Unhelpful Replies

[Big Kid]

Well I went to a different board seeking some questions about stuff since I had no Idea about there line. I got the rudest answers and I had never posted on that board before. So I left it and I will not support the comapny.

Although usnuzuloose is NOT referring to the DISboards in the quote above, I fear that this happens on occasion to new posters on the DISboards. That is, they ask a "stupid" question of our community, receive a snarky reply or two, and conclude that they are not welcome. I think that's a shame since DISboard members collectively have a goldmine of useful trip planning information and strategies that most members are happy to share with WDW newbies.

 

[Big Kid]

... Personally, I dislike that idea simply because for any one topic on here there are going to be lots of different opinions. If each thread was made up of people who shared one opinion you'd never be able to find anything at all because there would be too many threads. In my opinion, threads are like conversations. They are going to have the normal twists and turns of any other discussion, and the fact that you start the conversation does not mean you are going to be able to control the course it takes. If you want to do that, it makes more sense to start a blog and moderate the comments you allow on there.

I enjoy seeing other people's opinions about things, even if I don't agree with them. Sometimes I do change my mind based on someone else's opinion. I think the people who are so rigid about the answers they want to hear are missing out - maybe they are only considering renting a car, for example, and had never considered riding the bus. They might find out all sorts of useful information about the bus and about Magical Express in response to a question about car rental and because of that they might even change their mind and choose not to rent a car after all. And frankly, I find it a bit rude for someone to try to dictate how people are supposed to respond to them. When I see people doing that on here, I often wonder if they would be that controlling in their "real life". Do they invite people into their living room, ask a question, and then demand that people stay on topic if the conversation starts to drift? Do they criticise someone for introducing another, related topic to the discussion, or for mentioning an option they think the person might not have considered in an effort to be helpful? I can't imagine anyone wanting to associate with someone who would behave that way, and I wonder why some people think it's acceptable to try to dominate the conversation like that just because they are online rather than talking face to face.

I think far too often people are offended by a response simply because the response isn't what they want to hear. If someone can't handle seeing people disagree with them, the internet probably isn't the best place for them. It isn't realistic to expect that people will stay out of "your thread" just because they have differing opinions.

Thank you for your thoughtful response, Scurvy. I agree with you that there is great value in back and forth conversation and exposure to others' opinions . I particularly like the way you put this: "... introducing another, related topic to the discussion, or for mentioning an option they think the person might not have considered in an effort to be helpful?" My apologies if it seemed that I was objecting to people being helpful--that was not my intent.

 

[S. C.]

Oops - almost forgot the rule...

 

[phorsenuf]

Did this thread get moved from another board topic here? There's a bunch of posters names I don't recognize from the CB.
If you're use to hanging out on the CB then you would know we don't play that way.

 

[Scurvy]

Thank you for your thoughtful response, Scurvy. I agree with you that there is great value in back and forth conversation and exposure to others' opinions . I particularly like the way you put this: "... introducing another, related topic to the discussion, or for mentioning an option they think the person might not have considered in an effort to be helpful?" My apologies if it seemed that I was objecting to people being helpful--that was not my intent.

Sorry - I'm sure you didn't mean your post that way. My response was probably based more on other threads I've seen on here. I've seen people get offended or even angry about unwanted advice they've received on "their" threads and I just don't understand it. I can remember threads where someone was annoyed by the suggestion that they get two value resort rooms rather than a single moderate room. And while they did specifically ask about the moderate resorts, and didn't find the value suggestion helpful, it was obvious that the other poster was truly trying to help. But the OP didn't care; she seemed almost offended that anyone would deviate from her plan for the thread by daring to mention a resort she hadn't specifically approved. I remember another thread where someone was asking advice about some potentially very serious symptoms she was experiencing and was terribly offended when other posters suggested she see a doctor about it, because she had full confidence in the person she had asked about the symptoms, even though that person had no medical training. She had decided what course the thread was going to take, and she was not going to consider any advice or views that didn't fit in with that. I've seen plenty of unhelpful responses on these boards, but I've also seen lots of posts that were intended to be helpful but weren't taken that way by the original poster. Or sometimes the posts aren't necessarily helpful, but they do tie in to the discussion, and the OP gets angry that the thread isn't going exactly as they had intended it to. Often it's just a matter of perception, and I think that's important to keep in mind when posting on a discussion board. Some people do just post to be mean or stir up trouble, but other people are really trying to have an actual discussion - and sometimes that includes disagreements or unexpected twists and turns.

