Minor complaint on thread starters

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Kev

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I notice many first time thread starters that ask for advice and are looking for help often post their question, then active forum members have the entire discussion on our own, often times for a few pages of input and debate.

All this without any further input or thoughts from the OP.
I feel if you start a thread, then participate in the discussion.
Kind of like starting a topic at a dinner party then leaving the room.

Ok I've had my little rant.
Thanks.
 
Yep..I learned that phrase on this forum ..
I personally try to stay involved and at least say "thanks" for the advice.
 
It's not always a bad thing. I've seen some really good topics of conversation brought on this way. There are lots of drive bys but remember too that the OP is often seeking a variety of opinions and is an attentive listener even though they don't jump in. Most drive bys are just a rant, not a question and they are a pain in the you know what. I just usually pass on getting involved with those.
 
Always nice to know...

if ANY of the advice, opinions, rants, examples, etc, were of use--Or NOT of use, to the OP. Or if, perhaps, the OP found some other way to get the job done.

I've observed "zombie threads" where even after years, someone comes up with a new angle on the OP's question, and not a peep from the OP after posing the starter question.

Thus, I often conclude my own advice, opinion, rant, etc, with the phrase, "Please keep us posted on your progress."

And, if the subject includes modifying a firearm, B&A pictures are nice.
 
I completely agree. If I jump into a thread with 4-5 responses and the OP hasn't chimed back in, I basically just bite my tongue.

I due participate in discussions, but I also hate the long topics which are posted that basically don't require reading any of the other posts before typing my own. I mean, if I'm not reading along, then probably nobody else is, so might as well just save my energy!
 
In defense of some of the OPs that do not reply, sometimes some of the threads go a long time with only a couple or no responses so maybe the poster gives upon the thread. I have had a thread or two go this way so I just dropped the subject.
 
I also find it very frustrating when someone asks a question, several people offer cogent responses, and there is no acknowledgement or feedback from the OP.

However, the flip side is that, on occasion, a fairly specific question is asked, and 97.36 percent of the responses either don't address the question, or offer advice to do exactly what the OP said was not on the table. I've had that happen to me more than once (not necessarily on this site). It's very frustrating, and IMHO it's rude. If I'm looking for a small handgun and I don't want a Glock, and I SAY I don't want a Glock, I should not have to explain why I don't want a Glock ... and two dozen posts telling me that I really should buy a Glock xx simply aren't helpful.

So in some of these cases I think we drive the OP away by insisting on offering unhelpful unrelated, and even contrarian advice.
 
Aguila,

I have to agree with you on some of the replies that get posted.

One active thread I am keeping up with is the OP is looking for a larger than pocket size 380 acp for "plinking and range shooting"

What does he get from the Tacti-fool guys?
"No reason to own anything less than "x" caliber"

I shake my head and wonder if some people read the actual question or just dive in to "educate everybody with their steroid induced opinion"
 
I like the "Thanks" button on a forum thread. This can signify that the OP is participating & reading the posts. This was brought up on TFL but the moderators responded just to send a PM to the poster you wish to thank.

As the OP, I'll usually add a "thank you" post to sort of unofficially end the thread I started.

FWIW...

..bug
 
my personal "irk" button gets pushed when, in a thread about handguns, people post pics of long guns, or vice versa. Not combination pics, with a pistol (subject under discussion) with a rifle, or knife, or whatever in the pic also, but just a pic of a gun that is NOT what we are talking about.

Also replies that have nothing to do with the question. The classic is the fellow who answered everything with "get a Glock!"...Even if I liked Glocks, this would turn me off..

When the OP admits up front he doesn't know about something and asks a question or two, I really don't expect them to be an active contributor to the discussion, other than to thank folks if they get something useful from it. That's just good manners....
 
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