Double posts

[mad jew]

I'm not a moderator so I have absolutely no authority but I've been noticing more and more double, triple and quadruple posts recently. I just thought I'd bring it to everyone's attention that you can make posts with more than a single quote in them by pressing pressing the quote button.


http://forums.macrumors.com/images/editor/quote.gif


I just thought I'd start this thread for people who didn't know about it. I find the quickest way to make multiple quotes is to press reply on the first thing you want to quote and then scrolling down to the bottom of that reply page to copy another member's post. Then, once that has been copied into the subsequent (second) quote tags, type =poster's username after the first quote tag and before the square bracket. :)


It'll look much neater than double posts.


Agree?

[Danksi]

Occasionally guilty - will do better in future! :o

[Whyren]

Would there be any way for the "New Posts" search to take into account the time that a message was edited, thus signifying new content?

[mad jew]

Would there be any way for the "New Posts" search to take into account the time that a message was edited, thus signifying new content?


If someone edits their post then it goes back to being bold (appears unread) although it doesn't jump to the front of the New Posts queue. Agreed, that'd be cool if it did.

I have to admit that I've double-posted three times before, to bring attention to the fact that I got something wrong or was misleading in my original post. :o

[bousozoku]

I've noticed it a lot lately, too, as if some people are hurrying toward an avatar. Even those who are quite experienced still double-post rather than take the time to combine their responses.

You may have seen "posts next to each other" in the edit information of various posts lately. I've been combining those which can be combined.

It just seems that if people are in such a hurry that you have to make 3 posts in 3 minutes, those people probably aren't saying much.

[~Shard~]

Yes, I hear ya mad jew. I make a point to report these types of posts all the time to the Mods, who are no doubt sick of reading my reports by now. :o ;)

The Mods are busy enough as they are, and cannot be everywhere, so I try and do my part and report these types of things as much as possible, just to keep the Forums clean.

[mad jew]

You may have seen "posts next to each other" in the edit information of various posts lately. I've been combining those which can be combined.


That's partly what made me start the thread. I've noticed you've been combining quite a few of them recently. It's appreciated. :)


The Mods are busy enough as they are, and cannot be everywhere, so I try and do my part and report these types of things as much as possible, just to keep the Forums clean.


Just as a side note, do the moderators get annoyed by us reporting bad posts or do they like it? I'm always a bit hesitant because I don't want to make them have to work even harder.


There's nothing quite like a clean forum. :D

[~Shard~]

That's partly what made me start the thread. I've noticed you've been combining quite a few of them recently. It's appreciated. :)

Yes it is nice to see the Mods addressing this issue. :)

Just as a side note, do the moderators get annoyed by us reporting bad posts or do they like it? I'm always a bit hesitant because I don't want to make them have to work even harder.

I once asked out good Doctor Q that question, and he indicated to me that it was not a problem at all. He said that, as I mentioned above, the Mods can't be everyone at once, and appreciate the help. This was his feelings, at least.

So, as a result, I am quite liberal in my bad post reporting. I like to consider myself a "MacRumors Policeman". ;) I try to only report legitimate issues, as not to waste anyone's time, but I still end up reporting a lot of posts regardless, it seems like. :)

Just trying to keep the Forums clean, and cut down on "pattern behavior" like double posting, responding to old polls, responding with short replies/emoticons/LOLs and so forth - to me, that's all garbage which should be dealt with accordingly. :cool:

[bousozoku]

That's partly what made me start the thread. I've noticed you've been combining quite a few of them recently. It's appreciated. :)





Just as a side note, do the moderators get annoyed by us reporting bad posts or do they like it? I'm always a bit hesitant because I don't want to make them have to work even harder.


There's nothing quite like a clean forum. :D

We appreciate having bad posts reported. If we feel that it's not really that bad, we can ignore it but we can't always find what isn't reported and after scanning a few hundred (or thousand) posts, my eyes and brain feel very tired.

[~Shard~]

We appreciate having bad posts reported. If we feel that it's not really that bad, we can ignore it but we can't always find what isn't reported and after scanning a few hundred (or thousand) posts, my eyes and brain feel very tired.

Thanks for the confirmation on this bousozoku, I'll continue my efforts to assist you guys then, knowing that they are appreciated and not causing more harm than good. :)

[barneygumble]

Yes, I hear ya mad jew. I make a point to report these types of posts all the time to the Mods, who are no doubt sick of reading my reports by now. :o ;)

The Mods are busy enough as they are, and cannot be everywhere, so I try and do my part and report these types of things as much as possible, just to keep the Forums clean.

You are more guilty of this than anyone on the boards
:p

Just kidding

[~Shard~]

Just kidding

Good one, my friend. I'm a good sport, and I can appreciate a clever jab like that. ;) :D

[kretzy]

Guilty of this once or twice, but only because I didn't know how to use multiple quotes. Thanks for explaining mad jew! ;)

[devilot]

I'm sad... I know it bugs most people but I have done it a couple of times. Mainly because after I submit a reply (in a happenin' thread), I see another post I'd like to respond to quickly w/out having it dismissed and so I hit that reply button again. :o

[~Shard~]

I'm sad... I know it bugs most people but I have done it a couple of times. Mainly because after I submit a reply (in a happenin' thread), I see another post I'd like to respond to quickly w/out having it dismissed and so I hit that reply button again. :o

No worries, that's happened to me lots as well. If both posts which I wanted to reply to would have been there initially, I would have replied to both in the same post, however when I hit submit, and see another post has been submitted while I was typing up my reply, I find it easier sometimes just to reply to that one as well.

