Feedback Read before replying!!

[Smuvers Farm]

Its called freedom of speech
I may have started the off topic posts and for that I apologize to the OP but you must realize this whole thread has been off topic including the bickering you spoke of.
Sometimes people miss posts as in Casprtponys case where she is on a small phone. I have missed whole pages by hitting the wrong button. Its human nature to want to help. Well, for most of us anyway. As pack animals, we want to belong and for myself being made to feel like what I said was blather really hurts.

I egged you on though (see what I did there? heh). Sorry as well. HOWEVER, as that is said, when someone signs up here, there is an Introductions page, with 10 social questions they can answer (meaning this is a social site), not *who are you and what's your problem* question.

As an aside, 90% of the time, you don't NEED to sign up to BYC to get an answer from BYC. MOST OF THE TIME, when I see a new member, they signed up for meeting and talking to other BYC people... not to just have a question answered. And the ones who sign up JUST to have a question answered, are usually emergency type questions... and they post maybe 1-4 times and don't post again until they need help... again.

Honestly, I would rather see the *Off Topic* emoji posted, rather than be *brought to task* by another member under the guise of trying to *be helpful*.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Can someone please write a guide (or point me to it, of one exists already, I couldn't find one) that kinda explains that's its best to read a thread, or at least get the main gist of a long thread, before replying with advice/comments??

I've seen alot of threads lately where a bird is sick, later dies, and posts still get added with advice or even with "hoping it improves" type of replies. This causes the original poster to relive the tragedy and can be so sad.

I've also seen advice on hatching threads, long after the chick has hatched, etc.

This all seems like common sense to me, common courtesy, but it sure happens often, and drives me crazy! I just thought it would be nice to have a link to refer a person to, instead of typing out an explanation of what has already happened.

Thoughts anyone?

Oh, one other thing. Long threads like breed threads often get the same question asked hundreds of times. I realize this is unavoidable, as most people won't read thousands of posts. I've done it myself. But at least those threads are usually frequented by folks who love talking about their breed anyway, so it usually isn't as much of a problem. Jmho..


EDIT/UPDATE - After a bit of discussion, the following are some suggestions, links, etc that have come up:

It seems that many "help me" threads eventually get overwhelmed with off-topic banter. If you start a thread, you can control it. Feel free to tell posters that get off-topic that you prefer that it stay on-topic. Don't be rude about it, but there should be no harm in asking that "your" thread stay on the topic at hand. Especially if actual help is still needed. As a helper, please don't take offense if an OP calls you out on non-topic related posts!

A BYC thread/sticky on How to be a good BYC citizen:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-be-a-good-byc-citizen.163975/

Some non-BYC basic forum etiquette links:
http://www.toptenreviews.com/services/articles/25-forum-posting-etiquette-tips/
https://www.netmanners.com/658/message-board-and-forum-etiquette/

** disclaimer - these are not all BYC guidelines, just basic courtesies, so please don't read them as BYC rules. **

It would be nice to have an option to close the thread for replies once said issue has been resolved. Closing the thread for comments/not review.

 

[casportpony]

And the ones who sign up JUST to have a question answered, are usually emergency type questions... and they post maybe 1-4 times and don't post again until they need help... again.

Pet peeve of mine... People that disappear without giving updates.

honestly, I would rather see the *Off Topic* emoji posted, rather than be *brought to task* by another member under the guise of trying to *be helpful*.

I like the off topic emoji, but you're right, a gentle reminder is probably better.

 

[User395221]

It would be nice to have an option to close the thread for replies once said issue has been resolved. Closing the thread for comments/not review.

But sometimes the "resolution" is inaccurate or new information has come to light and nobody can ever say so. Also, people have a similar issue and can necro an old thread rather than start afresh and having all the same things repeated (by anyone who reads the thread, that is). I'm in favour as marking as 'Solved' but not in favour of closing threads.

 

[casportpony]

It would be nice to have an option to close the thread for replies once said issue has been resolved. Closing the thread for comments/not review.

That can be done. Premium members can do it, regular members just need to click the report button and request that it be closed to further replies.

 

[WVduckchick]

Good stuff, people!!

