Error report etiquette?

Editors: Please tell me what you consider proper error report etiquette. I sent a couple of error reports this morning and have received replies. I feel like I should reply with an acknowledgement that I received it, like thanks, okay, etc. but wonder if that just clogs up your in queue folder, and you would prefer no reply unless the reporter(me) has an additional question/comment on the actual error report. Your comments, please??

Unless you have a question about what we did, or you think we missed something or misunderstood your report, there's no reason to reply. (It's kind of like sending a thank-you card for the thank-you card you received after you give someone a present *grin*)

Okey, dokey!! and thanks!

Thanks, kooger, for getting that cleared up. I have always wondered too.

LOL Terry, you must get really fed up with me ;)

Talking of ettyket. Email has either made the world a less polite place or I've been introduced to a completely new world! Most of the emails and reports that come through the system are polite and courteous but there are a few who think that it's only a machine so why bother with niceities. I've lost count of the amount of times I've received or seen something that says 'I want / you should / give me information on (insert general request here).' and that's the only bit of typing! Fortunately it's still just a few but I'm going to stop now before I start really getting into this, emails have definitely turn the beauty of letter writing into something very different *G*

That's true, Baa. I would guess we deal with them in similar fashion. If they give me adequate information (even if asked in a less-than-polite tone) AND it's a simple/straightforward answer, I try to help them, then give them information on joining our forums.

If it's truly rude and/or we're swamped, they get the "form letter" that explains we don't have the resources to provide individual research for free. (The kicker is when you get back an even ruder/more petulant response to THAT one, lolol.

If they don't give me enough to go on, I am not afraid to hit "delete" and move on down the road. I figure if it's really important they'll figure out how to email a more specific question...

So now y'all know the dark side to being an administrator: the sad truth is that we frequently deal with incredibly rude and demanding people who want prompt and accurate advice for free, and don't like being told it isn't available ;o) On the upside, many other reports are truly helpful and constructive. And occasionally our responses prompt a user to subscribe.

I here ya Terry and Baa. I'm the web master/writer/administrator whatever you wanna call it ;-) for a site making information available on a rare genetic syndrome. It's all done in my free time and I dedicate a lot of heart, soul and energy to the site because my daughter has this syndrome. And I do have to say that it's the best site on the web for up-to-date information about the syndrome. Most of the feedback I get is in the form of "great/helpful/informative site" etc. And sometimes I get some good ideas in feedback for enhancing the site. But somtimes people just write the rudest most demanding emails to me about how I need to do this or I should do that or how visitors deserve this or that. Sheesh! You'd think the parents of these children would be grateful there is even a site with information on the syndrome (there certainly wasn't when my daughter was born...which explains why I created the site). But instead some of them just get so pushy! It's just amazing. I used to reply to all of these explaining how this is a one-woman show, I get no money for it and it's all done in my spare time...so please give me a break. But now I (like Terry) am not afraid to hit "delete" if it's just a complaint or rude comment.

And with that said, I certainly don't see why someone thinks it's okay to be rude to administrators here either. And if they are....well, they can't exactly be angry when they don't get what they asked for.

Thanks to all the adminstrators for all you do. I DO understand that it's not just fame and glory behind the scenes. ;-)

-Julie

Rudeness is very deserving of a 'delete'. Much sympathies to the folks they live with - good chance that's normal behavior for them.

Maybe you Admins should have attached photos of yourselves on all your email responses. You know... the really good ones... in your bathrobe, hair standing on end, sipping morning coffee (or tea), dribbling it down into the keyboard... that would give it the 'human touch'.

Add, sticking your tongue out and send it to those who are so rude! Dotti

Chuckle. My guess is my "best" photo would be one of me looking at my screen with complete bewilderment while I'm pulling my hair out in tufts....there are some days it seems you just can't please anyone.

Then again, other days we get really nice notes from people who just want to say they enjoy and appreciate the site, or those that add a kind word to their error report. Those little atta-boys make the rest of the day much more pleasant ;o)

As a newbie, I'd just like to say that everyone here is amazingly friendly and helpful, and this is by far the best site I've come across in my limited experience - I like the way people rush to reassure me that what I asked wasn't all that stupid, really.
And I was definitely surprised to be welcomed so warmly. From a nice little note in my mail from Terry, to a bunch of others saying welcome, this is most likely the reason that I seem to be spending waaaaay too much time here - keep looking at the clock on the bottom of my monitor and thinking -no way! It can't be that late! I'll just read one more thing and then go do ...
Rudeness is a choice, and in situations like that, hey, I wish I could have a delete button for my regular life - the guy at the gas station sneers at me? Click! The customer behind me in line is muttering rudely? Click!

The clock in the corner says midnight and I'm not ready to turn off DG, bad clock! Click!

Welcome daylily!

There are many other situations where I'd love to click someone or something away. But perhaps I had better not start - I'd still be here Sunday! LOL Dotti

kooger, thanks for your post. When reporting an error, I always want to write a thank you back in response. However, I decide that the Admins are so busy that a return email to thank them takes up even more of their time. So, I always thank them in my error report.

Dear hard working Administrators,
Just wanted to say "Thank you" for all of your efforts. Y'all do a fantastic job. :o)

Dear DG staff,

You do a wonderful job for/with us. Thank you, thank you, thank you. My husband spends a lot of time on his website's posting and following threads, but on his sites they are always mean to each other, and they're talking about the past. We're nice to each other, and we're mostly talking about the future!!! ~*~Thanks again!~*~

xxx Carrie