Forum Etiquette Question

Hm. There is mention of running searches to avoid multiple threads on the same topic. But if you do have the same issue as another person but want more information or have comments, it really is uncomfortable to post on their thread, because it feels like I'm horning in. Here the guy is talking about his issues, and here I come to talk about my own issues on his thread. Even if he may find some value in the additional information, I think there are plenty of people would be offended. But if I post another thread, I'm making multiple threads.

What is the correct procedure?

Common sense should prevail. If your problem is the same as one being discussed on a current thread, by all means join in the discussion.

Yea I am guilty of hijacking a thread or 2 but in the end we all got a solution.

You are not hijacking a thread if you have the same problem.

What bends my brain is the guy/gal who gets one question answered, and then says--"Here's another one." Naturally, it is unrelated to the thread title.

Did someone say "use common sense"? Ah yes...

Originally Posted by pixellany You are not hijacking a thread if you have the same problem. What bends my brain is the guy/gal who gets one question answered, and then says--"Here's another one." Naturally, it is unrelated to the thread title.

Well, that would be me. I did it because I was talking to someone who clearly likes talking about linux and one topic ran into another, and rather than parse it out over the forum and see my name emblazoned everywhere, I figured anyone who wanted the answer to the first question already had the answer. More discretion this way, don't you think?

Did someone say "use common sense"? Ah yes...

I'm sorry-have I said something to offend you?

Originally Posted by Redshift I'm sorry-have I said something to offend you?

What??????!!!!! Where is this coming from?

Actually, the example you quote maybe sortof fits the common sense definition.

I see. I thought you were saying I lacked common sense since I recently asked more questions on a single thread to the tune of two pages. But, the guy was so gracious and sacrificial as it was that I didn't want to burden him further by sparsing it out and making him open a series of posts. And since the original common sense comment was directed toward me, it stood to reason that this was an affirmation of that in a second context. So I probably misinterpreted what you were saying, and if that's the case, I apologize.

Most people think a message board is just another kind of chat program. Heck, I was even reprimanded once by a site admin for making similar comments. He wen't so far as to rename that section of the site "chat boards" just to spite me. The lengths some people will go to "prove" themselves right... etiquette and common sense didn't stand a chance. http://www.collectors-society.com/

Crito, I think I see what you're saying. And I'd like to hear more about your insights. And everyone else please chime in, too. I guess I'm just thinking that etiquette is a lot more than how much to post, where, how much to say, to whom, by whom, with what descriptors,...I mean, one could write an entire manual on how to use a forum and no one would ever get down to business and talk. But, if most people think it's another chat program, then I guess to some extent it *is.* And that's why most people think it. And really the point of etiquette is to be thinking of other people and to treat them the way we would be wanted to treated ourselves. Of course people who are new make mistakes because they are completely unaware that something they are doing is causing a problem. But they learn along the way. You know, though, I've seen people who've read every sticky and can recite the general protocols by heart, but you could never describe their conduct as courteous. No Emily Post posts. And that isn't really etiquette either, is it? So, I think common sense isn't so common as it may seem. But I'd like to hear your say on this.

A new sticky to a person who's been at the forum all along is one sticky. Not a big deal. But to a newcomer, there's a compilation of about 30 of those, plus the user agreement, many forums also have a seperate code of conduct, then there's the newcomers please read first that most forums have...I mean, you really have to study a manual before you say your first word. And that causes some problems, too, I think, especially for people who are new.

But again, I'm very open to hearing your wisdom on the matter.

With regards to the original question, if a given thread basically covers the same question you want to ask, feel free to post in that existing thread. Your situation doesn't need to be exactly the same as the OP's, but as long as the general question is similar, go ahead and add to that existing thread. Just like typical face-to-face conversations, a given discussion may bounce around a little bit while still remaining focused on a single topic. It's no different here in the LQ forums

What's not OK is to hijack a thread, which means that someone tries to steer the thread in a totally different direction. Example:

OP: I want 1280x1024 resolution but am only getting 1024x768 - how can I fix this? A1: It could just be a misconfiguration - what's in your xorg.conf file? A2: What make/model of video card are you using? A3: Also, is your monitor capable of displaying 1280x1024? B1: How do I set up wireless access on my laptop?

Obviously "B1" is hijacking the thread, and clearly it would be better for him/her to start a new thread about what clearly it a totally different topic.

Well, there used to be a thing called "netiquette" which has all but been forgotten today.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netiquette

Certain rules of unspoken etiquette are recommended to be followed when using Internet forums. They include: * One should read all the rules and guidelines established by the community; some communities may have different regulations on a particular subject. * One should always be courteous. * Before creating a new topic thread, one is advised to search to see if a similar topic already exists. * Contributors should follow standard grammar and spelling rules and avoid slang. * If the forum is categorized, one should strive to post in the correct section. * When making a technical inquiry, one should include as much technical information as possible, especially in the subject line. * Contributors are asked to stay on-topic. * Contributors should avoid double posting and Crossposting. * To avoid appearing self-absorbed, one should respond to topics started by others more often than starting topics of their own. * Contributors should avoid the use of all CAPITAL LETTERS in posts. All CAPS is considered "shouting" and causes readability issues. * One is advised not to resurrect a very old topic if nothing significant will be added. This practice is known as revival or Necroing. * One should try to refrain from lashing back at a poorly behaving member or participating in a flame war; instead, notify the messageboard's staff of the event. * When quoting a previous post, one should only include the relevant portion of that post. Contributors are requested to keep in mind that their audience can likely still see the message they are quoting on the same screen and can read it again if need be.

Basically if you've had a similar problem to someone else and you start a new thread on it someone will moan that there are multiple threads on the same subject. If you use the existing thread then someone will accuse you of thread hijacking. Whatever you do someone will moan!

My best advice would be to use a little common sense, and if someone insists on moaning whatever you do for no reason then ignore them.

Originally Posted by hand of fate Basically if you've had a similar problem to someone else and you start a new thread on it someone will moan that there are multiple threads on the same subject. If you use the existing thread then someone will accuse you of thread hijacking. [snip]

If you have a similar problem, wouldn't it be better to read the other thread(s) to see if your question was answered there before you create a new thread? Then, when you start your new thread, you should reference the other thread(s) and explain why your question was not answered in the other thread(s), or how it is different from the question(s) asked there.

In other words, let us know that you've done your homework before asking for help. Please.

Originally Posted by PTrenholme If you have a similar problem, wouldn't it be better to read the other thread(s) to see if your question was answered there before you create a new thread? Then, when you start your new thread, you should reference the other thread(s) and explain why your question was not answered in the other thread(s), or how it is different from the question(s) asked there. In other words, let us know that you've done your homework before asking for help. Please.

Yes, it's a good practice and I do this. But sometimes a thread doesn't cover what I need, or there are nuances of the other person's problem that don't match mine or what have you. But it's true: this is a no-win situation. People will always feel their thread is their own, I suppose, and think others are steering the conversation toward themselves by adding to a post, I guess. I think they think, "Hey! Do you mind? I'm getting help for my situation here. Would you mind getting your own thread so people will help me and not you on the thread I took the trouble to start?" Of course, it's a perspective issue. What's good for the seller isn't always what the buyer likes, and the same is true the other way around. What pleases the poster is not what pleases the rest of the crowd, and what pleases the rest of the crowd does not please the individual poster, I find. So, there really is no common sense about this...it's just an uncomfortable reality.

Crito, thank you for posting that. A good reminder.

Hand of fate, yes-exactly.

JW, those are good tips. Thank you.