Does it matter?
 

I get my new edition of the digest around 6:30 am. I try to keep my dogs quiet until after I quickly look at what has been posted, but most often I have to wait until the barn chores are done and my dogs are napping to read the news and browse through the beautiful pictures. When I see something that truly inspires me to comment, most often I find that there are already 2 or more pages of comments. When I find that there are more than 4 pages of responsed I close the post and don't add my opinion. So, I was wondering, does it matter to you how many people respond to something you have posted or is it more gratifying to find that oodles of people have been moved to respond? Regardless, I will continue to read every thread created, I enjoy reading everyones comments and learn so much from all the advice.

I read all the comments on about 90% of the posts. If its something I've posted I will read all of the comments, I feel committed to read each one since I started the thread. If its pics I don't read the comments until I've posted, I don't want to be influenced to change my reaction or thoughts.

You do realize that the digest is not the most recent threads created, but a random listing chosen by some automated program?
Who knows what the algorithm is that selects them?

So by the time you get the digest, yes, the threads might have been on the board for a day already (if not more).
Not to mention ALL the threads that aren't on the digest.
I've never understood its appeal.

If you access the board via this link, all the threads in each category are listed in most recent order started.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/sitemap/

When you click on a thread, the title on the list should change color, marking it as "read" so you'll always know which ones you've already accessed.

You can get to the main board, if you want, but those threads are presented based on the most recent post.

I think most people that view the board via the above link use it not just to be early or first posters (although it appears that way, myself included), but because it's the most efficient way to view the majority of content on the board.

If a thread is of interest, you can comment or subscribe to it it you want to follow the conversation.
But if you open it up and it's of no interest, you never have to see if again, as it will just make it's way to the bottom of the page.

I don't start threads, so I can't respond to that.
If I did, of course, I'd read every post.

As for commenting, if it hasn't already been said 400 times, I'll comment.
If I love a quilt picture and it's already up to 10 of comments, I'll still comment.
But if I decided to comment on a thread, I ALWAYS read ALL the existing posts first.

I agree with Joyce about reading all responses to my threads, but sometimes just don't have the energy to go through pages of posts on everything. I also am influenced not to post if there are already many, many responses, especially if others have already said what I would have said.

What a good question. If you look at the number of replies and the number of views it is evident the many look and don't write anything. If you read all of the comments on multiple pages, you notice that some are not reading all the replies before they add to the post. When I have come to the board for advice, I have always received several very specific helpful suggestions, and I am grateful that someone took the time to help me solve a problem. When I post pictures of a finished project, I appreciate the replies that let me know that someone really looked at my work and commented on the style, detail, color, etc. or asks a question about the pattern or fabric. It is my experience that even if I ask a question on the 9th page of replies, I will get an answer from the person who posted. So I know it matters because they returned to the page to check on the replies.

gee, joyce, i could have written this :) it's just the way i read the board, too.

People are posting 24 hours a day all over the world. I usually only post if there are no more than 2 pages of postings. And I usually only read the first page of postings.

i just wanted to comment that if you rely solely on the digest, you are missing a lot of content of the board. it's just a very small portion which lists the most popular posts. i read from the archives at the bottom of the page so i don't miss any of the posts. sounds like, though, that you are a very busy person and maybe that's all you have time for.

If I start a thread, I will read each and every response. If I am checking out the pictures section, I always post my comment and if it is something that I would like to make, I will read the comments to see if the OP has posted information about the pattern, technique, fabric etc. before I PM them to ask for the information. If it is a thread about a topic that I am interested in, I will read all of the responses. If the thread is about a technique that I want to do or I have questions about I will read all the responses to hopefully glean some helpful information.

I pick and choose which posts to read.... and I go to the Main and the Vintage spots and pretty much ignore the others. I find that if I have a lot to do, I don't check out as many posts. And, I'd probably get a lot more quilts finished if I didn't spend as much time on QB. So, I hope I don't come off as a snob because I don't comment on 'everything' but some topics are just more interesting to my likes and dislikes than others. I love this board and the fact that people will come back quickly to answer your questions and comment on your posts. We live in pretty desolate spots and I don't get to quilt with friends, etc. So, I learn a lot and get a lot of satisfaction from you all. Thanks

nanna