.

 

[Absalom]

I guess there are unappreciative and impolite people everywhere. If I start a thread, I try to give even the dumbest response at least a "like" unless it's personally insulting

I can handle ingratitude. But on some threads the suspense kills me. The OP dangles some interesting-sounding gun before us, leaves out a crucial detail or two, and never answers the follow-up questions. I hate threads that end like "The Sopranos" ...

 

[Rule3]

I borrowed this from Snubby:

Oh you usually do much better than this, That's old material.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Oh you usually do much better than this, That's old material.

Sorry, my mind has been preoccupied with lobsters.

 

[swsig]

I have seen the behavior you're referring to swsig. I don't know of a good solution; I guess it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round?

I don't have a solution, either. We just have to rely on the good nature and common sense of the majority of the Forum's members. If every thread was begun by a vanishing OP, Forum membership would be about ten people, nine of whom were moderators.

 

[Watchdog]

I try to respond to everyone who answers my questions. Sometimes I'll even send them a PM.

The times I feel I can answer someone's question, maybe help them a bit, I'll do it. If they respond or say thanks, fine.

But upset or offended because someone on an Internet forum ignores me? C'mon.

 

[Sevens]

And there is the answer, thank you.

 

[muddocktor]

I've seen the drive by posters for a long time on forums I belong to and that doesn't bother me too much any more. But what tends to get me are the threads where the OP hasn't responded to for days or weeks and people still respond to the OP's question or at other folks responses. If the OP isn't interested, why the heck should anybody else care if the OP isn't responsible enough to at least post back in his thread to acknowledge the folks trying to help him out..