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05/18/2007 10:45:39 AM · #1 |
Observations:
1. User A starts a thread asking for help/advice/comments on whatever and gets little or no response from anyone. User B starts a thread asking essentially the same thing a few days later and gets dozens of useful responses. What was wrong with user A's question?
2. Somewhere in a thread:
User A, in response to the OP, "The sky is blue."
User B blah, blah, blah.
User C blah, blah, blah.
User D blah, blah, blah.
User E, in response to the OP, "The sky is blue.
User F "Wow user E, that is so insightful. I knew there was an answer."
User G (quotes user E) and adds "I agree with you. I knew someone would figure it out."
User H (quotes user E and G) "blah blah blah"
etc.
3. User A posts a pic and asks for comments/advice on how to improve and gets basically no response. User B posts a pic and asks for comments/advice on how to improve and gets dozens of responses.
So what is the dynamic operating here that basically seems to leave a percentage of the people who participate in the forums (a community function) as 'loners'?
Does this make sense (my post)? I see this regularly in the forums and have yet to figure out why some people get essentially no responses and others get numerous responses to the same questions/requests? |
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05/18/2007 10:47:44 AM · #2 |
<--- USER B
Blah Blah Blah
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05/18/2007 10:49:02 AM · #3 |
<=== User C Blah blah blah
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05/18/2007 10:55:35 AM · #4 |
The answer might lie in the distinct possibility that the posters might be seeking input from two totally different groups, as the participants are not always the same.
That, coupled with the time frame when the question was asked might be contributing factors to the difference in the number of response.
Lastly, the manner in which the question was asked may also be something that could impact on the number of responses received. If one poses a long rambling question, it is quite conceivable that the responses generated may not be as bountiful as they might be in those instances where the question was clear, concise and comprehensive.
I may very well be wrong in my interpretation as to the reasons why, but they are factors that could be considered.
Ray |
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05/18/2007 10:55:36 AM · #5 |
Boys! Behave yourselves!
I think there are a few things operating here:
1) Random chance. Probably the biggest thing.
2) Time of day. US users tend to be more active when it's not 3am here, and as far as I can tell, US users are still the largest group.
3) Interest in the specific shot being asked about.
4) Name recognition. Some people are well-known for being helpful, friendly, etc. When they post a question, they might be more likely to get responses because they've already demonstrated their willingness to return the favor.
That said, I think everyone sometimes gets overlooked.
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05/18/2007 10:58:48 AM · #6 |
Hey, Chris. Since Frick and Frack are being oh so helpful, I'll chime in with some thoughts. I often feel ignored in threads, which makes me less likely to post, but I think it comes down to three things:
1. Luck of the draw -- often people just miss the post and it goes unnoticed.
2. Perception -- languague doesn't translate well in forums and emotions can be easily misconstrued. This makes people take a perception of someone's personality that may or may not be right, but given that they have nothing else to go on, they react to people based on those perceptions. That may make some people less likely to get a response.
3. Sociability - some people are simply more well socially adjusted, or comfortable in social situations, and other people tend to gravitate to those people. I am not particularly good at being social, so I think this makes people less likely to want to talk to me, probably because it seems like I don't want to talk to them. While this isn't necessarily true, I think it comes across in how I communicate. Take this post for instance. In looking back at it, it seems very cold and analytical, because that's how I think. Not very warm and fuzzy, and probably not very inviting for conversation.
Just some thoughts. |
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05/18/2007 10:59:03 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by levyj413:
Boys! Behave yourselves!
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Yes, you are right, we should behave ourselves.
OK seriously, I think you nailed it.
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05/18/2007 11:00:17 AM · #8 |
Hey Gary! Ok, what about example number 2? I see this all the time. Right down to the exact same verbiage used. Why doesn't the first user get noticed? Why is it so great when a subsequent user says the same thing - exactly?
Message edited by author 2007-05-18 11:03:51. |
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05/18/2007 11:02:45 AM · #9 |
The sky is blue because the suns rays bounce off the oceans and reflect that light.
About your other question...it has happened to me a lot too, I vote for time of day.
Message edited by author 2007-05-18 11:03:55. |
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05/18/2007 11:06:43 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by DefyTime:
it has happened to me a lot too. |
That's becuase you killed TomFoolery
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05/18/2007 11:06:49 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by DefyTime:
The sky is blue because the suns rays bounce off the oceans and reflect that light.
