Star Posting - What is it? Why do people do it? How do we stop it?

[gilmorefriend]

So, I have to make my posts more detailed, longer,  and more meaningful, right?  I'll try! For your ideawith the hang manb thing, that is good! We shoud also have conversations through it! That would be really fun!Totally off topic, but Lauren is in second now! http://theenvelope.latimes.com/ Everyone vote please!

[Sooks]

I think what frustates me the most is what frustates me about text messages via phone. When someone text messages me and the only thing I have to respond with is 'ok' or 'thanks' or 'bye' or 'good' or anything with one word that won't really make or break how the other person receives my message, I don't send another response. I think that a lot of the star posts that are seen around the forum are posts that really don't need to be made. They won't make or break what the other person understands out of the whole thing.

For example:
If you only are writing a post to say something like 'thank you for the ...' or 'OK, I see' or 'Oh I get it' or 'OH, me to!' or 'I agree!' or anything like that - either add to it and expand on it, or don't post it just then. Wait until you've got something more to add or say and then make a longer post.

Going back to the whole what would you do if you were at someone else's house and the rules were the rules thing...we are all members of the ORG for FREE. And we are all able to come here and use the bandwith (the space on the internet that one must pay for if they host a site) for FREE. And we are never asked to do anything for the good of the site, except to follow a few simple rules most of which are common sense and common respect. I think that we can find it in ourselves to do so and follow them, because it's the least we can do for a free site that we all agree is a wonderful thing!

Just think about what you post and if you could wait to post it or if the person will be okay without having a response on it. Then, you should probably wait and not post just then. If you're worried about how nice you seem, you can be polite towards others without having to use a post to say 'thank you' and that's it.

It shouldn't matter how long you're here a day, or what you're doing while you're here, what boards you're going to, or where you're posting. Just think about what you're posting. No one's asking anyone to write a novel when they post (though this comes easier to some more than others) just be respectful and think about your posts. This is not directed at any specific person, it is only meant to further the discussion on star posting! Thanks for listening!

[wmushell]

Very well put, Mel!  Here here!  I agree completely with what you wrote.    As I was reading your response, it reminded me of something my parents used to say when I was little, "You don't need to say every single thought that you think."  This is very true and it probably why I have a relatively low post count for the amount of time I've been a member of the ORG.  It is important to have a "filter" to know when a response is needed and when it is not - also, an appropriate response.  If one feels that they are expressing themselves and all they need is one line -- most likely they probably could have skipped a lot those posts.  The point is most definitely quality and not quantity!     

[Sooks]

OK, so I've come with another question in regards to star posting. When we notice it taking place on the forum, do we say something about it? And if we do say something, do we try to make suggestions on how to improve your posts so they aren't considered a 'star post'? I have no problem saying something when I notice it, as I think it's a growing problem, but I don't want to come off as trying to take a 'power trip play' or anything of that nature. I just want to try to keep the boards clean as well, I don't want to spend my time scrolling through a buch of 'ok, thanks' and 'that's really cool, I want to do that' or 'I agree, she is the best' because that doesn't move the discussion along. I think what people forget is that there's a difference between a "conversation" and a "discussion" and while the two could be easily confused, they are rather different.

I just thought I would ask what other people thought about bringing up the fact that there is star posting taking place in a thread. I don't want to beat this topic to death but the more and more I see it, the more annoyed I get for some reason. And I don't typically think of myself as getting easily annoyed.

I know that Heidi has a LOT of work on her hands and that she's doing the best she can with the site! I can't thank her enough! But I also know that she can't be in all the places on the forum, all the time. So, it effort to help keep order, I just thought I'd ask about what we can do! Thanks for your thoughts!

[honkifuluvGG]

I think that the more senior members of the board kind of have a responsibility to let newer members know of the general rules of our community.  Our rules are in the midst of being updated, but when I first came here, I remember being very tentative in my activity on the boards.  It's hard to take it all in and I appreciated those more senior (and I mean that in length of time here, not age) members helping me through my first forays. 

I don't think it would be, or should be, viewed as a power play but more a way to ensure that the standard of our environment doesn't falter.  I think it's important to remember to never individually attack the person and to be polite in your suggestions (as you always are Mel).  Other than that I would see it as being a positive contribution to the Org. 

