What's this???

Francis
Francis Member Posts: 3,954 ✭✭✭
edited November 2024 in English Forum

I am writing this post, with its illustrative title, to protest (mildly) and plea (more strongly) for users to use thread titles more sensibly. There are many posts all day long and we don't have time to read them all. Please use your title to tell us what the thread is about. Avoid titles like:

  • A question
  • What should I do?
  • Read this!
  • Alice in Wonderland

You can do what you want I suppose, but it would just be more considerate toward others who try to help but have limited time.

This is applicable not only to non-communicative titles but also to shock tactics in titles. 

Comments

  • Robert M. Warren
    Robert M. Warren Member Posts: 2,459 ✭✭✭

    I guess I had better not title my next post "A Simple Desultory Philippic (or How I Was Robert McNamara'd into Submission)"

    macOS (Logos Pro - Beta) | Android 13 (Logos Stable)

    Smile

  • Francis
    Francis Member Posts: 3,954 ✭✭✭

    That's right. I'm keeping a file on you...

    ... and many others.

    Moo-hoo-ha-ha.

  • scooter
    scooter Member Posts: 259 ✭✭

    Definitely a good point, Francis.  I have responded to the mystery encased in ''wassup'' titles, only to feel I wasted my time upon inspection of the post's content.

  • Virgil Buttram
    Virgil Buttram Member Posts: 358 ✭✭

    As long as we're talking about pet peeves in titles:

    "Faithlife/Named Company Rep! Please respond!"

    I get it. You want an official answer. The company and its representatives will announce/reveal information/address concerns as they are ready, willing, and able. A thread title that is intended to command their response will not (should not) draw them out to immediately provide the information you demand.

    Patience is not only a virtue, it is commanded in Scripture. :)

  • Sean
    Sean Member Posts: 1,803 ✭✭✭

    I agree very strongly. Also, when I post in forums, especially for help with a problem, I like to craft the title so that it can be useful for people with the same problem searching for it in the future. Sometimes even adding a date is helpful. Don't start a thread, "Christmas Sale" but "Christmas Sale 2016", etc.

    It's a small thing but really does add value to a forum as a reservoir of knowledge.

  • Mathew Haferkamp
    Mathew Haferkamp Member Posts: 459 ✭✭

    Does this thread fall into that category???  I understand what you are saying but I would not want to discourage any one from posting, keep in mind all the new people and people that speak other languages.  Are we looking down our noses at other people.  And before you respond "I" think this thread is a total waste of time and effort.

  • Bruce Dunning
    Bruce Dunning MVP Posts: 11,161

    I guess I had better not title my next post "A Simple Desultory Philippic (or How I Was Robert McNamara'd into Submission)"

    Haha!

    Maybe we should start a thread on the best obscure thread titles so everyone can have a place to "express themselves creatively". [:)]

    Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God

  • Everett Headley
    Everett Headley Member Posts: 951 ✭✭

    As long as we're talking about pet peeves in titles:

    "Faithlife/Named Company Rep! Please respond!"

    I get it. You want an official answer. The company and its representatives will announce/reveal information/address concerns as they are ready, willing, and able. A thread title that is intended to command their response will not (should not) draw them out to immediately provide the information you demand.

    Patience is not only a virtue, it is commanded in Scripture. :)

    I have been told via Logos that this indeed the way to request updates and information.

  • Virgil Buttram
    Virgil Buttram Member Posts: 358 ✭✭

    As long as we're talking about pet peeves in titles:

    "Faithlife/Named Company Rep! Please respond!"

    I get it. You want an official answer. The company and its representatives will announce/reveal information/address concerns as they are ready, willing, and able. A thread title that is intended to command their response will not (should not) draw them out to immediately provide the information you demand.

    Patience is not only a virtue, it is commanded in Scripture. :)

    I have been told via Logos that this indeed the way to request updates and information.

    Then I am mistaken in my assertion. I still find it distasteful and crass in general, but if that is how the company reps screen the forums, so be it.