I've also seen some posters suggest that someone use the search feature to answer simple, common questions. Sometimes those suggestions can be a bit abrupt. But other times it's more of a matter-of-fact sort of statement, the kind of thing that most of us would say during an actual conversation with a friend, and some people still seem offended by that. As another poster mentioned, sometimes the best thing is to familiarize yourself with a board and search for your question before you ask it, but most people don't do that. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing for people to remind new posters to try that, though there's definitely a nice way and a not so nice way to say it.

 

["Got Disney"]

Hey...Pull my finger.

And lighten up francis...it's a message board.

true but that does not mean that we should or need to be rude and unkind to each other ....and towards those opinions or ideas that are different than our own. I have posted threads in the past years and have even been PM'd by those that didn't agree with me calling me all sorts of hellish names.....

I have had folks PM me in aggreance with what I was saying yet they did not want to post in the thread and be ran over by a bulldozer in aggreance.

There are some really nasty folks on here....but there are some really great kind ones also.

For some folks it's easy for them to talk trash because they are not standing in your face.....so for them all respect for others just goes out the door.

 

[rie'smom]

Did this thread get moved from another board topic here? There's a bunch of posters names I don't recognize from the CB.
If you're use to hanging out on the CB then you would know we don't play that way.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

I've seen an awful lot of really helpful, friendly, and even pixie-dust-filled replies and threads on these boards -- posters going out of their way to help and support other members. Could be it's a matter of seeing what you want to see...

 

[maxiesmom]

Did this thread get moved from another board topic here? There's a bunch of posters names I don't recognize from the CB.
If you're use to hanging out on the CB then you would know we don't play that way.

I have to point out that even this post, which was meant in jest, could be read as unwelcoming. It could be read as "get off the CB, you don't belong here". It is easy to misunderstand some posts.

I think a lot of what people take for rude comments are not meant to be rude. Posting is kind of like playing telephone with cans and string. Stuff gets lost in translation. What the first person said (posted) may not be what the other people hear.

Having said that, there is no way to misunderstand when someone PMs you to tell you off. I have had that happen to me, but I still don't understand why you would do it. Is it really so important that everyone agree with you or see things the same way that you PM them to yell at them and tell them how stupid they are? That is just nuts!

 

[MELSMICE]

Did this thread get moved from another board topic here? There's a bunch of posters names I don't recognize from the CB.
If you're use to hanging out on the CB then you would know we don't play that way.

I think maybe you're on to something. I say that because I spend most of my time on the CB & was a little confused by what the OP said.

However, I had some extra time last night & hopped over to the Resorts Boards. Whoa..........there were some snarky posters on there, so if the OP was referring to posts like the one I saw, I totally get her point.

Questions were asked & smart-*ss answers were given for no reason. What's that about? Now that I think of it, I posted a legit question on the Theme Parks Board the other day about owning a condo & getting FL Resident AP passes. One of the first responses I got was this . I had a legit question - I was not looking to start something.

Oh well..............I still enjoy a good thread that gives people something to think about & discuss. The snarky posters I just roll my eyes at & ignore.

 

[bicker]

The Transportation Board, actually, is very resolute about keeping the posted information real, and that often leads new or casual participants in that forum to take offense. Typically, the scenario there, though, is that the new or casual participant is asserting something which is simply not reflective of the way things are, but yet they're contending it is or should be. I didn't notice that that's the case in the Resorts Board (with the exception of hot-button issues such as room occupancy) or the Theme Parks Board (with the exception of ticket transferal threads).

 

[phorsenuf]

I think maybe you're on to something. I say that because I spend most of my time on the CB & was a little confused by what the OP said.

However, I had some extra time last night & hopped over to the Resorts Boards. Whoa..........there were some snarky posters on there, so if the OP was referring to posts like the one I saw, I totally get her point.

Questions were asked & smart-*ss answers were given for no reason. What's that about? Now that I think of it, I posted a legit question on the Theme Parks Board the other day about owning a condo & getting FL Resident AP passes. One of the first responses I got was this . I had a legit question - I was not looking to start something.

