Forum Suggestion

[BonzoDog]

The etiquette of the Forum seems to indictae that when somebody gives a compliment, the receiver sends a 'Thank you' reply. Nice though this is, it does clutter up a thread with a surfeit of politeness.
Another Forum to which I belong has a 'Thank You' button beside the 'reply' buttom attached to each post. Clicking the Thank You adds a small 'Thank you' box at the bottom of the bottom of the post with the name(s) of the person saying 'Thank you'. It saves space, time and makes it easy to say 'Thank You'
- Please, no 'thank you's.'

[EJB]

I agree on the over politeness. However, I do find on Forums as you describe, it puts pressure on posters to 'thank or not to thank'? :)

[BonzoDog]

I agree on the over politeness. However, I do find on Forums as you describe, it puts pressure on posters to 'thank or not to thank'? :)

I only belong to one other Forum and I don't feel any pressure and nor it seems do others. People tend to get thanks for usefull posts rtaher than complimentary posts.

[Chuck S.]

Well....here's a friendly opposing viewpoint:

I'm one of those perhaps naive people who believes this world would be a whole lot better place if more people smiled and said "Please" and "Thank You" more often. If someone is moved to return thanks, I say that's a good thing. The mechanics of this forum make it easy to read - or skip over - replies in a thread without having to open them. Very little time and bandwidth consumed.

This is a great place, with few rules; the one unwritten one that fortunately dominates is "Stay positive and supportive".

But....thanks for your suggestion!

:)

Chuck

[BonzoDog]

Well....here's a friendly opposing viewpoint:

I'm one of those perhaps naive people who believes this world would be a whole lot better place if more people smiled and said "Please" and "Thank You" more often. If someone is moved to return thanks, I say that's a good thing. The mechanics of this forum make it easy to read - or skip over - replies in a thread without having to open them. Very little time and bandwidth consumed.

This is a great place, with few rules; the one unwritten one that fortunately dominates is "Stay positive and supportive".

But....thanks for your suggestion!

:)
Chuck
Er, so you agree?
In my experience the Thank you button is extremely positive and gets more response than having to write replies. It also saves follow on readers having to read the individual thank you's - they can see them all at a glance and who they are from.

[msbrad]

Thank you Chuck!:D
My thoughts exactly.
m

[skstarkiller]

I have to agree with Chuck on this one. Not only is it polite to say thank you, but it is also reassuring to know that people read replies. I also belive it is what sets this forum apart from so many others.

[kimh]

I think our forum is our own 'other' family. I don't think any of has mind taking the time to thank, or read others thanks. Thats just the way we are around here.
Kimh

[kroberts]

Well....here's a friendly opposing viewpoint:

I'm one of those perhaps naive people who believes this world would be a whole lot better place if more people smiled and said "Please" and "Thank You" more often. If someone is moved to return thanks, I say that's a good thing. The mechanics of this forum make it easy to read - or skip over - replies in a thread without having to open them. Very little time and bandwidth consumed.

This is a great place, with few rules; the one unwritten one that fortunately dominates is "Stay positive and supportive".

But....thanks for your suggestion!

:)

Chuck

I agree with Chuck and the others, politeness is a good thing. We're friends and family here! There is no pressure to respond to someone's post, but it happens because of the friendliness and support on this forum!:) A "thank you button" as you've described would take the personal touch away from this group...and that's what makes this forum different from most others!

[SCRAPPYGIRL]

I agree with Chuck, Phil, Michelle and the Kims. We are "family" here and as such we enjoy the personal connection with one another. I would much rather say a few kind words of thanks to my siblings than to simply push a button.

But as Chuck said, Thanks for the suggestion!

[lindajay]

Another "amen" to Chuck's words from me. When someone recognizes one of my images, it's a joy to be able to tell them how much it encourages me, etc. Because it does! Clicking a "thank you" button seems sort of like saying "Hi-how-are-ya" without waiting for a reply. It just becomes routine.

It reminds me of the old joke about the prison inmates who would tell the same 37 jokes over and over. So someone came up with the idea of numbering them, and just hollering out the number when they wanted to tell the joke. So one fellow hollers "17" and everyone cracks up, laughing. Another hollers "23" and, again, everyone laughs. A third guy holers out "12" and no one laughs. "Why don't you ever laugh at MY jokes?" he asks. "Isn't 12 funny?" "Sure," his cell mate answers, "It's usually funny, but it's all in the way you tell it."

[I'd rather hear the joke. And the thank-yous.]

[NMarti]

Add me to the list of agree-ers (hey it works for me). I don't, however think every single post in a thread needs an individual thank you. I tend to group several thank you's into one post because it does make the thread somewhat tedious to read when it has 50 posts and 25 are thank you's. I've seen some where you have to go back two pages to find the original post. I do try to recognize each poster individually in that one thank you though unless I'm late to the thread and there are 10 or 15 posts. If someone has taken the time to let me know they appreciate something, the least I can do is say thank you.