It's just important to be conscious of it, to try and keep the Forums and clean as possible. :cool:

[jsw]

Call me crazy (most do...), but I fail to see why this matters... granted, there's a trivial increase in bandwidth to provide formatting HTML for the additional post(s), but I don't see why having two, three, or ten sequential posts is a problem (with the exception of posts which literally are duplicates, and those can be deleted). We all have scroll bars, and I'd rather see several consecutive posts with a different point in each than one post trying to gather replies for several previous posts within it.

It takes less time, so posts are more timely.

Not that I see anything wrong with having multiple quotes in a single reply; I think it's often better that way. And I hate it when people quote a given (usually long) post in whole several times in a row to reply to different parts of it.

But, personally, I see nothing wrong with writing several short posts in a row or with replying to a given post with several posts, each of which quote a different part.

As far as editing a post to add to it, well, that's fine if it's very recent, but otherwise it's unlikely your additional text will be seen as people rarely re-read threads to see if edits have occurred.

I don't want to see useless spam any more than anyone else here does, but I think there's a difference between spam and a series of posts, as long as each one provides something additional as opposed to repeating the previous posts. There's no real resource drain, and it doesn't cause strife and hardship to hit the down arrow a couple of times to scroll that extra few lines.

[~Shard~]

Call me crazy (most do...), but I fail to see why this matters... granted, there's a trivial increase in bandwidth to provide formatting HTML for the additional post(s), but I don't see why having two, three, or ten sequential posts is a problem (with the exception of posts which literally are duplicates, and those can be deleted). We all have scroll bars, and I'd rather see several consecutive posts with a different point in each than one post trying to gather replies for several previous posts within it.

It takes less time, so posts are more timely.

Not that I see anything wrong with having multiple quotes in a single reply; I think it's often better that way. And I hate it when people quote a given (usually long) post in whole several times in a row to reply to different parts of it.

But, personally, I see nothing wrong with writing several short posts in a row or with replying to a given post with several posts, each of which quote a different part.

As far as editing a post to add to it, well, that's fine if it's very recent, but otherwise it's unlikely your additional text will be seen as people rarely re-read threads to see if edits have occurred.

I don't want to see useless spam any more than anyone else here does, but I think there's a difference between spam and a series of posts, as long as each one provides something additional as opposed to repeating the previous posts. There's no real resource drain, and it doesn't cause strife and hardship to hit the down arrow a couple of times to scroll that extra few lines.

I agree there definitely is a difference between spam and a series of meaningful responses, but I think that:

a) it is a trick used by some people wanting an avatar to increase their post count, which I don't think is right
b) it clutters up the thread. Not much, and yes, it is easily scrolled through, but nonetheless, it adds extra posts and lengthens the thread, arguably unnecessarily

For me it's just more a thing of keeping it neat and tidy - as you say, from a bandwidth/capacity perspective, this is a non-issue.

But, I agree, if someone has something meaningful to say, and will be typing a lot of text regardless, it probably won't save on space of they do it all in one, long post, or if they do it in a series of posts.

And there is something to be said for addressing completely different topics/questions, with separate posts. I have done this myself as well, (and will continue to), but am conscious of it.

So yeah, in the grand scheme of things, probably not a big deal, but something to keep in mind if nothing else. ;) :)

[balamw]

I usually try to combine posts when there is a logical connection between them, even before ~Shard~ started this campaign, for example http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=1886335#post1886335 but I think one recent case where two of my my posts were merged by a mod was non-ideal. http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=1886460#post1886460

Yes the posts were close to each other, but they did not have a topical connection, and so I did not combine them as the second one was a response to an question that was on a different topic.

Even though the question was off-topic I thought it deserved an answer since EAC is a wonderful tool on the windows side, and might be holding someone like joebells back from switching. Merging them has the unfortunate side effect of making the off-topic respnse to joebells less visible as a reply to his question. I also chose not to PM him as again, I thought the response to be a useful on for any Windows users on the fence w.r.t. this handy utility.

I'm all for merging posts that hang together, but let's not take this to the extreme shall we?

B

[bousozoku]

I usually try to combine posts when there is a logical connection between them, even before ~Shard~ started this campaign, for example http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=1886335#post1886335 but I think one recent case where two of my my posts were merged by a mod was non-ideal. http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=1886460#post1886460

Yes the posts were close to each other, but they did not have a topical connection, and so I did not combine them as the second one was a response to an question that was on a different topic.

Even though the question was off-topic I thought it deserved an answer since EAC is a wonderful tool on the windows side, and might be holding someone like joebells back from switching. Merging them has the unfortunate side effect of making the off-topic respnse to joebells less visible as a reply to his question. I also chose not to PM him as again, I thought the response to be a useful on for any Windows users on the fence w.r.t. this handy utility.

I'm all for merging posts that hang together, but let's not take this to the extreme shall we?

B

Both of your responses are quite visible. There is nothing extreme about it.

