Just a reminder for everyone ...

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I agree on one hand, then on the other hand I disagree....maybe because the last few times I've been on there's been a few days (ok, somtimes a week) since the last time I posted so I want to make sure I reply to all the posts that well.....my whole grind here is that we've all heard the threads where people complain that people don't respond to their threads. So here I am after being away from PT for 2 - 3 days and I want to respond to threads because people like it when you respond, and what's the point of starting a thread if people don't respond to it?

So, we're supposed to respond to peoples' threads, yet we're not supposed to reply with little one or two line responses. Do you want me to respond or not? I'm a bit grumpy and crabby today so my opinion right now might not be appropriate but if you don't want me to respond, fine, I won't, but then don't start complaining when you don't get any responses. Sheesh.

[K9soul]

I'm on a roll here with gabbing in this thread today.. but I had to add something else.

I don't think people mind if someone posts "cute pics!" to a thread they like. It's when there are 30 new threads, and someone goes down each of the 30 threads, and types "cute pics!" in every single one of them, identically, within a 3 minute period. It has no meaning, and seems to be done purely for post count.

[finn's mom]

If it's a question or problem and you can't either offer a suggstion to help or encouragement, don't post to it maybe. Saying thigs like "I don't know" or "aww too bad" doesn't really do anything but clutter the board.

I agree with most of what's been said so far in this thread and how it's been said. But, on this, I must comment. This is where it gets fuzzy on what's proper etiquette. There are some people who would rather you say something (even if it's "i don't know, i'm sorry i can't help"), than just view and not reply at all. Again, I think the biggest thing to remember is that you can't please everyone. I think there are a lot of people would rather know that someone read their question and thought about it and told them that they don't know how to help, as opposed to seeing 30 views and one reply. I'm not disagreeing with you, Vela, just pointing out that it can be very confusing to someone on what's the proper thing to do. And, I think in some cases, there isn't always one right answer. It just depends on the poster as to what they like to see.

[finn's mom]

Do you want me to respond or not?

We posted at the same time.

[Vela]

Exactly! That's exactly it.

[finn's mom]

It's when there are 30 new threads, and someone goes down each of the 30 threads, and types "cute pics!" in every single one of them, identically, within a 3 minute period. It has no meaning, and seems to be done purely for post count.

I agree that it would be silly to do that, but, I think sometimes people do it so as not to show favorites or to post on one picture thread and not on another. But, then, like you said, it has no meaning if it's the exact same reply to every single picture thread.

[Vela]

I agree with most of what's been said so far in this thread and how it's been said. But, on this, I must comment. This is where it gets fuzzy on what's proper etiquette. There are some people who would rather you say something (even if it's "i don't know, i'm sorry i can't help"), than just view and not reply at all. Again, I think the biggest thing to remember is that you can't please everyone. I think there are a lot of people would rather know that someone read their question and thought about it and told them that they don't know how to help, as opposed to seeing 30 views and one reply. I'm not disagreeing with you, Vela, just pointing out that it can be very confusing to someone on what's the proper thing to do. And, I think in some cases, there isn't always one right answer. It just depends on the poster as to what they like to see.

Well this is true, I mean it more in the context of what Jessica said, that someone who posts generic responses to everyone's threads, really seems like they don't really care, they respond to all the threads the same pretty much and often say things to the point that you can even tell they didn't read it. I'm not saying NEVER post things like that...it's the megaposters who do it generically that don't seem to really care what is going on with that poster. There are always exceptions to every "rule" or situation.

[jazzcat]

I don't think people mind if someone posts "cute pics!" to a thread they like. It's when there are 30 new threads, and someone goes down each of the 30 threads, and types "cute pics!" in every single one of them, identically, within a 3 minute period. It has no meaning, and seems to be done purely for post count.

When I was new here I felt like I needed to reply to everyone's posts to make friends and keep them, if you know what I mean. I didn't want to hurt anyone's feeling by making them think I ignored their posts. I finally realized I neither needed to do that nor could I keep up that pace. I truly wasn't trying to boost my post count I was just trying to be friendly. I'm going to give some of these new posters the benefit of the doubt that they are just thinking like I did at first. They'll soon figure it out or burn out which seems to be what happens.

T&P's Mom - I'll take a short reply from you any day!!!

[finn's mom]

Well this is true, I mean it more in the context of what Jessica said

Ah, I didn't see that you two were saying the same thing at all when she posted that last bit about the generic posts! My bad!

[Vela]

Hehe no bad, it's just sometimes hard to get across what we mean on a message board since I know what I meant but perhaps didn't say it in such a way that others saw what I meant, we all interpret what we read differently sometimes. In my mind it made sense, but I can see how someone else might read it differently.

[finn's mom]

When I was new here I felt like I needed to reply to everyone's posts to make friends and keep them, if you know what I mean. I didn't want to hurt anyone's feeling by making them think I ignored their posts.

T&P's Mom - I'll take a short reply from you any day!!!

That's what I was thinking, too! That maybe there are some people trying to boost their count, but, maybe there are people just trying to be super friendly (but, then, posting the same exact reply...heck, use a thesaurus if you must!... does seem a bit silly).

And, T&P's Mom, me, too!

[finn's mom]

Hehe no bad, it's just sometimes hard to get across what we mean on a message board since I know what I meant but perhaps didn't say it in such a way that others saw what I meant, we all interpret what we read differently sometimes. In my mid it made sense, but I can see how someone else might read it differently.

I know how that goes! IM and texts, too, are hard to decipher sometimes. I was mostly referring to the bit about not replying if you didn't have an answer to the person's question.

[K9soul]

Everyone's perspectives in this thread have been interesting and have made me think, as well as it has been nice to share my own. I'm glad people are posting their viewpoints and perspectives without it getting ugly or personal. It's always good to look at things from different angles.

[finn's mom]

Everyone's perspectives in this thread have been interesting and have made me think, as well as it has been nice to share my own. I'm glad people are posting their viewpoints and perspectives without it getting ugly or personal. It's always good to look at things from different angles.

This has been a great thread, very refreshing. I always like to hear your side, as you put it in a way that is mature and thoughtful. That's also refreshing!

[jazzcat]

but, then, posting the same exact reply...heck, use a thesaurus if you must!... does seem a bit silly).

Okay, I decided to do my part to help. I put in Cute at Thesaurus.com and got these entries:
adorable
adroit
beautiful
becoming
charming
dainty
deft
fetching
pretty
quaint
sharp
winning

Maybe this will liven up the generic posting, LOL! I'm just being silly today!