 

[Akrnaf2]

Bugs the poop out of me too...but I think Nifty hit the nail on the head here:
People just don't pay attention....or are paying attention to the wrong things.

IMO stupid phones have ruined forums sorry, yes, that's an exaggeration and a generalization, but it's true too, tho it's not really the phones themselves, but the people who use them have no inkling of what a forum is and how it works(worked), or what a bulletin board was(to age me). Forum etiquette is rare to non-existent.
Staccato 'texting' has replaced thoughtful discussion.

I've been participating in forums for decades, and I have seen a sharp decline in content integrity since the phones/mobile devices got more popular in the last few years. Forums have always had chatting/social sections and topic discussion sections were mostly kept on topic, the shucking and jiving was kept in the social sections and it was 'self enforced' by forum members, worked great!

Growing ones post numbers, likes, and yakking seems to have taken precedence over content...look at this thread.....geezuz can't anyone stay on topic?!?! I'm not against chatting and joking and bantering, but gawd, 'get a room'! It's not just about solutions found, many topic discussions that could go on for months or years are derailed and clogged by the flotsam...making them near useless unless one wants to spend the whole day scrolling thru all the crap to find good info. I could go on and on, be glad I'm tired(but not inebriated). RantOver. Apologies to those offended.

My question is do you know someone that posted a question on BYC and didn't get a reasonable answer? If the situation is that people get their answers /solution the chatting and bubbling is a small price. .....

 

[Lazy Farmer]

But sometimes the "resolution" is inaccurate or new information has come to light and nobody can ever say so. Also, people have a similar issue and can necro an old thread rather than start afresh and having all the same things repeated (by anyone who reads the thread, that is). I'm in favour as marking as 'Solved' but not in favour of closing threads.

"Solved" is added by the moderator, or by the op? Or is the op granted moderation tools to make the final decision that the post is correct and closed for further input? If the op has the power to close the thread, there would be a need for other members to submit corrections to be reviewed by a moderator or the op.
I do agree that some threads go on for eons and it is hard to read every single post. Time consuming. Jumping to conclusions without all of the facts I have been guilty of here and there.
Interesting topic... needless to say.

 

[Bonniebooboo]

Pictures of link:

Spoiler: Pictures

View attachment 1172647 View attachment 1172646 View attachment 1172645 View attachment 1172644 View attachment 1172643

I like this link. I hadn't seen it until now.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Trying to remember all the posts I read and points I want to make from reading the last 8 pages or so I actually went old school and got a pen and paper!

As an OP on a thread I would like the power to edit threads as I see fit. Remove posts that I don't find on topic or helpful.
@Smuvers Farm mentions volunteers to help but I agree with @Nifty-Chicken and @aart that it's human nature and the way things go now a days that the volunteers would be overrun.

@WVduckchick, @BantyChooks, @staceyj, @21hens-incharge, @potato chip all mentioned the OP being able to edited the thread in some way. Either delete posts, move the thread, or add a notes section. It seems you have to be a Priemum Member to edit and not everyone is.

@Crooked Chicken mentined a pop up that when someone would go to respond at the OPs request the thread stay on topic would come up as a friendly reminder. I like this idea! It would require people following it though. Again with human nature.

@potato chip also brought up repeat answers one right after another. I've had this happen, as I'm typing someone else responds. Then there are two answers right in a row. In an emergency situation it's nice to hear others agree. I've commented "agreed" or "X2" as a reassurance to the OP that the advice they have received is good advice.

@casportpony and @21hens-incharge mentioned others helping within a thread. Answering when someone doesn't read it aaaallll and wants an answer.

I dare with @WVduckchick that the OP should lead the way and others should follow. Your on their thread... but it takes a village sometimes.
As for how the likes are used I personally use them as "I agree with this" and sometimes as "I really like this". I don't think many people here are using them to boost their numbers trying to earn trophies. (I could be wrong)

It honestly think it boils down to what people are willing to do. I've read old threads looking for answers. When things go off topic I'll skim looking for answers. When it's an emergency thread I think most people stay on topic. We realize it's an emergency. But without heavy moderation I don't think we'll ever get away from chatty human nature. We are all here for the birds and for some of us these are the only other crazy bird people we know.