[kimi_boo]

The etiquette of the Forum seems to indictae that when somebody gives a compliment, the receiver sends a 'Thank you' reply. Nice though this is, it does clutter up a thread with a surfeit of politeness.
Another Forum to which I belong has a 'Thank You' button beside the 'reply' buttom attached to each post. Clicking the Thank You adds a small 'Thank you' box at the bottom of the bottom of the post with the name(s) of the person saying 'Thank you'. It saves space, time and makes it easy to say 'Thank You'
- Please, no 'thank you's.'

Thanks... But NO Thanks!! :D We are a friendly group and happen to enjoy a thank you now and then. If anything, it bothers me that someone will show up with a question and 3 or 4 people post a response to help. Then you never hear back if it worked or not. A simple Thank You would have been nice.

[GaryK]

I kind of like the idea (thank you button) on the surface.:rolleyes: :D .

I do think it would take away from the spirit of the forum though.

It kind of reminds me of something a friend said to me once about email forwards.
"If they won't spend the time to write a note or a hi, then I won't spend the time to read it.":)
It seems that everything has gotten so automatic that it takes some of the personal touch out of life.

Now.. it would be nice to have a way to include a thank you in the original message or at least the resolving message to cut down on clutter, but then my house isn't clutter free, so who am I to critisize.:D

[mrod]

One of the unique things about this forum seems to be that people give compliments without expecting a "thank you" to follow. I'm all for less clutter (in everything!) but I'm also all for the personal touch and the thought and care behind a longer, thought-out response. Heck, I've even been known to send a piece of snail mail now and then...:D

Mike

PS Oh, and Linda? 19!!!

[lindajay]

Mike :D . You know how to tell them!

[snidely]

Hi,
I can see both sides of this one, but I'll vote for the friendly "Thank You" and agree that it costs nothing and adds a lot to this forum.

I used to follow a "HTML Help" group which featured one regular who was offended by the fact that nobody would post a "You're welcome" in response to his "Thank you for your help".

It's a slippery slope, folks:)

Have fun,
Steve

[lindajay]

Add me to the list of agree-ers (hey it works for me). I don't, however think every single post in a thread needs an individual thank you. . .

I agree, Nancy. No one needs to be keeping count! The way it has been has been so natural and relaxed that I don't think anyone has had any hurt feelings or anything. It's just a friendly bunch of people who express themselves openly to each other, and I don't see a reason to change it.

[ChristineV]

Thanks... But NO Thanks!! :D We are a friendly group and happen to enjoy a thank you now and then. If anything, it bothers me that someone will show up with a question and 3 or 4 people post a response to help. Then you never hear back if it worked or not. A simple Thank You would have been nice.

I agree Kimi. I think this would also apply to PMs asking for info, techniques etc or How'd you do that and after an answer not getting even a Thanks. Sorry, was that off topic? :cool:

I tend to group thank yous into one post also as much as I can.

[apasskey]

I agree with Chuck, Phil, Michelle and the Kims. We are "family" here and as such we enjoy the personal connection with one another. I would much rather say a few kind words of thanks to my siblings than to simply push a button.

But as Chuck said, Thanks for the suggestion!

Me too!! Andie

[ME100FINN]

Hmm - interesting topic. I like the personal touch of this forum. I feel like part of a family. Do I expect my brothers and sisters to pat me on the back for every single item I post? No, but it sure makes my day when they do. This is unique to the form as others have stated.

BUT - I do understnad the flip side on finding information on the threads. It can be rough and we do like to have fun, getting off topic, and even stretching a thread and morphing it into a "best of..." whatever.

I can only say that when I joined the forum I was rather impressed at the proper thread titles and the topics discussed. Using the thread titles effectively would surely help those searching for the "meat" of a thread much easier.

There, is everyone happy now? hmmmm

[bayhli]

I think the thank you button would be useful as an option. It wouldn't stop me from responding with a more elaborate thank you when I felt moved to do so, nor would I be offended to receive a "buttoned" thank you. It's still an appreciative response in my view.

I do like the idea of the thank you(s) being on the related post. For everything there is a time and place and since we are a polite and close-knit group, I can't see that a button as an extra option would change that to any great degree.

[Kathy]

I definitely agree with Chuck's sentiments and with Nancy also regarding the number of "thank yous".

A quote from Grant Dixon's Challenge comes to mind ....

"Creativity is so delicate a flower that praise tends to make it bloom, while discouragement often nips it in the bud. Any of us will put out more and better ideas if our efforts are appreciated. " - Alexander Osborn

Kathy

[Pauline]

So much in our fast paced world has become automated. We call a number and get a recording, not a real person, until we've listened to about 5 minutes of 'if you want.........press...........' (love it when I'm calling long distance). Yes sometimes we get off topic, but this group is always encouraging and that little extra bit of personal attention I think makes the difference.

I tend to try and thank everyone who has helped or complimented me in one reply rather than posting a separate one for each person and hope I don't forget anyone. It's very easy to skip along to the next post if it's not something that interests you.

