"Text talk" and thread titles
#1
11-13-2016, 02:55 AM
"Text talk" and thread titles
I think we are losing the battle against "text talk" postings: A long string of text with no punctuation or paragraph breaks and lots of misspelled words.
It is sometimes difficult to understand the questions being asked and also hard to read.
Also, thread titles like "HELP!," "Problem," and "Codes" give little info into what the poster wants.
I refuse to read either type of thread from now on.
Vector
It is sometimes difficult to understand the questions being asked and also hard to read.
Also, thread titles like "HELP!," "Problem," and "Codes" give little info into what the poster wants.
I refuse to read either type of thread from now on.
Vector
#2
11-13-2016, 06:17 AM
Although I also deplore the use of 'text talk', I do discourage members from using it rather than choosing to ignore such posts. If the Moderators and Regional Coordinators don't set the example then the forum will certainly degenerate.
The core of members who are the major contributors to the forum all submit well structured posts on technical issues. This generally rubs off on the less frequent posters.
From a moderating perspecitve, a subtle hint by inserting line breaks and replacing excessive 'text talk' usually has the desired effect and a PM succeeds where this has failed. In only one instance has a member replied telling me to 'f**k off'' which I accepted as his text speak resignation from the forum and obliged with a permanent ban.
Unhelpful thread titles are an ongoing concern. When we spot them, Moderators do edit or expand them to be more specific. This benefits the original poster because they get more Views and Replies; it also helps members because they can be selective in topics that interest them. For any we miss, a PM is always welcome to draw attention to the relevant thread.
Graham
The core of members who are the major contributors to the forum all submit well structured posts on technical issues. This generally rubs off on the less frequent posters.
From a moderating perspecitve, a subtle hint by inserting line breaks and replacing excessive 'text talk' usually has the desired effect and a PM succeeds where this has failed. In only one instance has a member replied telling me to 'f**k off'' which I accepted as his text speak resignation from the forum and obliged with a permanent ban.
Unhelpful thread titles are an ongoing concern. When we spot them, Moderators do edit or expand them to be more specific. This benefits the original poster because they get more Views and Replies; it also helps members because they can be selective in topics that interest them. For any we miss, a PM is always welcome to draw attention to the relevant thread.
Graham
Last edited by GGG; 11-13-2016 at 02:23 PM.
#4
11-13-2016, 07:09 PM
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Vector, I agree wholeheartedly.
Unfortunately it's fast becoming the way of the world it seems. I do believe in general that we have resisted this and holding it at bay to some degree.
My personal pet hate is a post of 500 words, all ran together with no punctuation to speak of, very difficult to read and or understand. Generally I don't bother.
I have in the past edited these to include line breaks and or have also edited certain thread titles too.
It's an ongoing battle I'm afraid
Unfortunately it's fast becoming the way of the world it seems. I do believe in general that we have resisted this and holding it at bay to some degree.
My personal pet hate is a post of 500 words, all ran together with no punctuation to speak of, very difficult to read and or understand. Generally I don't bother.
I have in the past edited these to include line breaks and or have also edited certain thread titles too.
It's an ongoing battle I'm afraid
#5
11-13-2016, 08:33 PM
Veteran Member
Beat you. I've been doing this for a long time now.
I also do not attempt to help those who have shown themselves
to be argumentative or prone to smackdowns in other threads,
whether or no they uses walls of text.
They can drag it out for fifty posts and it matters not to me,
even if I have the answer they are flailing about trying to find.
In virtual as in real life, I won't throw someone under the bus,
but it is also my choice as to whether I reach out to steady
them if they slip.
ps. It seems that the UK version of our space seems to manage
to be civil and friendly without much overt effort. It is not
quite as busy, but one is less likely to want to shutdown the
browser window when reading there.
I also do not attempt to help those who have shown themselves
to be argumentative or prone to smackdowns in other threads,
whether or no they uses walls of text.
They can drag it out for fifty posts and it matters not to me,
even if I have the answer they are flailing about trying to find.
In virtual as in real life, I won't throw someone under the bus,
but it is also my choice as to whether I reach out to steady
them if they slip.
ps. It seems that the UK version of our space seems to manage
to be civil and friendly without much overt effort. It is not
quite as busy, but one is less likely to want to shutdown the
browser window when reading there.
Last edited by plums; 11-13-2016 at 08:35 PM.
#7
11-14-2016, 02:49 PM
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#8
11-14-2016, 07:29 PM
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#9
11-17-2016, 03:07 AM
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