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

I have found that the number of posts will influence my choosing to look at a picture that I would not look at because of the title - let's say "log cabin quilt". I would not normally click on a picture of a log cabin quilt - just not my favorite. But, if there are 5 pages of comments, that will indicate that maybe this log cabin quilt is spectacular and I will then click on it. Have been really surprised a few times at posts that I would have missed if the page count was not so high.

This was a great question, thanks for asking it, and thanks for the responses!

I for one, really appreciate each and every comment on my posts, and try to answer any questions that have been asked either on the thread if I think others may be interested, or with a PM if the question or answer is only specific to that person. Part of the reason I post my work is to share knowledge and ideas with others here, and it is very gratifying to me when I am able to help others. I am also very appreciative of advice/suggestions others here give to me!

I take the time to read responses on others' post before I comment. That way if a question has been asked and answered already I'll see it and can comment appropriately. That being said, if I see a post that doesn't grab my attention/interested, I just close it and move on to the next. I know I miss some posts, but like to try to keep up with as much as I can.

Like MTS, I use the archive to view threads. If it is a posting of a completed quilt and I have a comment I will always post it even if there are pages of comments already. If someone is asking a question I will read thru all the current posts and if I have something new to offer I will comment. I turned off all the mail notifications from the board, so every few days I'll go to the list of my posts and revisit the ones I was most interested in to see if something new has been added.

I think you are overlooking WHY some threads make the digest. The most replied to are mentioned, so there will be lots of replies. Go ahead and post your remarks, be they identical to others or a different slant.

It doesn't matter to me how many people comment but on the quality and content of the comments.

That is what I do too. I go straight to the bottom of the page and access everything through the archive. I like that it is constantly updated and turns purple after I have read it. This is my first thing in the morning pleasure as a drink a cup of coffee, enjoy posts and often read all the comments, especially if it is something I want to learn too. If I post, I will return for several days, so I can respond to any questions posted. This is my favorite site, well over any blogs or news I have subscribed to.

Ditto, ditto, and ditto.

I don't get the digest form but go to Main and read the different threads. I don't understand though...does that mean I see all the threads or just some of them?

I always read every answer on a thread before I comment, but now I understand why sometimes I get a question that I have already answered on threads I have started. I never thought of skipping to the end to add a comment. Duh. Now it makes sense.

Dina

I wish I had time to read every page of every thread...but I don't, and like others, will usually just read the first few pages. I will comment if I think I have something that I can add to the thread, but usually don't repeat the same comments everyone else has read. If it is a thread I started, I would read every comment, no matter how many pages, and reply back if it seems it would be helpful. If it is a thread that I have commented on, and wanted more information, I will sometimes go back and look at it another time and see what else has been added.
Thank-you for all that post and read here!

The thing about reading from the Home Main page on the QB is that you have to wade through all the threads that you've already read, and already decided you weren't interested in.
And you might miss the one really relevant one (to you) that perhaps didn't get a lot of posts (so it will just drop off).
It could be on page 4 - so you'll probably never see it.

Viewing from the QB Forum home page just lists, by section, the threads with the most recent posts.
So if someone posts to a thread that's been dormant for 2 years, it is no at the top of the Main page.

Realistically, there are ~15 new posts on a given day in a forum.
So even if you don't see it right away, but view it hours later, your post will probably on the first or second page, because the majority is viewing through the home page OR reading via the digest.
Which means they don't even know the thread exists.


Do not even get me started on this ubiquitous practice :shock::shock::shock:

:)

I'm on the board every day,
I read through all of the new topics, but only react if I'm all wiped out by a quilt or technique.
Not because I'm not interested in the rest of them but simply because it takes me a lot of time because I have to translate first.
Not seldom I have to consult a dictionary (like right now) and that takes time.....a lot of time.
But I do love the quiltingboard and the way you people are always in to help others......Thanks for that

If I start a thread with a question, or show pictures, I read all the posts. If someone else posts a picture, I read the first page, unless I am going to ask a question. If I am going to say "great job", then I post without reading. If I am going to ask further questions about the pattern, technique, etc. I read all the pages before posting.

I mainly only read the forums titled "Main" and "Pictures".

I don't think I know how to find the archive. When I go in, I usually click on "What's New" to see recent stuff. Now I'm curious about the archive option.
Lynn

I read over the Resource page and then go to the Archive at the bottom of page and see what is new in all catagories. I look at most of the pictures and most times comment. I read most of every comment and I get furious at the ones that ask a question that has already been answered. Some are obviously just skipping around. I have a lot of postings but, I spend spare time at work looking and commenting. In the evenings I sometimes don't turn computer on. I usually start at the last one I have read and go up. Sometimes I start at top and go down. I get furious at the ones who post something and never post to say how something turned out. Several are very bad about this.

