A few board observations...

[Kick Save]

I'm with ya, blue. I've been here for a while, and it always amazes me the questions that are easily answered by a 2 minute visit to the disney web site get fired off. I understand doing it in a place where you feel comfortable, and this place has that comforting feeling.

But, the biggies that I know will NEVER die, and make no more sense now than before are: "What will the weather be like on my trip?" followed closely by "What will the crowds be like on my trip?" Those get me chuckling everytime...as if people have a view of the future.

For the most part I just pass those by, but always get a chuckle when I see the crowds/weather threads.

With a community this large and constantly growing, though, it's going to continue until these boards go the way of MouseTunes...

 

[Stinky_Pete]

My favorites are the "which is better?" questions. Like "Which restaurant is better?" or "Which resort is better?" It's kind of in the eye of the beholder - it depends on what you like.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Well here is my 2 cents!

1st - it is easier to ask again then look through the threads. I will say this by comparing it to my job. I actually wrote a step by step manual for completing an automated form. Most every question that I get a phone call about could be answered if they read the document which is not very long and contains GIANT pictures (screen prints) on every page. This is not a HUGE manual -- takes 10 minutes top to skim through and read every line! Anyway ... people still call and ask anyway because that is the easiest route to take.

2nd - sometimes threads get so long and the signatures are so distracting, I would rather read and respond to a thread that is just started and shorter than the 15 pager of one line messages and huge areas of glittering signature and pictures. Yes I have a signature line. ONE LINE!

OK, I've gotten off my soap box too. This is not to say the OP does have a point.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

2nd - sometimes threads get so long and the signatures are so distracting, I would rather read and respond to a thread that is just started and shorter than the 15 pager of one line messages and huge areas of glittering signature and pictures. Yes I have a signature line. ONE LINE!

I used to just have a counter in my signature. Then I had mutiple counters for mutiple trips. Then my friend died, and I had to put a ribbon up for him. Then I had to support Tigger. Then I have to keep up with the holidays. . . Oops, I went OT.

 

[mrzrich]

See the very things you are complaining about are the things I love about this board.

I hate it when I'm a newbie on a forum and I ask a question only to get jumped on by oldtimers telling me "WE DISCUSSED THAT LAST MONTH!!!!"

I don't mind answering questions, even if I answered the same one yesterday. If I can help somebody enjoy WDW as much as I do, then I'll tell you what time the 3 o'clock parade is!

BTW many of the WDW websites don't have the most recent info. We DISers are more on top of the latest info than some paid WDW "experts"

Also, the search function works....if you can't get it to work, try the advanced search and narrow the forum, sometimes if a search is too broad you won't get results.

 

[cleo]

1) TPA&S moves fast. Sometimes a thread is on page 3 or 4 by the end of the day. We don't expect people to slog through half a dozen pages just to see if someone else posted the same question that week.

2) Imagine the outcry we get when someone's question is deleted, merged, folded, spindled or mutilated in any way. If they ask a similar question, chances are it will stay. If it's right under the thread with the exact same question it might get deleted, but that doesn't happen often. Occasionally, if the origianl thread is long, the new one might be deleted or merged.

3) People have the right to answer in any way they see fit, as long as it doesn't break board guidelines.

However, this thread IS off topic, and that's a big no-no, right? So it's off to Community Board!

 

[cardaway]

1. I know the search function has been rendered USELESS, but would it really hurt to spend a couple of minutes doing a quick scan of thread titles in the first 5-10 pages to see if what you are asking about has already been discussed in the last few days?

I totally agreee with that one. I really wish this board had a one thread per topic rule.

 

[DawnCt1]

I just joined a few weeks ago as we prepare for our trip in a couple of weeks. Also, since we only go every few years, I will probably not frequent this board on a daily basis a month or so after we come back.


That being said, here are a few observations...

1. I know the search function has been rendered USELESS, but would it really hurt to spend a couple of minutes doing a quick scan of thread titles in the first 5-10 pages to see if what you are asking about has already been discussed in the last few days?


Okay...feel free to flame away.

Here's a little flame. Just because it appeared 5 to 10 days ago, perhaps there are new opinions, new thoughts, different posters. A travel board has TONS of repeat questions, answers, opinions, thoughts. It is the way it is. I don't see what the big deal is. If you don't want to read it, don't open it.

 

[DawnCt1]

Well here is my 2 cents!



2nd - sometimes threads get so long and the signatures are so distracting, I would rather read and respond to a thread that is just started and shorter than the 15 pager of one line messages and huge areas of glittering signature and pictures. Yes I have a signature line. ONE LINE!

OK, I've gotten off my soap box too. This is not to say the OP does have a point.

YUP, I agree with that!

 

[MagicalMom]

Uhm, didn't someone just post these same observations yesterday?

 

[va32h]

This happens on every message board. I belong to a Harry Potter board, and every day someone shows up and starts a thread about something that everyone has discussed for two or three years. I don't know how the mods have the patience!

