Something that bugs me.. opinions please..

[Andy W]

As moderator, I get rather annoyed sometimes (ok, I should drink less coffee) by folks who post topics entitled "A quick question" or "help me now".. you get the idea. One that really ticked me off was "ANSWER ME NOW PLEASE" (in capitals, no less. We all know how obnoxious that is)! Also, in For Sale/Wanted - just LIST THE ITEM, perhaps prefaced with "FS:" or "WTB:"..
The whole point to a SUBJECT field is to enable the casual browser to quickly find topics that would be of interest to them. I am tempted to post a "rules of engagement" style thread to remind people to please, include the subject of their post in the subject!
Am I just too, well, picky, or is this something that would help the average joe (or julie) get thru the day's E-Zone reading..

Opinions?
..a

[Sparky Paul]

It is an aid to have the subject of the message stated in the title..

[Don Sims]

Andy,
In my humble opinion, maybe you have had a bit too much caffeine today. http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/smile.gif I know what you mean about posts with the "Help me now" type of messages, but a lot of these are the second time that a person had done the post. A few have been in other forums with no replies, some haven't. I personally have found "Gems" of information in posts that under a different title I would have never opened. I enjoy the free wheeling information and the diversity of people that post on the Zone!
Don

[Cash Traylor]

Yep!
I agree that the post titles should reflect the content or intended purpose of the thread. I don't know if I can, but can moderators re-title threads? Should they be allowed to (or want to more likely)?

Your post presents another issue that forum "etiquette" should be formalized in some way. The ezone has a FAQ, maybe the discussion forums should have a FAQ or quideline area.

Man, coffee?!? I switched to grande cappuccino's a long time ago! http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/wink.gif

I have also noted that some things thought to be common sense by some, never are to others...

-Cash

[Andy W]

Originally posted by Cash Traylor:
I don't know if I can, but can moderators re-title threads? Should they be allowed to (or want to more likely)?

This would resolve the issue, I think. It would make me happy, anyhow!
..a

[JIMJAM]

R/C and especially helicopters will make you CAPITALIZE EVERYTHING !!! As for me, if caffeine didnt exist, I would have been dead along time ago.

[dave_lilley]

Andy,

Sometimes I feel the same way when I have a bunch of threads to check through. It would be nice if some titles were more terse....

Having said that, I probably violate that rule much too often too. Oh well, at least you got to vent. Now go have a double Mochachino and Kahlua and post some really bizarre threads with obscure subjects under a crazy pseudonym... http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/biggrin.gif

http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/wink.gif

Dave

[tim hooper]

Andy,

Although I share your annoyance at the "Help Me" post titles, I really would be unhappy with censorship just for the sake of convenience (left-wing, freedom of speech, anti-manipulation sort of thing...) http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/eek.gif

To be fair though, I think it's mostly the new members who scream in such a generalised way: the old codgers here seem to compose more specific or deliberately intriguing titles to draw you in to their threads.

Like me, when but a 'newbie' (hadn't heard that word before I came here) most people don't seem to find the FAQ until some big scary Moderator bloke directs them to it, and I think the same would apply to any posting guidelines.

Let's also not forget that English is not everyones first language either.

tim (In my ever-so-humble opinion, Your Honours)

[kfbraun]

My $.02 (you asked) I saw a "Help Newbie" topic posted today. (not a big deal to me and nothing intented to the person that posted it) just using it as an example. I do agree with your thoughts. That topic title should have read "Help Newbie glow to electric" Something that gives you a flavor of what it is about. And that may or could have steered some experts here in which that topic is of special intrest to them. As it was, that person still got many good answers. As far as the "I NEED HELP NOW" Yes not real cool but IMHO I bet that person was new and he felt his entire weekend was in danger for lack of a so much needed answer. (he did come to the right place for that here) I do not agree with the idea of another person changing the topic or content (except unacceptable content which should be deleated) If the moderator is going to take the time to do that he or she may just send a brief note to the poster. In the end you gain the desired result with the bonas is that the poster may never make that mistake again. Just a few days ago I sent a reply. It said "Holly Sh_i (without the dash) what a great covering job" And it was. VERY nice. I kept a copy of the picture. Mr. B keeps a clean and well oiled machine here. Ill also be writing Mr. B about a few ad links that I do not think he is aware of that don not work right. Again not a big deal. I try to visit all the advertizers often to support the cause. Sorry for the ramble. Ken

[leccyflyer]

Originally posted by kfbraun:
"If the moderator is going to take the time to do that he or she may just send a brief note to the poster. In the end you gain the desired result with the bonas is that the poster may never make that mistake again.

What an excellent proposal - two dead birds with one stone. Give a man a fish or teach a man to fish and all that stuff.

cheers

Brian

[steve lewin]

Originally posted by leccyflyer:
What an excellent proposal - two dead birds with one stone. Give a man a fish or teach a man to fish and all that stuff.


I have occasionally sent notes to people posting like that. Among other things I mention that when I'm busy I tend not to even read posts that don't give me any idea what they're about. And anything on all CAPS gets ignored automatically. Life's too short and flying is only a smallish part of it unfortunately. I've had one or two rude replies but most have been reasonable.

However I'm not even tempted to alter people's messages. If they're unacceptable I delete them, if not they can stay. Such people are harming no-one except perhaps themselves, if they annoy too many people here.

Steve