Removal of the 'Thanks' button on discussion boards?

Own_My_Own

OffGridLiving wrote: »

LOL, true and some of the best conversations (online or IRL) are often those that come from out of the blue. However, as this is a thread in the Feeback area I thought I'd be strict.

Besides, that poster would have more luck with his/her own thread, rather than losing their message in a thread about something else.

But it an open forum. You can't tell people what to post and where.

And I very much doubt the poster is bothered enough about it to start their own thread.
It was just an observation.

torbrex

OffGridLiving wrote: »

Then what is the 'thanks count' there for if not to indicate how helpful a member is?

you seem to have got it into your head that it is there to show how helpful a member is and if you want to use the stat that way then carry on but I would suggest that most peeps don't use it that way and seldom even look at the figure, they read the post, click the button (or not) and move on.

if you are doing it for the post count then you are doing it for the wrong reason.

Coopdivi

OffGridLiving wrote: »

Hi, sorry could you please create another thread about your issue? This one is about the Thanks facility and it'd be great if it didn't go off on a tangent. Also, your issue would be better served on its own thread as it'd get a wider audience of people interested in the same discussion.

Cheers and good luck.

As you've been a member for five minutes - well, with this user name anyway - may I respectfully suggest that you wind yer neck in? I'll post where I like and what I like unless MSE disagree with me :cool:

Anyway, as you said on another thread you're 'having cyclical discussions with the same people on the same topics'.

Incidentally if and when re-wired makes his/her first post, I hope to be the among the first to thank him

Arachne_2

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

I believe the Thanks button was introduced to avoid people making one word posts to say thanks, and by the same token it also avoids unnecessary posts just saying "I agree". One of the annoying things about web forums (fora?) is when you see that there are new posts, go to the "trouble" of opening the thread and scrolling down it, only to find someone has said "thanks" or "I agree".

Exactly. I use the Thanks button if someone's posted something helpful, but I also use it when I agree with someone, I'm so pleased that's an option rather than posting "I agree".

Mind you, I've also used it in the Arms when someone's made me laugh out loud.

OffGridLiving

torbrex wrote: »

you seem to have got it into your head that it is there to show how helpful a member is and if you want to use the stat that way then carry on but I would suggest that most peeps don't use it that way and seldom even look at the figure, they read the post, click the button (or not) and move on.

if you are doing it for the post count then you are doing it for the wrong reason.

Again, if it's not used, then why have it?

If it is used, then what is it used for?

This is really what I'm trying to find out. I'm sure that having a Thanks button and Thanks count was originally intended as a guide to how helpful someone was, but as you say, as time has gone by and the popularity of the site has grown, that purpose has been lost.

My point is that perhaps it's time to remove it? I don't think I'm saying anything you haven't said yourself, indeed you want to go further and get rid of the 'post count'. To be honest, as we are in agreement, I'm not sure why you continue to have a go at me?

OffGridLiving

I must admit that I'm at a loss as to why I have been attacked on this thread. The whole point of this particular board is to give feedback and suggestions. I gave feedback and a suggestion and fully expected a wide range of responses from people who agreed or disagreed, with an explanation of their stance.

What I certainly didn't expect was a series of personal attacks. I appreciate people might have strong feelings about this issue and perhaps resent a newbie from 'interfering', but often new people can offer a new perspective.

If you disagree with altering the 'thanks' facility then please attack the idea, but please stop the personal attacks. They're really not necessary.

OffGridLiving

Another question... What is the point of a feedback board if the forum administrators don't comment/provide feedback or even give an acknowledgement that they saw the thread?

Seems a bit of a waste of time even posting in here, akin to shouting down a well?

Quasar

Who says that the Arms, DT and House Debate do not contain posts that are helpful to others?

Just spend some time on these boards and you will see that many opinions sought and given ARE of much help. Just because we chat and banter doesn't mean we have nothing useful to say and money saving can be indirectly achieved by various forms of help, not necessarily requested in terms of direct, hard cash saving.

Quasar

OffGridLiving wrote: »

Again, if it's not used, then why have it?

If it is used, then what is it used for?

This is really what I'm trying to find out. I'm sure that having a Thanks button and Thanks count was originally intended as a guide to how helpful someone was, but as you say, as time has gone by and the popularity of the site has grown, that purpose has been lost.

My point is that perhaps it's time to remove it? I don't think I'm saying anything you haven't said yourself, indeed you want to go further and get rid of the 'post count'. To be honest, as we are in agreement, I'm not sure why you continue to have a go at me?

You are not being attacked. Your are being disagreed with. See the difference?

coolcait

There are so many different reasons why someone might 'thank' a post. Just as there are many different ways for a poster to be 'helpful'.

For example, on many threads, the OP will 'thank' every reply - even if every reply simply says 'I don't know what to say, but didn't want to just read and run'.

It's like a 'thanks for taking the time to read and reply/thanks for caring', rather than a 'thanks for helping me solve this problem'.

Some posters also find it more 'helpful' to get that kind of emotional support, rather than a more practical 'have you tried this? what about that?' approach.

There's also no way to tell, at a glance, where the 'thanks' were acquired.

So, I wouldn't recommend looking at the number of 'thanks' a poster has received in order to guage the likely the accuracy and helpfulness of a reply.

Someone may be an expert on motoring issues, and have received many 'thanks' for their expert and accurate advice in that area. But, perhaps they haven't the first clue about gardening issues, yet regularly post old-wives tales and suggestions on the gardening board.

So, if you were to take their gardening advice, simply because you saw that they'd received a high number of 'thanks', your garden wouldn't thank you for that