On second thought, being that one of them was a response to something off-topic, I should have deleted it, instead of combining it with the the other reply.

[balamw]

I should have deleted it, instead of combining it with the the other reply.
Agreed 100%.

IMHO deleted or moved to appropriate thread would have been preferable to merging. The post I responded to and my reply probably belonged better in this thread. http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=158346

B

[EricNau]

Can someone define what a "double post" is? (I always assumed it was someone who hit the "submit reply" button one too many times, and therefore posted two identical posts.)

So if we are responding to two different people, on two different subjects (in the same thread), are we supposed to make it one post with multiple quotes, and then write our response under each quote, or as two separate posts?

[mad jew]

Can someone define what a "double post" is? (I always assumed it was someone who hit the "submit reply" button one too many times, and therefore posted two identical posts.)


Yeah, I suppose that's really what a double post is but...


So if we are responding to two different people, on two different subjects (in the same thread), are we supposed to make it one post with multiple quotes, and then write our response under each quote?


...IMO it looks a bit neater if you do just make the single post so long as it's clear who you're responding to. In other words, quote them both and reply your response under each quote. It'll mean your signature isn't clogging up your responses too. :)

[Lacero]

I think double posting is fine as long as the topic is differentiated enough. Combining quotes is a good idea if the subject matter closely relates to one another and the train of thought similar.

I wouldn't want to see multiple quotes in a post where the subject matter varied greatly.

[EricNau]

Yeah, I suppose that's really what a double post is but...
...IMO it looks a bit neater if you do just make the single post so long as it's clear who you're responding to. In other words, quote them both and reply your response under each quote. It'll mean your signature isn't clogging up your responses too. :)

Just in my opinion...
I find it easier to read/follow posts when they keep it to one quote per post. (unless the quotes are from the same user).
This way, you won't be mixing subjects in one post.

So I guess I'm guilty of doing this, I just find it not only easier to write (don't have to copy/paste), but I would think it would be easier to follow what's going on.

By the way - The way you cut my post into parts and responded to it - I agree with doing that, I just think it over complicates things if you are quoting two different people.

Yes, I hear ya mad jew. I make a point to report these types of posts all the time to the Mods, who are no doubt sick of reading my reports by now. :o ;)

The Mods are busy enough as they are, and cannot be everywhere, so I try and do my part and report these types of things as much as possible, just to keep the Forums clean.
I think reporting people to the Mods, just because they had two posts in a row (responding to different quotes) seems a little harsh.

EDIT: I just did it! I feel stupid. I guess this is a bad habit. :o
---What I just did, is that what you are complaining about? - If so, sorry - Please don't report me.

[bousozoku]

I think double posting is fine as long as the topic is differentiated enough. Combining quotes is a good idea if the subject matter closely relates to one another and the train of thought similar.

I wouldn't want to see multiple quotes in a post where the subject matter varied greatly.

If the subject matter varies greatly, one of those quotes is probably off-topic and shouldn't be there in the first place.

[Diatribe]

I don't know what the big fuss is all about. I agree 3 or more posts are annoying but if someone uses 2 once in a while I don't see this as a big deal. Sometimes I'll combine sometimes I won't. If one does it all the time I see the annoyance or if there are more than 2 posts... but most of the time I respond to two different things and I want to keep them separate...

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

...IMO it looks a bit neater if you do just make the single post so long as it's clear who you're responding to. In other words, quote them both and reply your response under each quote. It'll mean your signature isn't clogging up your responses too. :)I'm actually with Lacero on this one. I find it natural to use two posts to answer two (somewhat) different questions. It makes it a bit easier to follow a thread that way.

If the questions are similar (or otherwise connected, e.g. totally contradicting, which also is funny), and a (more or less) suitable response applies to both, of course I quote both in the same post... ;) I find the best way to do this is to hold down cmd while pressing quote on the two (or more) posts, thus opening them in different tabs. Then it's just a matter of cutting and pasting between tabs to get all the quotes into one of the replies and answer there. :)

I also tend to "double post" in very long threads if I answer to two different posts (even with similar questions) if they appear with several pages apart and (apparently) has no other connection... even if I then, ironically, make a long thread even longer than it, strictly speaking, had to be... :o

[Nermal]

The problem with quoting multiple people inside one post is that it screws up Threaded Mode. In the hierarchy, the topmost quote will end up in the thread tree, but the subsequent quotes won't appear at all.

Note: I haven't checked this since the upgrade to 3.5.

[~Shard~]

Bousozoku, your edit job on EricNau's double post in this, the "double post" thread, was just too perfect... :D :cool:

[Lacero]

The problem with quoting multiple people inside one post is that it screws up Threaded Mode.
People use Threaded Mode?


/*Wow!*
//CHecks threaded mode.
///*hates it.
///Goes back to flat mode. Happy! Joy, Joy!

[mad jew]

The problem with quoting multiple people inside one post is that it screws up Threaded Mode. In the hierarchy, the topmost quote will end up in the thread tree, but the subsequent quotes won't appear at all.


People use Threaded Mode?


If a tree falls in the forest and nobody's around to hear it, does it make a big bang sound, kinda like an earthquake with a bit of creaking and maybe a rustle or two?


Apologise to all member(s) viewing this in threaded mode for the double quote, if you can read this...

