Reasons why no one responded to your topic

Azdak

I have seen what seems like an increased number of topics where an OP has posed a question as a new topic, does not receive any comments after a while, and then posts a comment along the lines of: "well, I guess nobody cares about (me, my question, my concerns, I thought this was a supportive place, etc).

Here are some reasons why no one has responded to your topic:

1. It's something that has been asked and answered many times before. I don't mean this in a negative way. In the past there have been complaints about new users not using the "search" feature to try to find an answer on their own. I am not going there. The search feature is not always that user-friendly and I would expect that many new users aren't even aware of it.

However, that does not change the fact that, if you are the 30th person to ask 'why doesn't MFP give me calories for strength training" in a 24 hour period, it's understandable that those who do know the answer and have answered it 10 times before have decided to pass on the next 20 times it is asked. Again, I am not criticizing new members who ask another common question--just explaining why your question did not get much response.

2. It's busy this time of year--during the week, new topics can roll off the front page of the topic list in 30 min or less. I have had it happen many times myself--spent an hour or so on a new blog, only to see it vanish like an ice cube on an Arizona sidewalk.

3. For whatever reason, your question just might not relate to the majority of members, or it might be something that most people don't feel qualified to comment on. "Calories Burned During Badminton/" might be just too specialized a topic.

Internet discussion groups are a "marketplace of ideas". As in any marketplace, you can sometimes throw your "product" out there and find there is no market for it. Step right up and try it again!

And if you really need responses, just post "What are your gym pet peeves?", "How many calories do I burn having sex?", or "Paleo diets are stupid".....trust me, you'll get all the attention you want...:devil:

Jeff92se

Right.

I posted about improving my vertical jump and it got "crickets". Also posted my lift routine and asked for suggested variations, also "crickets".

Obviously the weight loss is the main focus here with most with not too many interested in the more specialized aspects of exercise

gp79

All excellent points. Search feature -and / or- google are your friends.

jojo52610

Or sometimes if they are new I'll just let them know to search - there's nothing worse than crickets.

Azdak

Right.

I posted about improving my vertical jump and it got "crickets". Also posted my lift routine and asked for suggested variations, also "crickets".

Obviously the weight loss is the main focus here with most with not too many interested in the more specialized aspects of exercise

Yeah, the topics come and go so fast this time of year, sometimes those that need a more specialized answer don't stay up long enough to attract the right people.

There's nothing wrong with "bumping" your own topic (reply to your own topic to "bump" it back up to the top of the list) to give it a second viewing.

AmyRhubarb

So true! Especially your first point - some days I see the same question asked multiple times in a short amount of time. Even if they don't use the search, simply clicking to page 2 might get them the topic they are looking for.

And -

"Calories Burned During Badminton/" might be just too specialized a topic.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

EQHanks

Well said
I try to respond to topics people have not responded to as I can

untilthesun

True that.

Ive posted a few topics that havent received responses....i aint mad! thats life :P

The last one i posted was a rant about how ridiculous biggest loser was.....so it wasnt important...just thought id get it off my chest!

There are more important things that responding to posts on the tinterweb.

bert16

I still think it would've been funnier if no one responded to this topic...

Azdak

I still think it would've been funnier if no one responded to this topic...

That would have been awesome! Too late now.

tgh1914

Yep, and one more to add. Timing can make a difference. There seems to be a lot more traffic during the US' weekday business hours. A topic posted on weekends or at odd hours just doesn't get as many eyes on it as otherwise.

SiltyPigeon

There are sidewalks in Arizona? I thought there was just sand.

mandylooo

I have seen what seems like an increased number of topics where an OP has posed a question as a new topic, does not receive any comments after a while, and then posts a comment along the lines of: "well, I guess nobody cares about (me, my question, my concerns, I thought this was a supportive place, etc).

Here are some reasons why no one has responded to your topic:

1. It's something that has been asked and answered many times before. I don't mean this in a negative way. In the past there have been complaints about new users not using the "search" feature to try to find an answer on their own. I am not going there. The search feature is not always that user-friendly and I would expect that many new users aren't even aware of it.

However, that does not change the fact that, if you are the 30th person to ask 'why doesn't MFP give me calories for strength training" in a 24 hour period, it's understandable that those who do know the answer and have answered it 10 times before have decided to pass on the next 20 times it is asked. Again, I am not criticizing new members who ask another common question--just explaining why your question did not get much response.

2. It's busy this time of year--during the week, new topics can roll off the front page of the topic list in 30 min or less. I have had it happen many times myself--spent an hour or so on a new blog, only to see it vanish like an ice cube on an Arizona sidewalk.

3. For whatever reason, your question just might not relate to the majority of members, or it might be something that most people don't feel qualified to comment on. "Calories Burned During Badminton/" might be just too specialized a topic.

Internet discussion groups are a "marketplace of ideas". As in any marketplace, you can sometimes throw your "product" out there and find there is no market for it. Step right up and try it again!