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Hate to burst your bubble, but that is not why the sky is blue. |
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05/18/2007 11:08:11 AM · #12 |
| I also think that a factor in responses (or lack of them) is the OP's willingness to do some research on their own ... some people are lazy and don't want to search for any information ... just post a question and expect the rest of the community to just jump and answer ... some people who post questions have done research and are just asking to have something cleared up ... |
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05/18/2007 11:09:45 AM · #13 |
Ofcourse you could just say something controversial and the thread will go on until it gets out of control and SC has to lock it. :-D
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05/18/2007 11:12:20 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Ofcourse you could just say something controversial and the thread will go on until it gets out of control and SC has to lock it. :-D |
had some experience with that, eh?! |
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05/18/2007 11:12:28 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by eqsite:
3. Sociability - some people are simply more well socially adjusted, or comfortable in social situations, and other people tend to gravitate to those people. I am not particularly good at being social, so I think this makes people less likely to want to talk to me, probably because it seems like I don't want to talk to them. While this isn't necessarily true, I think it comes across in how I communicate. Take this post for instance. In looking back at it, it seems very cold and analytical, because that's how I think. Not very warm and fuzzy, and probably not very inviting for conversation.
Just some thoughts. |
eqsite, for what it's worth, I think your entire post was well-written, pleasant in tone, and a perfect example of a constructive post. :)
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05/18/2007 11:12:36 AM · #16 |
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05/18/2007 11:13:18 AM · #17 |
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05/18/2007 11:13:34 AM · #18 |
Oh, as B getting the accolades for saying the same thing as A, it can really just be related to who said it most recently. Esp. in a long thread.
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05/18/2007 11:14:27 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Ofcourse you could just say something controversial and the thread will go on until it gets out of control and SC has to lock it. :-D |
The sky is not blue!! Who in the hell says it's blue? You've got to be kidding me. You have got to blind, or don't know your colors.
The sky is Turquoise.
End of discussion.
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05/18/2007 11:15:02 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by CEJ:
Hey Gary! Ok, what about example number 2? I see this all the time. Right down to the exact same verbiage used. Why doesn't the first user get noticed? Why is it so great when a subsequent user says the same thing - exactly? |
Uh, kind of like your response to me? Levy413 and RayEither basically said much of what I said, yet you responded to me. My guess is that your are either making a point, noticed my response and replied to it without seeing the other responses, or because you know me, you felt more comfortable responding to me.
I know I get nervous posting in the forums (it's silly, but I do -- I generally get nervous talking to strangers, and that's ultimately what the forums are). So I'm more comfortable speaking up when someone else I know is participating in the forum. And therefore my responses tend to acknowledge those people more than others. |
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05/18/2007 11:15:48 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by American_Horse:
The sky is Turquoise.
End of discussion. |
Not if you use a polarizer.
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05/18/2007 11:16:38 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by NstiG8tr:
Originally posted by American_Horse:
The sky is Turquoise.
End of discussion. |
Not if you use a polarizer. |
Or graduated red filters.
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05/18/2007 11:17:09 AM · #23 |
Originally posted by levyj413:
eqsite, for what it's worth, I think your entire post was well-written, pleasant in tone, and a perfect example of a constructive post. :) |
Thanks, Jeff. |
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05/18/2007 11:19:21 AM · #24 |
This is a great question. I often wonder why this happens myself. It's frustrating, especially when people go out of their way to not answer questions asked in all sincerity by people that could really use some help. I think the dynamic here, like most everywhere else, is one of social popularity.
And I agree as well that eqsite's post was right on. :P |
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05/18/2007 11:25:54 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by levyj413:
Oh, as B getting the accolades for saying the same thing as A, it can really just be related to who said it most recently. Esp. in a long thread. |
Ooo - I never get to quote myself. But in this case, I realized it happened here! Ray beat my post by one second (and Ray, you weren't one of the boys I was telling to behave), with eqsite coming in a couple of minutes later. We all said similar things.
So you read along, absorb all of it, and decide to respond to someone. Who you gonna respond to? Often the last thing you read.
No harm done. :)
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