Oh well..............I still enjoy a good thread that gives people something to think about & discuss. The snarky posters I just roll my eyes at & ignore.

I saw that post actually. I didn't get why someone posted the popcorn guy and then further down someone mentioned that the Dis frown on people getting advice on circumventing rules, or something to that effect. I was shaking my head at that one because that wasn't at all what you were trying to do.
I try and go post at other forums here but they all seem so cliquey.

 

[Lanshark]

It always has and will always be this way.

The CB is actually tamer than I've ever experienced it to be.

 

[phorsenuf]

I have to point out that even this post, which was meant in jest, could be read as unwelcoming. It could be read as "get off the CB, you don't belong here". It is easy to misunderstand some posts.

I think a lot of what people take for rude comments are not meant to be rude. Posting is kind of like playing telephone with cans and string. Stuff gets lost in translation. What the first person said (posted) may not be what the other people hear.

Having said that, there is no way to misunderstand when someone PMs you to tell you off. I have had that happen to me, but I still don't understand why you would do it. Is it really so important that everyone agree with you or see things the same way that you PM them to yell at them and tell them how stupid they are? That is just nuts!

What I'm saying is the CB seems to be a different breed compared to some of the other forums. If you read his post most of the things he/she points out are park related. Not much park talk here on the CB. Also if you look at his past posts (which is easy to do) out of 145 there were 4 on the CB, 2 of them being in this thread.

That's why I thought this thread was moved from another forum because it seemed tailored to somewhere else. It just seemed like an odd post from someone who doesn't spend time here.

It has nothing to do with being unwelcoming. It was an observation is all.

 

[maxiesmom]

What I'm saying is the CB seems to be a different breed compared to some of the other forums. If you read his post most of the things he/she points out are park related. Not much park talk here on the CB. Also if you look at his past posts (which is easy to do) out of 145 there were 4 on the CB, 2 of them being in this thread.

That's why I thought this thread was moved from another forum because it seemed tailored to somewhere else. It just seemed like an odd post from someone who doesn't spend time here.

It has nothing to do with being unwelcoming. It was an observation is all.

I realized that. I was just pointing out how even a simple post like that one could be mis-read by someone else. And how that causes problems.

Kind of like my post was mis-read.

 

[Chelley00]

People tend to hide behind their computer screen and believe they can say whatever they want...no filter whatsoever[/B]!!!

I am QUITE sure these people would never in a million years have the guts to say these things in person.

I think this says a lot. You can say whatever you want on a message board, and no one can do anything about it. Get banned, just pick a new user name and start over again. Who cares if you hurt someone's feelings, you'll never have to face them.

I love the disboards for the information here, but whenever I send people here to research, I always give them warning that "it can get a little rocky if you actually post" so wear your big girl panties.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think this says a lot. You can say whatever you want on a message board, and no one can do anything about it. Get banned, just pick a new user name and start over again. Who cares if you hurt someone's feelings, you'll never have to face them.

My lack of computer knowledge may be showing, but I thought it wouldn't matter if you changed your user name. Can't they just tell that you are using the same computer and know you are the same person?

 

[rie'smom]

My lack of computer knowledge may be showing, but I thought it wouldn't matter if you changed your user name. Can't they just tell that you are using the same computer and know you are the same person?

Yes, the webmasters can see your IP address so they'll know what you're trying to do.

 

[bicker]

Unless you pay your ISP extra for a static IP, you share IPs with thousands of other folks, so a webmaster cannot use that approach to determine a specific user. With the cooperation of the ISP, under court order, they can combine the IP with other connection-related data to determine a specific user, but that's not accessible to the ISP directly.

Generally, the only means a webmaster of a vBulletin forum has to see if a user is registering under another user name is by email address.

 

[rie'smom]

Unless you pay your ISP extra for a static IP, you share IPs with thousands of other folks, so a webmaster cannot use that approach to determine a specific user. With the cooperation of the ISP, under court order, they can combine the IP with other connection-related data to determine a specific user, but that's not accessible to the ISP directly.

Generally, the only means a webmaster of a vBulletin forum has to see if a user is registering under another user name is by email address.

I was speaking from past experience. I used a different email address and still got snagged.