Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
Personally, I tend to write long posts…
Originally Posted by
DGlenday
I try to keep my posts as short as possible.
I don't have the time or patience to read long posts and tend to skim them. I know that doesn't do justice to the writer, but I'd be here all day if I were to read every long post properly.
Thanks for reading my (long) post, and your considered reply. As a Famous Writer wrote,
“If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.”
I only read the threads and posts that interest me. If I'm particularly interested in the content then I'm motivated to read no matter how long. It takes some time to write a properly composed long post, and I take my chances that my expenditure of time might connect with another interested reader.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
When writing a post, the reader can consider the message in its totality (or totally ignore it). Then the reader can formulate feedback as an entirely uninterrupted message as well… I would hope that the reader would find my message interesting and/or informative. Even if not, the process of putting my thoughts in print in a well-composed post is its own reward.
For me, reading and posting to these forums so germane to my cycling lifestyle are not just for my amusement, but also to connect with like-minded people. Not many in my social and professional circles are avid cyclists.
Originally Posted by
Frankfast
Forums for me are just like fast food. If I want something healthy, I'll read some good fiction.
It's surprising to me, how much seeming discontent has been expressed on this thread about nasty entanglements, if indeed the correspondence of the forums is so ephemeral. I was particularly surprised by this current thread:
Originally Posted by
cranky old dude
... has anyone else noticed that almost every thread in 50+ develops into an argument. Have we all turned into a bunch of old fuddy-duddies with a "My way or the hiway" attitude?
I think I'm getting to be too young for all this surly, bitter, know-it-all bickering. There has to be a more light hearted place to have fun. I know it ain't much fun around here lately.
See ya when/if this place ever becomes more hospitable.
Originally Posted by
DGlenday
I assume others have the same time constraints - so to (try to) make my posts easy to read:
- I keep 'em short, and
- I use many paragraph breaks.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
So other than a quip, if I'm motivated to reply to a thread, it means enough to me to express myself as completely and clearly as possible, with style.
For me, the art of composition is to make my posts easy to read, particularly if they are “long,” Paragraph breaks are certainly key tool to do that-- seven lines maximum. I would suggest that three such paragraphs would constitute a “long” post, excluding textbox quotations.
On occasions, I have encountered other cyclists en route during ride and I talk up Bike Forums. I occasionally get a haughty response,
“Well, I'd rather spend my time cycling than posting.” to which I answer,
“Well, I post while working, when I can't be cycling.” 
Originally Posted by
DGlenday
And - I think Smilies are valid in a forum environment. They communicate expression very well, while keeping the posts brief.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
I once saw an ad in a sports magazine for something being endorsed by Lance Armstrong. He was quoted as something like,
"No man over thirty should ever use smilies...period."
I once mentioned that quote to a colleague to which she replied,
“Lance has credibility issues -- 
"