[Nermal]

People use Threaded Mode?

I know that at least one member does. I've tried to use it myself but it never works properly for the reasons explained above :(

I noticed that you edited several of my messages from Friday. It would appear that you took multiple messages (that were replies to different people's messages) and combined them together.

Why?

Are you aware that this undermines threaded viewing? The forum software doesn't allow one message to have multiple parents. When you view the thread, one one parent will be shown in the tree view, forcing the reader to manually search for the others.

[EricNau]

I'm actually with Lacero on this one. I find it natural to use two posts to answer two (somewhat) different questions. It makes it a bit easier to follow a thread that way.

If the questions are similar (or otherwise connected, e.g. totally contradicting, which also is funny), and a (more or less) suitable response applies to both, of course I quote both in the same post... ;) I find the best way to do this is to hold down cmd while pressing quote on the two (or more) posts, thus opening them in different tabs. Then it's just a matter of cutting and pasting between tabs to get all the quotes into one of the replies and answer there. :)

I also tend to "double post" in very long threads if I answer to two different posts (even with similar questions) if they appear with several pages apart and (apparently) has no other connection... even if I then, ironically, make a long thread even longer than it, strictly speaking, had to be... :o
I totally agree.

Bousozoku, your edit job on EricNau's double post in this, the "double post" thread, was just too perfect... :D :cool:
It really wasn't that funny. ;)

So in this case...
I just responded to a quote from another member, should I just totally change the subject now and confuse everyone, or put in a "double post?"

I'm sorry - In my opinion it is poor organization. If you are going to talk about something different, put it in a different post. (And I really don't care if it lets someone else get an avatar 3 days earlier than they would have if they didn't make double posts.)

[~Shard~]

It really wasn't that funny. ;)

Ask bousozoku - yes it was. :p ;) :D

I'm sorry - In my opinion it is poor organization. If you are going to talk about something different, put it in a different post. (And I really don't care if it lets someone else get an avatar 3 days earlier than they would have if they didn't make double posts.)

Seriously, I agree, I think it's just best to exercise good judgment and do what makes sense. The odd double post doesn't hurt. :)

That being said, I'm still going to report bad ones when I find them. :p :cool:

[EricNau]

Ask bousozoku - yes it was. :p ;) :D

I'm sorry - In my opinion it is poor organization. If you are going to talk about something different, put it in a different post. (And I really don't care if it lets someone else get an avatar 3 days earlier than they would have if they didn't make double posts.)

Seriously, I agree, I think it's just best to exercise good judgment and do what makes sense. The odd double post doesn't hurt. :)

That being said, I'm still going to report bad ones when I find them. :p :cool:

If you would have made that a double post, it would have came out right ;)


That being said, I'm still going to report bad ones when I find them. :p :cool:
Well, that you might find yourself reporting me alot :o
I just find it not only easier to write, and I think easier for others to read.

That said:
If you must, bousozoku, go ahead and combine my last to posts (but keep in mind, they are different subjects).
Reason for double post: I thought of this later than my last one. (note the 8 min between)

[RHutch]

I can't believe that this is such a big deal to people and that people are reporting others for this. I have seen the posts that have been combined in this thread. Maybe it is being done to be funny, but I don't think it's very funny. I have read the comment about putting all your comments into one post, but that just doesn't make good sense. That is not good organization in writing.

bousozoku said: If the subject matter varies greatly, one of those quotes is probably off-topic and shouldn't be there in the first place. But I don't think that this is the case at all.

See this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=158603&page=2) where I posted consecutive posts. There are many ideas going on in the thread. One is about comparing Pixar and other computer animation studios. Another is about the influence of the earnings for Chicken Little on the Pixar/Disney negotiations. Why should comments on those two different ideas go in the same post?

I'm not interested in an avatar or in gaining rank. I just think that there should be a clear separation when posting about two different ideas. But that doesn't mean that one of the posts is off-topic.:mad:

[EricNau]

I can't believe that this is such a big deal to people and that people are reporting others for this. I have seen the posts that have been combined in this thread. Maybe it is being done to be funny, but I don't think it's very funny. I have read the comment about putting all your comments into one post, but that just doesn't make good sense. That is not good organization in writing.

bousozoku said: If the subject matter varies greatly, one of those quotes is probably off-topic and shouldn't be there in the first place. But I don't think that this is the case at all.

See this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=158603&page=2) where I posted consecutive posts. There are many ideas going on in the thread. One is about comparing Pixar and other computer animation studios. Another is about the influence of the earnings for Chicken Little on the Pixar/Disney negotiations. Why should comments on those two different ideas go in the same post?

I'm not interested in an avatar or in gaining rank. I just think that there should be a clear separation when posting about two different ideas. But that doesn't mean that one of the posts is off-topic.:mad:
Thank you.

