Opinion on proper forum etiquette?

contingencyplan

In your opinion, if someone has questions on an issue that was already addressed in an old thread (say, one that's more than a few months old), would it be more proper to necro the old thread by posting their concerns in that one or making a new topic? In my opinion I would rather see the old thread bumped back up. What would you rather see?

Cp731

Well if we did that every time, MFP would get boring now wouldn't it?

Contrarian

If they read the old thread, they would already have their answer, seeing as the question had already been addressed, wouldn't they?

I don't care, either way. People should do what they are most comfortable with.

contingencyplan

Well, the reason I asked and why I have my opinion is because one of the reasons I feel that veteran site users get snide, sarcastic, and cynical with new users is that the new users post questions on topics that have already been addressed hundreds of times before in the past. If they would look to old threads for answers and leave new postings for new questions/new issues, I think it would help with creating a forum environment more friendly to new users, because the veteran users who are most capable of answering these questions wouldn't grow so impatient with them.

Silver_Star

well, it seems that you've answered your own question

Cp731

Well, the reason I asked and why I have my opinion is because one of the reasons I feel that veteran site users get snide, sarcastic, and cynical with new users is that the new users post questions on topics that have already been addressed hundreds of times before in the past. If they would look to old threads for answers and leave new postings for new questions/new issues, I think it would help with creating a forum environment more friendly to new users, because the veteran users who are most capable of answering these questions wouldn't grow so impatient with them.

:devil: :yawn:

Cp731

I feel that veteran site users get snide, sarcastic, and cynical with new users.

mmddwechanged

I don't think that referring to another thread is a bad thing. I think proper "ettiquette" involves answering the question and/or pointing out that if they do a search they'll find that their topic had already been discussed. I would find both responses helpful personally.

As for sarcasm, I think I'm a very sensitive person but have never been hurt over a sarcastic response to a serious question. The secret is to understand that it's not personal, they don't even know me, and if anyone thinks I'm misinformed or unintelligent, a random person's connent will not make it so:)

iquiltoo

Well, the reason I asked and why I have my opinion is because one of the reasons I feel that veteran site users get snide, sarcastic, and cynical with new users is that the new users post questions on topics that have already been addressed hundreds of times before in the past. If they would look to old threads for answers and leave new postings for new questions/new issues, I think it would help with creating a forum environment more friendly to new users, because the veteran users who are most capable of answering these questions wouldn't grow so impatient with them.

Veteran site users that really want to help won't mind, and those that get snide, sarcastic, etc could just ignore the question and go on to another, more exciting and fulfilling question...(like Hot or Not, Rate the person above you, and so on.) I mean really, how many new and different questions are you going to get on a narrow topic web site? If you weren't allowed to post a previously asked question, soon the only ones with new posts would be the chat and success forums.

Cp731

Veteran site users that really want to help won't mind, and those that get snide, sarcastic, etc could just ignore the question and go on to another, more exciting and fulfilling question...(like Hot or Not, Rate the person above you, and so on.)

Sooooo..That's what you think they should do? I wonder what they'd think of that.

GormanGhaste

They have stickied posts in the General Help forum with a lot of helpful links, but not in the Food or Exercise forums. It might be helpful to copy the stickied posts to those forums. It also might be nice to have stickied Q & A posts where new people could ask questions. "Have a question? Ask here first" sort of thing.

newmein2013

In your opinion, if someone has questions on an issue that was already addressed in an old thread (say, one that's more than a few months old), would it be more proper to necro the old thread by posting their concerns in that one or making a new topic? In my opinion I would rather see the old thread bumped back up. What would you rather see?

this question was asked before but i dont have the time to search for the thread and bump it. bro!

^^^ This... made me lol

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

If the new person reads the thread and still has questions I'd prefer that they start a new thread with their specific question. I'd lead with "I used the search but I'm still wondering x because y".

But that's in a perfect world of course. :flowerforyou:

nikilis

well, since the old one was made, I'm sure new insults and gifs have been invented.

it wouldn't be fair now would it?



this place is so not about helping people anyway.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

well, since the old one was made, I'm sure new insults and gifs have been invented.

it wouldn't be fair now would it?



this place is so not about helping people anyway.

Everyone is different.

We're all here for the same reason.*



*Copyright Jof 2013 all rights reserved.

GetSoda

Well, their question is 99% likely to have been answered in that thread already. But, you will never get people to use the search engine. So.

pcastagner

You never know what will come up when a new connection and interaction is made. So it's kind of fruitless to worry about this.

I enjoy snide and sarcastic replies anyway.


Btw, I meant to ask, will I go into starvation mode if I eat under 1200 net calories, even if I don't eat back my exercise calories?

Mmmmona