[Sooks]

Thanks for the reassurance, Caryn! I would have thought it to be a positive contribution as well but wanted some feedback before actually puting such an effort into practice. If course, never attacking or blaming anyone, I wouldn't like to be called out for something in such a public fashion myself.

One of the things I love about the ORG is the way that people really help each other out here...and that goes for anything. Whether it be a question about GG or a technical question, a question about the forum, or the world in general! I have learned SO much from being a member here, I can't tell you how much that has meant to me!

Thanks again for your thoughts on that matter, you have made everything make more sense as only you can do!

[#1DeanLover]

And one thing about star posting, if you're on a thread where it's supposed to be really really short or one sentance (like one sentance story, hangman, three letter sentance, the ^<V game in fun and games) that's okay. I agree with short posts not making sense too. I can't understand what people mean. and I think other people get confused too. thanks. and how many sentances is in a star post? 3?

[Lovefiend]

The game threads are an exception to the star posts rule. They are designed to have short posts, and that's ok there. Basically everything under the 'fun and games' section is fine to post short posts in. I think generally 3 sentances is the agreed upon length for a post. obviously, there will probably be exceptions to this, but generally, 3 sentances. Now, I have a feeling you posted this here, so that somebody will come and prove what I said in the other thread wrong. I don't think it's going to happen. Please learn to post by the rules, and stop trying to make people reminding you of the rules into villains. Believe it or not, the rules, and people reminding people of them, are not there to upset you.

[#1DeanLover]

Sorry if it sounds that way. I am just showing the new people that there are several exceptions. do you think short posts don't make sense at all? they use appreviations that don't make sense. and I am ot trying to be anything bad. Star Posting is something I try EXTREMELY hard not to do. I usually post at least 4 sentances. Star posting is something everybody did or does at least once.

[mela489]

haha, well, I know I am completely a culprit of it, but something that sort of falls under the category of star posting, is the abbreviation thing (because the abbreviations in different languages are different).  Well I don't use those too often, but its the typo's I'm manly talking about.  If you just glance at your post you will notice most of it makes no sense (I know what you mean and meant to have written, but not everybody will)  So it is definitely helpful to kind of 'edit' check your posts before you post them.  Using capital letters at beginning of posts, spelling especially (haha, I have a mac now, so it automatically checks my spelling, but I am not a good speller at all, so I say try, and if you are close its good) just you put "appreviations" when its "abb..."  and other typo's where your hands just go too fast, like "ot" instead of "to".  I don't mean to be picking on you at all, you just have a lot of good examples (I think you might have even done it on purpose).  Its just, I think if I were trying to do this in french, abbreviations wouldn't make as much sense.  Example: me 2. (me too).  think in head "moi deux" ...wait, that doesn't make sense, because it would really be "moi aussi"  english the two happen to sound the same, but not other languages.

[MasBYUgal]

Here are some thoughts...

If one is constantly trying to decipher whether their post is a star post, it just might be and not worth writing.  I really don't consider the 3 sentence rule to be set in stone and if one in consistently writing exactly 4 sentences,  JUST TO NOT STAR POST, well then it still might be.  What matters is the content of the post, not always the length - though that can help,  One can jusy as easily post nothing in 3-4 sentences as one can in one word.  So basically trying to lengthen what can be simply said into one sentence into 4, just for the purpose 'of not star posting', is just as problematic.

As for politness ...
If you have the desire to respond to a helpful post by adding a 'thank you' or ' you're welcome', you can always send a simple PM to them along those lines.  This way you can be polite to all and not clutter up the boards.

As for notifying offenders..
This point is tricky and difficult.  I agree as more experienced forum users we have a responsibility to lend a hand to the more novice users, but it can be a difficult line to walk.  I think it depends on our comfort level because we don't need a 'star posting police force;.  I think gentle reminders and pointing them in the direction of the rules - is a good place to start.  If one is comfortable, maybe a kind welcoming PM explaining how the org runs. 

As for grammar...
Yes, we all need to be careful.  Since I've been doing a lot of 1-handed posts, I'm guilty of this too.  It's important we realize this is an international forum and English is pretty much the lengua franca here.  In order for our posts to be the most comprehensible, we can all work on our writing/typing skills and use the best grammar  we can.  Yet don't stress if English isn't your first language.  All we're asking is to do your best and try.  Also, don't be afraid to ask for help.  (I do teach English to those who don't speak it;))