[mad jew]

I didn't mean to make a big deal out of it. I just thought that people might like to know how to post more than one quote in the single post. I think it looks neater and I thought it was kinda against the forum rules to do otherwise but it doesn't really bother me. I'm Australian, it takes quite a bit to get me phased. :p

FWIW, I remember when I first joined not knowing how some of the other members managed to make more than one quote. I was really impressed by their seemingly high-tech posts. :o

[EricNau]

I didn't mean to make a big deal out of it. I just thought that people might like to know how to post more than one quote in the single post. I think it looks neater and I thought it was kinda against the forum rules to do otherwise but it doesn't really bother me. I'm Australian, it takes quite a bit to get me phased. :p

FWIW, I remember when I first joined not knowing how some of the other members managed to make more than one quote. I was really impressed by their seemingly high-tech posts. :o
I understand your thinking (and technically I guess it's right). And you have a very good point, when I first joined I didn't know a lot of stuff (took me 200 posts before I found the "quote" button, before that I did it all by hand - guess I had the opposite of your problem ;) )

I just think it must be a matter of opinion on what is easier to read.

I also think it is outragous that some would actually report people for this! :mad:

PS - What does FWIW mean? :confused:

[mad jew]

Yeah, I agree it's a matter of opinion/taste as to what you think looks better.

[~Shard~]

I also think it is outragous that some would actually report people for this! :mad:

For the record, I only do it when it is warranted. For many of the situations we've already discussed here, I find it acceptable as well. :)

PS - What does FWIW mean? :confused:

For what it's worth, I think I'll just let you look that one up for yourself... :p :cool:

[EricNau]

FWIW: for what it's worth.

Yeah, I agree it's a matter of opinion/taste as to what you think looks better.
For what it's worth, I think I'll just let you look that one up for yourself...
Thanks - I hate it when I have to ask things like that. :o

I think another reason why people make double posts is because it is a pain to put two quotes into one post (you can't just use the "quote" button). Maybe someday that could incorporate multiple quotes into this software (maybe you could hold down 'control' while hitting several "quote" buttons and it would put all of the quotes into your post for you - that would be cool.

[~Shard~]

Thanks - I hate it when I have to ask things like that. :o

Hey, it's the only way you learn, no worries at all! :)

Maybe someday that could incorporate multiple quotes into this software (maybe you could hold down 'control' while hitting several "quote" buttons and it would put all of the quotes into your post for you - that would be cool.

That would be an interesting feature to see in a future release of vB... :cool:

[mad jew]

I think another reason why people make double posts is because it is a pain to put two quotes into one post (you can't just use the "quote" button). Maybe someday that could incorporate multiple quotes into this software (maybe you could hold down 'control' while hitting several "quote" buttons and it would put all of the quotes into your post for you - that would be cool.


Yeah, I agree but there are ways to make it easier, like that outlined by our lovely Mitthrawnuruodo:


I find the best way to do this is to hold down cmd while pressing quote on the two (or more) posts, thus opening them in different tabs. Then it's just a matter of cutting and pasting between tabs to get all the quotes into one of the replies and answer there. :)


And we're all very impressed by your combined quote too. :D

[barneygumble]

That being said, I'm still going to report bad ones when I find them. :p :cool:

I am a goona be keepin my eye on you
:D

[EricNau]

And we're all very impressed by your combined quote too. :D
Thanks :D

[bousozoku]

I am a goona be keepin my eye on you
:D

That will be messy, I'm sure. Do you have a long optic nerve? You must have some nerve. :D

[Nermal]

That would be an interesting feature to see in a future release of vB... :cool:

I think IPB can do it - you click a "selector" on the posts you want to reply to, then click the Reply button at the bottom of the page.

[Platform]

I agree about doubble posting beeing a bit too much, thanks for the advice;)

[~Shard~]

I am a goona be keepin my eye on you
:D

I wish you good luck, sir. :)

[jsw]

Interesting... couldn't these all have been combined into the original posts? ;)

[~Shard~]

Interesting... couldn't these all have been combined into the original posts? ;)

No more than these 111 posts could have been combined... :p :cool:

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

And we're all very impressed by your combined quote too. You mean like this (:p)?:


It really wasn't that funny.Ask bousozoku - yes it was. :p ;) :DWell, I found it hysterical... :D

But, seriously, in most cases the odd double post doesn't matter. Though it looks weird when someone has 5 posts in a row, post threading or not, that is usually unnecessary... :rolleyes:

Now, I think dialoging on the end of long threads is just as bad. When all that's left of a thread is two or three people just quoting each other for a couple of pages. ;)

[emw]

I'd much rather see the occasional double post that reflects serious thought on two separate yet related topics than see the thousands of "I agree" "Cool" ";)" response that crop up.

If we're going to go through the forums culling for this type of supposed double-post, then while we're at it let's delete every post less that 4 words.

[Blue Velvet]

I'd much rather see the occasional double post that reflects serious thought on two separate yet related topics than see the thousands of "I agree" "Cool" ";)" response that crop up.

If we're going to go through the forums culling for this type of supposed double-post, then while we're at it let's delete every post less that 4 words.



I agree... cool. ;)

[cb911]

hey where's this little quote button...?? :confused:

i took a screenshot - as you can see it's nowhere to be seen... :confused:
http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/3325/foruum5mh.th.jpg (http://img343.imageshack.us/my.php?image=foruum5mh.jpg)
ahwell - i guess this means i'll have to just keep posting double and triple posts. :D :eek: :p

[emw]

hey where's this little quote button...?? :confused:
Refers to the quote button in the Reply toolbar. Used to drop in the quote tags.

see?

