Closure

Some people start threads and after a lot of folks bothered to respond, the one who started it all fades away, leaving everyone just hanging there. Do you think that's cool?

What kinds of threads are you referring to or all in general. I saw some posts by new members that I responded to and was thinking maybe they didn't know to watch the thread or how to do things? Its annoying though if you answer someones post and they don't answer you back.

Katrina

Yes, I think that is he problem with some folk's, they don't know how to "watch" it, then they lose it. I tried to explain this to one newbie some time ago, even emailed her, but she didn't come back.

well, I must admit, I don't 'watch' every thread I start, I used to be able to keep up with everything, but DG has grown so much. Sometimes we forget we were talking about something. :(

I envision the discussion forums like a virtual party - sometimes I stay with a group for the entire conversation, sometimes I find myself floating away to join another group's dialogue.

My self-imposed "posting etiquette" guideline: if I pose a question in my initial post, I should watch the thread - asking a question but not waiting for (or acknowledging) the answer could be construed as rude ;~) But if others don't do the same, I just figure that something came up and/or they forgot.

I think I'll follow your advice gv, and from now on watch the ones I start at the minimum:) I never got in the habit at first, and it's hard to start new things at my age:)

I think I have a different take on this ~~~

Opening a thread is like tossing a pebble into a pond. The pebble strikes the water and sometimes vanishes out of sight. Yet, the ripples spread outward across the surface of the pond.

I have seen thread topics begin and then evolve over time into new thoughts and ideas. I have seen others fade away. I have seen thread topics remain focused on a single specific thought through 50~odd posts.

You really never know what is going to happen.

And to me this is the beauty of the forums as a way of sharing ideas.

This site does it better than almost any other site I have ever seen.

Adam.

lol, Adam - what you've described is THREAD HIJACKING, and it is expressly forbidden around here :0)

(I'm kidding, of course.) But I will say that it's considered polite to acknowledge (and maybe apologize) if you're taking a thread in a different direction. Assuming you're aware that you're doing it (sometimes we are; sometimes the conversations drift.)

And if the new topic is too far afield, it might be better to start a new thread altogether.

Max, have we answered your question yet?

I have my "My Threads" page as starting page in my browser.

tiG - http://davesgarden.com/threads.php?user=tiG

Maybe Ulrich will make a point and not answer *G*

I don't always answer all posts to threads I've started, but I do try to keep up to begin with then let it take it's course. If I ask a question I like to say thanks or perhaps reword it if the question was too ambiguous or similar discussion. I also (like most people) like an acknowledgement when I answer a post, especially an ID ... hey I'm not a walking book you know it takes time to find some of those plants ;D

I like GV's take on this (thread hijacking strictly forbidden???hehehehe), but there is something that has been bothering me lately - it seems as though when I put a post to a thread that has a conversation going, it suddenly comes to a halt - umm, I cleaned my computer, brush my teeth daily, shower and all that stuff, what's going on???
Am I so dazzling in my responses that everyone just freezes up in awe - NOT!!!! Talk to me, people!

Hi Kathleen!! (talking to you).

lol, PJ, you nut! Thank you!

Kathleen is a THREAD KILLER? (Gee, and I thought that was MY title and cross to bear.) I've been known to shut down entire forums by posting a response to someone's thread. I've tried to tell myself that my response was SO thorough and SO insightful that there was nothing left to say, but I doubt that's the case ;>)

Perhaps there's a support group for us? Thread Killers Anonymous? If not, maybe we should start one? Although something tells me that after the "Hi, I'm Terry and I'm a thread killer, there would be......SILENCE!!!!!

Kathleen ~~~ I have had the same thing happen a number of times..., where I add threads I post to onto my watch list and then no one ever answers. Fortunately my medical coverage includes extensive psychiatric care, to help heal the wound of being ingnored.

GV ~~~ Regarding thread hi~jacking..., maybe it's just that I don't mind ambiguity, or maybe I enjoy watching ideas evolve and conversations flow in an unfettered way. To tell you the truth, some of the best things I have learned about gardening on this site have come from the unexpected twists and turns a thread might take.

More on this ~~~ On the other hand, I understand that a person taking the time to initiate a thread has an idea to share or a question they would like to have answered. From time to time they might experience frustration. So I understand the point being made here.

I post to a professional forum for people in my field. The posting rules there are complex in the extreme and ruthlessly enforced by editors who review every submission. Hopefully, Dave's slice of the web will remain relatively relaxed. I will (try to) do my bit to avoid thread hi~jacking.

Adam.

PS: If you go back and read Ulrich's initial post, you can see this topic has already evolved.

Hello, Kathleen! Just can't let that sit without trying to help you feel better.

As for the original subject of this thread, I think a few responses and words of appreciation suffice most of the time. Then the thread becomes public property, making the public (members) responsible for content but not restricting the natural and desirable social aspect for which DG is famous. I agree that this rambling is one of the things I like here. If my thread gets hijacked after my topic is covered, no prob, ya'll have fun.

I'm tickled pink that li'l ol' Me could start such an avalanche.

Awww, shoot, Ulrich - I was just going to post that you'd abandoned your own thread! ;D

Ulrich, go to the Parking Lot and see My Gardening Adventure if you want to see what craziness a thread can turn into. And it's so much fun and you learn a lot about the characters on this site through them. But I agree with you when it's a serious question and all these well-meaning good-hearted folks respond and the original poster disappears into the ether. Kinda makes you feel like the Lone Ranger riding to the rescue at break-neck speed and then when you get to town the streets are empty, a ghost town. But there's always someone out there watching and listening, your efforts are not wasted. Don't stop responding to those in need, please. So many others may benefit from your knowledge.