I will never read all the comments before replying. I reply to as many posts as are interesting-----------------as I read them. Which is why I often have 4 or 5 or more replies end to end.

Every post I reply to, I get in my email. Some days I get 15 quilting board email responses. Every time someone responds to a post I wrote on, I get an email about it. It's crazy and I can't figure out how to fix this. How do I turn this feature off? I have way too many emails. I usually go to main and read the current posts and maybe page 2 and 3 if I have extra time to kill. I really enjoy the Quilting Board. It's like a friend to me. And I pick and choose which ones to read and I read all of the responses. If I started the post, I read all of the responses, of course. I do pm people and apologize for pming them, in case they are offended. Usually it's to ask where they acquired the pattern of the quilt they are showing. But there are certain people I admire and look for their advice on posts and have to read all the posts to find their responses. We have some very smart people on this board. My mentor is the smartest one on here!!

Click on SETTINGS (top right of screen).

Select GENERAL SETTINGS (on left side)

Under
<label for="sel_autosubscribe">Default Thread Subscription Mode:</label>
Select: Through my Control Panel ONLY

Further down is the Private Message option
If you want to, you can select to turn off those emails as well.

After you make your selections, you can still view your subscribed to threads by selecting SETTINGS at the top left of the screen.
If you have PM's, you'll get a pop-up box as soon as you access the QB site.

And no more emails.

Totally agree with Joyce, too. If I comment on someone's work I like to read what others have said. (Even so I often get impatient and post something that's already been posted!)

And, YES I do like to read the responses to my posts - you all are my sounding board. Living alone and not being a joiner of guilds and clubs makes your opinions extra worthwhile to me! Thank you all!

MTS, thanks for the explanation. I will probably continue to go to the Main section and read the threads. I normally am on several times during the day and often go back a few pages. I think that means I see most of the threads that are started. Plus, I am a creature of habit....but I really appreciate the explanation. : )

Dina

I read QB on my iPad in bed before I go to sleep. I generally read all of the postings on the threads I am interested in but I am a fast reader. I always read Main but I keep forgetting about the picture section. I know I must be missing out on some great inspiration.

If I have a comment I will post it. I don't know what you mean by the digest. I come to the board and check on some things I'm following or involved with like the swaps. And I'll look at whats new. Sometimes I'll see something there and look at it and post, and then realize it was started a long time ago, maybe even a year or more, but someone had come across it and posted to it so it is back in the current sphere. Sometimes those are really special to see too. I do try to keep track of my started threads or others that I would like to keep tabs on by using thread tools to subscribe to. If you have something to add why not?

I also pick and chose which threads to read. I have no interst in antiqu machines. I almost aways respond to people asking for quilting help. I have had several people PM me about my responses even though many responded before me. For them, yes I do think additional insight helps. Of course, if I don't care for a quilt or know nothing of the subject, I will say nothing. I don't read every posting on the threads I do read. I read eveything said in response to me and do appreciate the feedback. Like Nanna up north, I have limited access to major face to face quilting connections, so QB provides lots of inspiration to me.

I always notice the number of "hits" on each post. This shows me that how many members were interested. Then I look at the number of replys. Both matter to me.

Thanks everyone - and yes, I read every response. Special thanks for informing me of how you read the quilting board, being a "newbie" I have been going through the sections on the digest, picking the ones I like the best like main, photos, recipes, and not being able to distinguish ones I have read before. So, I'm really glad I asked the question and again, thank you for clueing me in on the fabulous options on the quilting board.

Thanks for asking - I too was wondering the same thing!

That is the feature I miss most about the old software for the QB - it was effortless to to just see the "new". I know there are other ways to do it, but I liked that and have, so far, just relied on the digest to get my daily fix.

If I read a post asking for assistance or advice, I will read thru the replies to make sure my answer hasn't already been mentioned (don't feel the need for the OP to see it 15 times). If the OP is posting a pic of a finished quilt and I feel like a response is necessary, then I will post regardless of how many others there may be. If there is a post the really intrigues me, then I will read every response and maybe even ask a question of my own. Each original post has different requirements for me and sorry to say that not all of them are read. For instance....since I have a Janome 6600, I don't want to read about someones issues with their Bernina....or someone complaining about quality of WalMart Fabrics. I either don't feel qualified to answer or don't have anything new to add to the thread.

I have had the same reaction you describe to messages that have grown to more than 5 pages. When I have seen some that are 15 or more pages long, I wonder if perhaps this is an old post that has been revived several times over. That thought was discouraging. I am not going to do more than just read the original in that case.

There is another thing that has discouraged me lately and that is the section on pictures. Many a new message in that category includes a photo right from the first posting. Has anyone here tried to do that lately? No matter how many times I have posted messages, I have never been able to add a photo until I respond to my own message or to someone's message that has responded to me. So how are pictures posted? Is that privilege only for certain members?

Yes it does. Your opinion matters.