I think that boards like that, and this one, where the same sorts of questions get asked over and over, should have a specified period between registering and posting. As in - you can register, but you can't post for a week or something - to give you time to read the FAQ, read the forums, and see what the board is like before diving in. And probably they will find the answer to their question. And even better, a wait between being able to post, and being able to start a new thread.

My "peeve" threads are the ones that ask "will my (toddler, grampa, husband, Aunt Tillie) like (this ride, that hotel, this restaurant)?

How should we know? You're the one related to these people!

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

I didn't think I'd be on the website on a daily basis after my trip either (that was in Nov. and I'm still here).

My original sign up date was in Fab 2005. (I had to change names for some personal issues with a former poster). I said I'd never be back here after my trip in Sept. 2005

 

[Micca]

Repetition is definitely here. I visit other message boards where someone asks an FAQ and they are told to look search for previous posts(an example of this on The Dis might be: Where can I get the best steak?). I guess they count on high traffic here, and that's fine. After all, this is a business venture here, and we Disney fans want to be welcoming to everyone.

 

[mrzrich]

My "peeve" threads are the ones that ask "will my (toddler, grampa, husband, Aunt Tillie) like (this ride, that hotel, this restaurant)?

But if something peeves you, try not to let it bother you, just don't read it.

Repetition is definitely here. I visit other message boards where someone asks an FAQ and they are told to look search for previous posts(an example of this on The Dis might be: Where can I get the best steak?). I guess they count on high traffic here, and that's fine. After all, this is a business venture here, and we Disney fans want to be welcoming to everyone.

See and I find that attitude so unfriendly..I used to go on the Heroes forum on NBC.com and a newbie would say something unoriginal and they would jump all over them. I hated it and subscribed to the Heroes forum here on the DIS where no body is made to feel stupid.

 

[oxfordcircus]

Yes, let us all check 10 pages of threads before we post. Excellent suggestion.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

But if something peeves you, try not to let it bother you, just don't read it.




See and I find that attitude so unfriendly..I used to go on the Heroes forum on NBC.com and a newbie would say something unoriginal and they would jump all over them. I hated it and subscribed to the Heroes forum here on the DIS where no body is made to feel stupid.

Well, just as someone else has already pointed out....the very topic here has been discussed many times. But I don't mind. I'm not sure why people get their panties in a bunch over this stuff. First of all, if you're not planning on coming back to the CB and are only using this site for trip planning, I'm not sure why anyone is over here to begin with. Not much useful trip planning stuff around here. And second....I too find it very rude and unfriendly when people get in a snit and tell someone "this has been asked before". For Gods sake, if someone is new here, they may not know about our WONDERFULLY HELPFUL (not) Search function. Just let it go and let people enjoy themselves.

 

[JR6ooo4]

The big difference is that threads that may be more relevant are flying off the first few pages never to be seen by most, unless you are on the board 24x7.

The problem is the threads that people consider their persoal chat lines. There can be half a page or more at times. They relentlesly bump every other thread type, swiftly and without prejudice.

Moving them all into one sticky on top of the page would be great.

My name is mikeee and this is MY current crusade. Though I have only mentioned it once or twice.

 

[Cantw8]

My original sign up date was in Fab 2005. (I had to change names for some personal issues with a former poster). I said I'd never be back here after my trip in Sept. 2005

Yes, I joined in 2002, just to get some info on Disney cruises.....whoops, I'm still here and BTW, you didn't have to change your name, I got over you uh oh....I just thread-jacked didn't I?????

 

[MAKmom]

I'm with ya, blue. I've been here for a while, and it always amazes me the questions that are easily answered by a 2 minute visit to the disney web site get fired off. I understand doing it in a place where you feel comfortable, and this place has that comforting feeling.

But, the biggies that I know will NEVER die, and make no more sense now than before are: "What will the weather be like on my trip?" followed closely by "What will the crowds be like on my trip?" Those get me chuckling everytime...as if people have a view of the future.

For the most part I just pass those by, but always get a chuckle when I see the crowds/weather threads.

With a community this large and constantly growing, though, it's going to continue until these boards go the way of MouseTunes...

MAKmom taking off her ear-ings & kicking off her Lime Green Crocs

Just Kidding

Not everyone who first gets here is web savvy. Most of us are happy to help & do not mind answering the same questions .

How does asking about the weather & crowds not make sense? The weather & crowds change with each season & holiday? I am going Christmas 2007 & I am very interested in the weather compared to my summer trips. The guide books also tell you about weather & crowds. It is a reasonable question.

 

[va32h]

But if something peeves you, try not to let it bother you, just don't read it.

Isn't that the definition of a peeve though - a little thing that shouldn't bother you, but does

It's not like I stay up nights worrying about it. I just think it's a little silly to ask a bunch of strangers what your relatives might enjoy.

Anyway, I don't advocate being rude to new people that show up on a board asking questions. But the courtesy goes both ways. If you were to show up at a party, you wouldn't walk up to a bunch of people that were already talking and just starting asking questions about anything that popped into your mind would you? No, you'd probably listen for a few minutes, till you knew what the conversation was about, and then join in.

The same concept applies to message boards. It's a courtesy that you extend to the board, read before posting.