And if you really need responses, just post "What are your gym pet peeves?", "How many calories do I burn having sex?", or "Paleo diets are stupid".....trust me, you'll get all the attention you want...:devil:

Nice post. People also forget that General Discussion is not the only forum.

dls06

I use to get insulted when my questions were not answered. Now that I've been here for a while I really don't care to even post a new topic. Guess I know it all now. :happy:

seal57

I started a new topic in the chit-chat section and It was called Time Zone Fun....Didn't even get any response.....:sad:

CaptainGordo

Increasing one's circle of friends -- especially friends that are active in the forums -- helps immensely. They can jump in to provide comments, getting more exposure among their friends, and so on.

_SusieQ_

Well dang, I was too slow. What he said ^^^.

MB_Positif

Seriously the other day a new girl posted something and literally gave it like 10 minutes or less and came back with a reply sounding all agitated because no one had responded! If you're that insecure....ugh.

CaptainGordo

Seriously the other day a new girl posted something and literally gave it like 10 minutes or less and came back with a reply sounding all agitated because no one had responded! If you're that insecure....ugh.

I've seen reactions after 5 minutes. Craziness.

arc918

Some of the subjects need a sticky. Everyday there at least 20 or 30 "I want to start running" posts. There should be a "C25K click here to learn about running" tab.

How about calories burned on gym machine vs. MFP vs. HRM posts?

jamk1446

May I add to make your question specific? I've seen many topics that are very broad or vague and it's hard to leave an answer without writing a book. More people would likely respond if they can just drop a line or two to answer the question.

MissFit0101

Actually I think a lot of valid topics get pushed back with no response because of the newish way that we see recent topics on our homepage. It was much better back when it showed recently posted topics rather than recently commented on. I see TONS of good posts get buried all the time by all the silly threads going on that more than half the time have nothing at all to do with fitness or weight loss.

CaptainGordo

Some of the subjects need a sticky. Everyday there at least 20 or 30 "I want to start running" posts. There should be a "C25K click here to learn about running" tab.

How about calories burned on gym machine vs. MFP vs. HRM posts?

Interestingly enough, Steven addressed this today in the following thread: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/447943-muscles-weight-more-than-fat?page=2

While the idea of an official FAQ is a good one, and something we'll take under consideration, it still is not a substitute for the friendships that can be made when veteran users answer a new user's question "live".

Even with sticky threads or FAQs, the questions will still roll in, so we may as well roll with it and either provide helpful responses or ignore them.

AZackery

A lot of people suggest people use the search option, but the question is, when should people stop using the search option?

arc918

I think we could really use some exercise sub-forums as well.

- Running/walking
- Lifting
- DVD - P90X, 30DS, Insanity, etc.

I can talk all day about running, but I know nothing about P90X.

arc918

A lot of people suggest people use the search option, but the question is, when should people stop using the search option?

When they can't find what they're looking for.

CaptainGordo

A lot of people suggest people use the search option, but the question is, when should people stop using the search option?

1) When they find what they're looking for
2) When they can't find what they're looking for
3) When their hands are broken, and they are unable to
4) When they want to

shanolap

A lot of people suggest people use the search option, but the question is, when should people stop using the search option?

1) When they find what they're looking for
2) When they can't find what they're looking for
3) When their hands are broken, and they are unable to
4) When they want to

5) When their heads are full of current and accurate data about the topic in question

fiberartist219

I like the groups for specific questions. For example, if I ask a question about strength training in the strength training group, I will get better responses than if I ask it here.

Anyway, I find that sometimes I don't respond when I don't have anything to add or when I just can't be nice. For example, when a thousand different people ask in the same day how to lose belly fat, and everyone bumps the post looking for the answer, I really want to be snarky. I almost didn't respond, because honestly, there is no answer to that question. Almost everyone who loses weight can't control which body parts lose it first, and some of us will ALWAYS have belly fat, no matter how little we weigh.

So yes, the search function is wonderful, and so are the groups.

EmilyLStuart

Right.

I posted about improving my vertical jump and it got "crickets". Also posted my lift routine and asked for suggested variations, also "crickets".

Obviously the weight loss is the main focus here with most with not too many interested in the more specialized aspects of exercise

Yeah, the topics come and go so fast this time of year, sometimes those that need a more specialized answer don't stay up long enough to attract the right people.

There's nothing wrong with "bumping" your own topic (reply to your own topic to "bump" it back up to the top of the list) to give it a second viewing.

when I saw "bump" I seriously thought it meant someone saying the thread was a bunch of garbage...you know, bump. lol at myself.

InTheInbetween

THIS thread needs a sticky! :drinker:

And my own 2 cents . . . Make the TITLE something that will catch an eye and is specific to your actual post. That's how I decide to click on a thread. Titling a post with just "question" or "what am I doing wrong" or a variety of other generics does not inspire immediate clickage.