[cb911]

ohhh.... :P

it would be alot easier if you could select the post you wanted to quote as you read through the thread.. and then if they just came up in the quote tags when you hit Post Reply. otherwise you've gotta hit the Quote button and then you've gotta copy&paste then type the users name etc - it is a bit of a hassle...

[bousozoku]

ohhh.... :P

it would be alot easier if you could select the post you wanted to quote as you read through the thread.. and then if they just came up in the quote tags when you hit Post Reply. otherwise you've gotta hit the Quote button and then you've gotta copy&paste then type the users name etc - it is a bit of a hassle...

Indeed, it is work, but a lot of us go through that work to comply with the posting rules.

I usually end up using TextEdit and paste everything up until clicking Quote the final time and then arrange all of that. It's not that difficult. :)

[EricNau]

No more than these 111 posts could have been combined... :p :cool:

Is that a windows? :eek: Gasp!

[~Shard~]

Is that a windows? :eek: Gasp!

Yeah, I was at work at the time, had to make the best of a bad XP situation... ;) :cool:

[~Shard~]

I agree with most of what you say, however I'll comment specifically on this:

What's wrong with multiple replies to posts anyway? It's going to be the same amount of text for mods to scan, so, what does it matter if quotes are all done in one post or in individual posts?

It will be the same amount of text, however some users like to have long and/or big sigs, which would take up more space when considering multiple posts. Yes, a minor, trivial little detail, but thought I'd mention it anyway.... :o :)

And yes I realize the irony that I just double-posted. :cool:

[jsw]

This is just my own, personal opinion, but, expecting members to go to such lengths as using multiple tabs or TextEdit to compose a multi-quoted post seems a little much.
...

I completely agree.

Additional (shorter) posts, as long as they aren't spam, add no appreciable overhead and make for easier reading.

[bousozoku]

I'd much rather see the occasional double post that reflects serious thought on two separate yet related topics than see the thousands of "I agree" "Cool" ";)" response that crop up.

If we're going to go through the forums culling for this type of supposed double-post, then while we're at it let's delete every post less that 4 words.

Do you report them?

[Lacero]

Away with sigs!

I have them turned off simply because it adds too much clutter. If I am interested in a poster, I'll check out his/her profile, and the sig is there. :)

No need to have it repeated on every single post. http://www3.telus.net/poojja/s/shutup.gif

[Melkor]

I can't believe the amount of people that double post in this forum. I always find it so rude :p

Seriously though, why do you guys do it?

[EricNau]

I can't believe the amount of people that double post in this forum. I always find it so rude :p

Seriously though, why do you guys do it?

Why do we double post, or why are we being rude and double posting in this thread about double posting?

I double post because (1) it's easier for me to write, and (2) I find it easier to read also.

I was being "rude" (as you call it) mainly because of habit. :o (and the reasons I have above)

[jsw]

...however some users like to have long and/or big sigs, which would take up more space when considering multiple posts....
Would someone please care to enlighten me as to why the scrollbar/down arrows cannot be used to scroll past such "egregious" uses of space (which could be as much as - my God - an inch of screen real estate or so) when one must move through additional posts? Or, more precisely, why such use of scrollbars/down arrows is too laborious? It's hard for me to grasp the concept of "wasting space" when, essentially, an infinite amount of room is available.

BTW, I find the definition of egregious to be humorous, in a way similar to that of cleave:

e•gre•gious
adjective
1 outstandingly bad; shocking : egregious abuses of copyright.
2 archaic remarkably good.

[OutThere]

What do you mean by "double post?" Posting the same thing twice or someone posting two different posts?

Do the admins of this board really want to encourage members to post less instead of more? That seems to go against the desire to have an active and large online community. The more posts, the more pageviews, the more ad sales, the higher page ranking, etc.

But it seems like this bill has become law, because it's being enforced in the "GayWay" thread.

Yes, in fact, they'd rather have us post somewhat less...I mean it's not necessary to have tons of crap to filter through to find anything worthwhile to read (though we and the mods are especially good at removing it/censoring ourselves-better than some other forums). If every single post had a valid argument/idea/comment then there would be significantly fewer posts, but the forums would be much more streamlined. I typically try to only post when I have something worthwhile to put into a discussion. Believe it or not, the site isn't entirely focused on page views/ad sales, it was made by people with a passion for Macs for people who have a passion for Macs, and is supported by people who have developed a passion for the site (Contributors/Demis) and advertising...last I heard the site was breaking even.

An active community is about the quality of the discussion not the quantity of posts it contains.

[840quadra]

I've noticed it a lot lately, too, as if some people are hurrying toward an avatar. Even those who are quite experienced still double-post rather than take the time to combine their responses.

You may have seen "posts next to each other" in the edit information of various posts lately. I've been combining those which can be combined.

It just seems that if people are in such a hurry that you have to make 3 posts in 3 minutes, those people probably aren't saying much.

I have an avatar and tend to do this quite a bit, more by accident then as a way to increase my post count. Personally I don't really see that this is that big of an issue. I moderate multiple forums and this is quite common, and is such a low issue when compared to other types of activities posters can get involved with. However, I will respect the wishes of the Moderating and Administrative team running the site I am visiting regardless of what my opinion is in regards to the rules :) .