This has been an extremely friendly forum right from the beginning and I for one don't want to see that change.

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Well I have been around since the forum started and we always have been more friendly and chatty then most other forums ...

... my belief is that the way the forum is encourages people to ask questions and thats the way we all learn.

Now as far as a thank you button ... originally there was something like that. Its was a sort of was this message useful and helpful type (I can't remember the exact working). It also kept a score of how many "good" ratings you got :) and how many "bad" ones :(.

We discussed it on the forum decided it wasn't the sort of thing we wanted and as it was considered divisive so we asked for it to be removed ...

They removed it for us.

Wendy

[e-mailsucks]

To me, this is a very Personal Forum. When someone is helping me, I take it very personal. When I'm successful from their help or compliment, I couldn't imagine pushing a "Thank you" button from all the help they provided for me. I will always thank them with a small note and not just push a button. My life is very busy, but not that busy!

Brian :)

[BonzoDog]

I have yet to hear anything that is any way an argument against a thank you button. It does not stop peopel sending personal notes. It allows people like me, who are v. busy and I am sure Iam not the only one to add a thanks.
However I have to get on wth other things.

[NMarti]

Of course you won't hear an argument. We don't argue here. :D

I'm sure as they read this thread the administrators will take it under consideration.

[TonyW]

Of course you won't hear an argument. We don't argue here. :D

Nancy - Thank You for reminding us of that :D

Tony

[SCRAPPYGIRL]

I just went back and re-read this entire thread and I seem to be hearing that most of the members of this forum prefer to say thanks in person and not just push a button - or am I missing something.

[msbrad]

Carol,
I think you are reading it correctly.

I will continue to personally do my "Thank you's".

I should probably add an open bar and an all you can eat buffet!
That's how much I appreciate help from y'all!
m

[kimi_boo]

I have yet to hear anything that is any way an argument against a thank you button. It does not stop peopel sending personal notes. It allows people like me, who are v. busy and I am sure Iam not the only one to add a thanks.
However I have to get on wth other things.

I have heard plenty against a button. Did you not read everyone's responses? If you are too busy to add a thank you then by all means don't. Everyone will still be helpful when you ask a question or have a problem.
You have stumbled into a very different kind of forum here. We love it and don't want to become modernized. We are more of a family!
Again, Thanks but No thanks.

That was one of the things I strived for when I found this group. Everyone was so helpful and I felt like I kept coming back over and over asking questions. I wanted to know enough to be able to answer others questions. This forum just makes you feel that way. :D I think because of that we all push ourselves to learn.

I think a big THANKS goes to Wendy and the others that were here when it started. They are the ones that made it what it is today.

PS. Tony, I tried not too...

[virgo1]

The single best part of this forum is All Of Us. When I'm feeling down hanging out here is the best medicine.:)
Eva;)

[Robyn]

No button pushing for me thank you. IMO this forum is just perfect the way it is. Let's keep the 'family' structure intact!

[Jancy]

I'll pass on the push button thank you!
I like things just the way the are.
Thanks :D

[douglas m scott]

In My opinion a Thank You Button is about as personal as buying an Occasion Card from Wal Mart,
Doug

[Bayla]

I'm also in favour of the personal touch but like Nancy (I think it was) I will sometimes save up my thanks yous and put them all into one post, still making them personal enough by referring to people by name or to specific things they have said.

I don't think anyone here will get offended if they don't receive a thank you, so if you're pushed for time & don't say thank you we'll understand:)

Bayla

[NRiceDesigns]

No button pushing for me thank you. IMO this forum is just perfect the way it is. Let's keep the 'family' structure intact!
I love this forum partly because of the family atmosphere. Before joining I was a member of several other groups (photography & design), but some of them were quite stuffy, arguing about whose designs were best, etc. The PET forum is quite refreshing. I've recently discovered another forum with the same friendly, family atmosphere (digitalscrapbookplace) & have been spending a lot of time there.

I prefer to write a personal thank you rather than click a button. Like others, I try to combine them into one post when I can. AND my family here knows that if I don't respond, it's because my short-term memory is shot due to chronic health problems & sometimes I might ask a question, then not remember it for a couple of weeks. Those who "love me" :) understand.

[AngelicKim]

Don't know how I missed this thread. I agree with the personal touch. This forum is great the way it is. Some threads do have Thank You after each post someone makes but so what that is their way of being themselves. Some of us wait a few post and then acknowledge all the post so far and come back later and do the same as not to clutter a thread. However we decide to post a thank you is out way and we are accepting of each persons way. That is the great thing about this forum of friends and family. If you can't see that than I think you are not fully reading what everyone has said those far in this thread.

[jazzfisher]

Thank You!!!!!
It's fun to say--so I'll keep saying it:)

[chas3stix]

Hey folks,
Let's leave the button pushing to the Staples commercials....:D
Thank yous will never go out of style.....George M. Cohan said it very susinctly,
"My father thanks you,my mother thanks you,and I thank you." See, thank yous have been around for a long time and will remain as such.
Chas