OP's AWOL.
 

Anyone else bothered by the number of original poster's who show up out of nowhere and post a question that gets a large number of responses, and then never revisit the thread? IOW, they start a thread where there is a bunch of debate amongst the regulars and then they never come back.

Seems like that happens a lot on here.

- on this forum, or on BF in general?

- i agree w/you though... i like closure on a thread, especially one in which a question is asked... this helps future searches and can cull out the cruft...

- of course, i also seem to be a thread killer... kinda like the twit that wanders into a group, then makes a comment, resulting in silence and a slow disbanding...

:-)

p.s. i did closure on a question in the wrench sub-forum earlier, so i get a bonus karma point - especially since i posted a pic...

sometimes those large threads get way off topic or go down a path that the OP never indended. i've had a few threads like that and after it gets to like the 3rd page, you just say to yourself "enough". especailly if a fight breaks out that spans a couple of pages.

Use the subscribe function and set it up so you auto-subscribe to any thread you post in... then you can just hit the Control Panel up in the upper right of the screen to get a list of all of those posts.

I just figured it out last week. It's a nice function. You can set it up at the Control Panel.

First thing I do when I get online is the search. I search for my user name, and look for replies in threads I have been in. It will have bold titles for ones with new messages.

Or do a "Search the Forums" for your member name. Then bookmark the url of the resultant page. That page will have "Find all posts by this user" to click on. That's the first place I go. It's always amazing how a month or two later someone adds to the thread.

I'm talking about threads where the poster is often looking for specific info, the mechanic's forum comes to mind. The OP, posts and asks a question about how to do something, and gets several good replies, and then you never hear from them again. Basically things like that. I am sure we have all done this especially if you post a lot.

I guess i am speaking more of the poster that is basically not a regular that posts a good question, gets good answers and then disappears into the sunset.

It's an issue that is not new nor unique to this board. There are a lot of trolls out there who get their jollies from starting flame wars. There are also a lot of people who just want some specific bit of info, and they get their answer with a couple of posts, then leave. They probably don't know they've started some big debate (or, more likely, just don't care).

It's no big deal. You just have to accept this place for what it is.

As I wrote above, going to the User Control Panel and setting up the Subscribe function to automatically subscribe you to threads you have posted in is WAY convenient. Saves having to search. It only shows threads that have actually been updated since you last were on, as well as lists new PM messages.

Can't believe I was on the board a year before I figured it out!!

I seem to have have this effect also. I was thinking about adding thread killer to my signature. :)

What gets me more than no closure, are the OPs that ask a question and then do not respond with specific information that has been requested by a member trying to help them. Maybe they figured it out on their own and forgot about the post, or was too busy to reply.

i think that's a troll thread

yeah, a little thanks goes a long way. Too bad no one sticks around that long :(

That's why my typical response is, "If you have to ask the question, you already know the answer."

Most times folks are just fishing for confirmation of what they were going to do. Even if they don't get it, they still go with what they want to do anyway...like asking a rhetorical question.

just because the OP didn't hang around didn't mean it helped anybody. I often get answers from threads like that. So no, it doesn't bother me.

I'm pretty new around here, so I guess I'm still on my best behavior. I try to spread a hearty thank you all 'round. Now that I've been shown the Pure Path to Posting Pics, it's easier to observe common courtesy. It just makes sense in a group. I started a thread on Mustache Bars for Touring and it ended up being pretty long. I closed it a week ago but now I've been able to actually show the responders what transpired as a result of their valued opinions.