Sorry for having you edit so many of my past posts bousozoku :) . It isn't intentional, as I often see a post AFTER i replied to an other, and as opposed to editing my previous post, I do a quick quote and reply. The new inline editing should make my being lazy less of an issue overall. :)

::EDIT::

This is just my own, personal opinion, but, expecting members to go to such lengths as using multiple tabs or TextEdit to compose a multi-quoted post seems a little much.

Well said,

Well, I am trying to follow the rules while replying to your post and bousozoku's.

Come to think of it, I tend to reply before reading the entire thread in most cases. I need help :(

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&dateline=1127904880&type=profile

[~Shard~]

Would someone please care to enlighten me as to why the scrollbar/down arrows cannot be used to scroll past such "egregious" uses of space (which could be as much as - my God - an inch of screen real estate or so) when one must move through additional posts? Or, more precisely, why such use of scrollbars/down arrows is too laborious? It's hard for me to grasp the concept of "wasting space" when, essentially, an infinite amount of room is available.

I never said it was a hassle or a huge inconvenience - just pointing it out, for what it's worth... :o ;)

[EricNau]

Just to let you all know, I'll consider this when posting from now on, so your thread wasn't entirely a waste, as I did learn something (I had know idea it wasn't proper to have two posts in a row).

That said...
If I for some reason decide to "double post" please leave it that way.

[mad jew]

But it seems like this bill has become law, because it's being enforced in the "GayWay" thread.



This wasn't meant as a bill.
Technically speaking, it's already a law, of sorts.
That GayWay thread is almost unreadable because of this very problem. It's a page of one member followed by a page of another... More than three posts in a row by the same member is wrong and should be punishable by transportation to the farthest colony.
IMO, one really shouldn't post without having read the entire thread, meaning that double posts should be pretty rare in circumstances other than replying to two different subjects.

[840quadra]

This wasn't meant as a bill.
Technically speaking, it's already a law, of sorts.
That GayWay thread is almost unreadable because of this very problem. It's a page of one member followed by a page of another... More than three posts in a row by the same member is wrong and should be punishable by transportation to the farthest colony.
IMO, one really shouldn't post without having read the entire thread, meaning that double posts should be pretty rare in circumstances other than replying to two different subjects.


I agree with all but #4. In many cases reading every post on a huge thread really isn't needed, nor practical. In most cases people reply to one person, or a small group within large threads as opposed to the entire thread. Granted this SHOULD be done with the PM system, but in most cases the post is to contribute to a debate or to add more thoughts for such topic. The topics on here also tend to segway as a group, and usually only require reading the last 2 pages to be up to speed on the current topic.

However, as stated before. It is best to follow the rules provided by the Moderators or Mdministrators of the site you are visiting.

http://forums.macrumors.com/image.php?u=47064&dateline=1127904880&type=profile

[emw]

Do you report them?
Of course not - I was being sarcastic, especially about the 4-word limit (which would mean I wouldn't have seen your response ;)). From my standpoint, reporting posts should be left for when something is really wrong, such as:

1. Spam (as in "Win a free iPod")

2. Insulting (as in "emw is a jerk and should just get the heck out of these forums")

3. Inappropriate content (as in strong sexual - either text or images)

I would hazard a guess that most people who post more than once (technically "multiple posts" vs. "double posts") when responding to multiple previous posts are not in some way attempting to increase their post count. In fact, this is generally done by members who are either well above the avatar range, or long-term members who happened to go through a "post spurt", or even demis, who really don't give a crap about post counts in general.

There are so many ways to increase post count that don't involve stringing together responses. One of which is to post excessively in threads complaining about multiple posts. :p

[~Shard~]

There are so many ways to increase post count that don't involve stringing together responses. One of which is to post excessively in threads complaining about multiple posts. :p

What are you implying? :p :D

(And a 4-word reply nonetheless!)

[emw]

What are you implying? :p :DThat, my friend, is a very good question ;)

[~Shard~]

That, my friend, is a very good question ;)

Don't be so hard on yourself, you're only up to 3 posts... ;)

[Lord Blackadder]

I don't see much reason to double post - I've done it a few times but always out of haste and it makes a thread longer for no good reason.

That said, I triple posted the other day due to network latency - hopefully people won't jump all over me next time something happens like that.:o

I often put multiple quotes I want to respond to in the same post. They aren't necessarily related but it's a cleaner look when reading.

Even if it takes extra work to put miltiple quotes in a post, I'd rather have less (but easier to read) posts than have MR end up looking like the Slashdot forums or something.

[Diatribe]

Don't be so hard on yourself, you're only up to 3 posts... ;)

Hilarious. :D Thanks for making my day, since I was thinking the very same thing before I read your post. Almost spilled the water in my mouth when I read your post then... :)

[OutThere]

Okay. Thanks for clarifying that. I didn't realize MR is a repository of quality, valid posts, I assumed it was a discussion forum for an online Mac community. I'll try to keep my posts to a minimum and encourage others to do the same.

There's no need for sarcasm here.

Yes it's a discussion forum for Mac users, but no we don't want a to have to sift through useless junk to find interesting discussion.

Posting a legitimate opinion on something, whether or not it has been said before, is worthwhile, whereas posting:

ZOMGZZ LOLZ!!!111
and immediately following:
Hahahahahahah. u r funne,

is not worthwhile. That said, you can post as much as you want, if you have something to contribute, but the point is not to post a lot, and not to "drive up page views," but to provide an easily accessible forum for discussion.