Fooled you, eh, GW? I don't monitor my monitor* as a rule, so at times I won't get back until the next day or so.
Stella, I did as you told me and went to the Parking Lot. All I can say is "wow". I find that the older I get the less patience I have, and that one is beyond my limit.
*I love plays on words, Fry's is the place for monitors.

Mine, too -- I get lost on those adventures and have to turn back toward home! :D

Be very careful where you go from there! Someone might follow you home and start an adventure right in your own back yard. Let's see, I think GW needs a little bridge over this water garden here, I'll just build one and hang a few pieces of Spanish moss on the rails. Oh, my, Ulrich, is that a snakebite on your ankle? You sit right down while I send for Dr. Cal A Lily to look at it. Here, Mystic and Roadrunner made you a special cup of tea and brought you a plate of goodies to help you keep up your strength. Don't worry about the noise, it's just Bobby and Laura bringing some topsoil for GW's garden.

I'm like Ulrich, can't stick around all day. Seems work comes first! Getting busier every day, spring is near.
Bernie

Sob, I remember the days when I could work instead of play. But I refuse to feel sorry for myself, so I shall reluctantly move over for the haler members here. However, don't give up on me, I have been known to resurrect myself before. Meanwhile, here I sit, propped feet and all, succumbing to what would be old age if I hadn't been forbidden to use that term. Okay, a victim of high mileage?

And I now know why my departure for bed is getting later and later!!!! Sometimes I have felt that starting a thread when one makes an announcement, such as: "I have found a great site that???????????????????? is the word just put out there and I don't expect an answer or comments!!!! But most of the time I'm in here or there like a dirty shirt!!! right!!!!! Elaine......oh, yes, I believe anyone can start an avalanche....you just need a smoking gun and a big one at that!!!!! have fun with it!!!!

OK, I have to admit I am the world's worst hijacker, and I actually appreciate it when someone posts a message that lets me know I've done it. To tell you the truth, by the time I get down to a new post, unless I remember the subject of the thread, I'm just visiting with the last couple posters.

If it's a thread I've started, I don't mind highjackings at all. If the original topic is lost and I want to resurrect it, I can start another thread. I'm the queen of scattered thought, but I can see how that could drive someone else crazy.

On the subject of killing threads, I lose interest in a thread when the folks posting are obviously old friends and have lots of private jokes and references I haven't a clue about. After a couple of days of that, I usually "Unwatch" the thread, and that's OK, too, since old friends need to visit sometimes.

The real killer for me is when I post to a thread and no one acknowledges that I'm there. The conversation just rolls over the top of me like a bump in the road. I generally "Unwatch" those threads, as well. At first, I thought it really rude to step over me, but now I see there are times when I've interrupted the flow the others had going at the time. I have to admit I've ignored a posting or two when the new post takes a turn that isn't where I want to go.

Visiting on forums is like a cocktail party or a church social. If you invite friends to your home, you have to keep a conversation going with specific people at a specific time, like it or not. Here, we can pop in anytime and circulate until we find kindred spirits. If we don't like what's afoot, we can move on or just turn off the computer and return to the real world. I think our diversity is wonderful.

However, I have wondered how all this works in the FAQ forum. Does Dave do any editing? Does he include a fascinating discussion on germination, even if we drift into a discussion on foot odor?

Well said Weezie!

I like the pebble into the pond metaphor, never knowing what will come of a thread one starts... keeps it interesting. Some threads are better diverted... John

Weezy, where do I find the friendly FAQ Forum for flower freaks?

This message was edited Sunday, Jan 12th 6:54 PM

Ulrich:

Hello sure hope that it wasn't me!!!!

I've had a big comp. problem and haven't been able to get anywhere.

It's fixed but I lost a lot of programs.

Couldn't get out of safe mode and many other problems.

sandy

Ulrich, the FAQ forum is there, but you may not have it listed on your homepage if you didn't request it. Just click on the homepage box for changes, I think, and add it to your list of forums.

Found it, Weez, thanks.
Sandy, and everyone else who doesn't back their stuff up, BACK YOUR STUFF UP!!!

Go_Vols and Baa, you both are so good, I just stand back in awe :) No disrespect meant if I don't respond after you have posted.

Lupine

Must be Vols causing all that awe!

I'm used to people standing well back after a long hard day in the mire. Now that may have been a kind of awe, there was certainly a brown cow aura about me in those days, but I've not been in the muckspreader cleaning the chains for a few years now, so it can't be me ;)

Me too. To all the above. LOL Jim

I once lived in a small Wisconsin town that closed its movie theatre in the winters. One winter all the local residents wanted to see a movie filmed in Alaska called 'The Bear', so the theatre agreed to open for one night.

When we arrived at the theatre, the building was still a bit chilly. People arrived from all over the area, most fresh from milking and other chores. I can tell you, once the theatre began to warm up, we were certainly in awe of our dairy farm friends..and their muck boots!

Whoooooo, I bet that was quite the olfactory experience! Smell-O-Vision, only it wasn't bear scat (close enough, though!)

Yes, I suppose it would have been more tolerable if we had been out in the barn before the viewing, but that was not the case. In spite of it all, it was so great to see everybody trapsing in to see a movie. Those were hard working folks who deserved some entertainment of a subzero evening in Grantsburg, Wisconsin. Bless 'em all!

Weez,Ive been to that theater,Once lived in Luck!(boy talk about a hijack):0)

Root, was it aired out by the time you got there? *grin*