[~Shard~]

Hilarious. :D Thanks for making my day, since I was thinking the very same thing before I read your post. Almost spilled the water in my mouth when I read your post then... :)

Anytime my friend, anytime. ;) :cool:

Yeah, I don't think I want to know how many threads there are like that where I have the most posts. What can I say, I really enjoy spending time on MacRumors! :)

[Lord Blackadder]

Posting a legitimate opinion on something, whether or not it has been said before, is worthwhile, whereas posting:

(one liner)

is not worthwhile. That said, you can post as much as you want, if you have something to contribute, but the point is not to post a lot, and not to "drive up page views," but to provide an easily accessible forum for discussion.

I'll go further than that and say that one-liner posts aren't necessarily a problem unless they proliferate, especially when it's always the same couple posters. Maybe you just want to interject an "LOL, very funny!" now and then, and that's OK I think - but all in moderation. I don't want to have to scroll through dozens of such comments in order to follow a real discussion.

[emw]

Don't be so hard on yourself, you're only up to 3 posts... ;)
LOL. Ooops, now it's up to 5 :eek:

I'll go further than that and say that one-liner posts aren't necessarily a problem unless they proliferate, especially when it's always the same couple posters.To be fair, many one-liners can be quite poignant, it's more the one or two worders that generally get distracting to me.

[jdechko]

Guilty of this once or twice, but only because I didn't know how to use multiple quotes. Thanks for explaining mad jew! ;)

Yes, thank you for that. I will definitely be using that from now on. (Guilty of double posting for multiple quotes before.)

[~Shard~]

Yes, thank you for that. I will definitely be using that from now on. (Guilty of double posting for multiple quotes before.)

I'm glad you'll be using that from now on, but did you need to resurrect a month-old thread just to tell us that? :p :cool:

[bousozoku]

I'm glad you'll be using that from now on, but did you need to resurrect a month-old thread just to tell us that? :p :cool:

Now that I know, I can keep track of the user. :p :eek: j/k

[~Shard~]

Now that I know, I can keep track of the user. :p :eek: j/k

Haha! Ah, it's great having you as a Mod, bousozoku... :D :cool:

[840quadra]

For your Viewing Pleasure :)

http://guides.macrumors.com/Reply_with_multiple_quotes

Moderators and others, feel free to reference that guide when needed. Seems to be lots of threads and users who post 2 to 4 in a row now :eek: .

I am a past offender, and have done my time, and hopefully redeemed myself by creating this guide :) .

[mdavey]

Yea, I'm guilty of this. I guess in part it is not realising how to combine quotes from multiple people with ease (yea, I know how to now), part laziness and part not realising it is bad etiquette. I'll endeavour to do better in future. :D

Edit: Oh, and thanks to 840quadra for bumping this thread!

[EricNau]

How do you report a double post? For the most part I would only do so for true "double posts" (an accident that results in two or more posts that are exactly the same)

[mad jew]

You can report a double post the same way you report a regular bad post, use http://forums.macrumors.com/images/buttons/report.gif (which is beside each post except your own) to bring up a dialogue box that'll give you a chance to explain to a moderator why the post should be modified or deleted. :)

[Lacero]

Note: This is ONLY to be used to report spam, advertising messages, and problematic (harassment, fighting, or rude) posts.

Not sure double posting falls under the guidelines that it needs to be reported. As a mod, I wouldn't want to have to deal with so many of these reports. Double posting is annoying, but sometimes a necessary evil. Didn't someone mentioned it screws up hybrid view.

Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35452 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

[mad jew]

Note: This is ONLY to be used to report spam, advertising messages, and problematic (harassment, fighting, or rude) posts.

Not sure double posting falls under the guidelines that it needs to be reported.


Many double posts would be considered SPAM. Nevertheless, this thread clearly states that there is a time and a place for double posts.


As a mod, I wouldn't want to have to deal with so many of these reports. Double posting is annoying, but sometimes a necessary evil.


Well, the moderators seem to think reporting bad posts help them. I agree in that I imagine it'd generally get annoying to be distracted but maybe it doesn't happen all that often.


Didn't someone mentioned it screws up hybrid view.


I assume you mean that double posting gets around the problems some member(s) have in hybrid view (or whatever it's called) when members such as myself post more than one reply in a single post. :)

[EricNau]

You can report a double post the same way you report a regular bad post, use http://forums.macrumors.com/images/buttons/report.gif (which is beside each post except your own) to bring up a dialogue box that'll give you a chance to explain to a moderator why the post should be modified or deleted. :)
OK, that's what I thought, Thank you. :)

[2nyRiggz]

i didnt know double posting that way could get your count up.....ummmmmmmmmm:rolleyes:


Bless

[~Shard~]

For your Viewing Pleasure :)

http://guides.macrumors.com/Reply_with_multiple_quotes

Moderators and others, feel free to reference that guide when needed. Seems to be lots of threads and users who post 2 to 4 in a row now :eek: .

I am a past offender, and have done my time, and hopefully redeemed myself by creating this guide :) .

Nice guide 840uadra, thanks for putting this one together! Hopefully this will help deter people form making unnecessary double posts and cluttering up the Forums. :cool: