Rowan

This is something I noted upon joining the forum a few months ago--something that was new to me--and I'm curious as to other forum members' opinions.

For example, let's say someone starts a thread, and posts a picture with a few comments. A handful of people respond with praise and admiration, basically all variations of "fantastic scissor work" or "great job! how adorable," and yet only a select few are thanked. Now perhaps I'm reading too much into this, but it has always given me pause. Do you only thank your friends? Do you only thank those members you like (or think you like)? If I start a thread, I tend to thank everyone who takes time out of their lives to respond. Overall, I'm fairly generous with my 'thanks' as I'm grateful for constructive advice, helpful input or kind words. But that's just me.

My biggest issue with this "thanks" button is it appears to promote 'cliquish' behavior. The other Boards I belong to do NOT use the visible "thanks" button but use a "Rep" system. You can rep someone for a post and only that person can see your rep. Others know how many rep points you've earned by scrolling their mouse cursor over the Rep Symbol. On boards with large memberships, it's generally those who offer constructive advice or positive comments who have the highest number of rep points. But you have to dig a little to see a member's score. (At a certain point you max out.)

So, what do you all think? Good system? Bad system? Both?

PammiPoodle

This is an interesting way of seeing it. I never thought of it that way. But, I'm kind of new here! At first I had no idea what the thank button was for or what the proper thanking etiquette was!! In my intro thread I posted a pic of my pup and got lots of compliments on her and I wanted to "thank" everyone who said she was pretty, but then I thought "No, that can't be right. I'm sure no one uses the "thanks" button that freely!" But then, I did anyway. : P I use it any time I would say thanks in person. If someone says "Nice work!" or "Pretty dog!" or offers me helpful advice, I say thanks. : ) If someone were to post in one of my threads "Hey, where did you get her?" I wouldn't click "thanks", I'd just answer the question. Now, if it were "She's so cute! Where did you get her?", I would say, and click, "thanks" and answer the question. I try to use the real world as my guide, if I would say "Thank you" I will click "thanks". Also, in a thread that isn't mine, I'll "thank" people for offering good advice or making a good point. Again, because I would show appreciation in person. It's also, I think, a clear way of showing agreement without cluttering up the thread by repeating what was already said if I don't have anything else to add.

Other people may just post a thank you reply to thank all the responders. Maybe they don't mean anything by not clicking "thanks". That's what I planned to do at first, but then clicked "thanks" as well. : P Now I do both. I'll periodically reply with thanks and any comments to add or respond to, and I still click the "thanks" button. : )

Now, all that said, I "thanked" no one in my last thread from yesterday!! Gotta go check it out and say (or click) my thanks!!

Rowan

This is exactly how I view it as well.

faerie

i "thanked" you just to be annoying

tee hee

oh i give thanks sometimes when i remember and sometimes i forget and oh i dunno.

Maura9900

I've been on many message boards, and this is the first time I've ever seen a Thanks button. I forget it's even there! When I remember, I use it. In real life, I always say thank you!

Marciemae

I use the "thanks" when a post is helpful to me in some way. For instance, I thanked you, Rowan, for the posts about the LP back order. It was my way of letting you know that I read it. It beats cluttering up your inbox with questions, lol!

lavillerose

I agree with Rowan. When it first came up, I thought it was unnecessary and yes, promoted clique-ish behavior. And frankly, really lazy in this Facebook day and age.

If I like or agree with what someone has said and I think it's important that I visibly voice that on the internet, I'll say so. With actual words and intelligent thought behind it. If I agree and it's not all that important to say so, I don't comment. Same applies if I don't agree.

The idea of "Likes" and "Thanks" and "Kudos" in various websites or messageboards is just amplifying the already astonishing dissociative laziness in society these days. If you want to make friends and be social, talk to people with words and content, just like real life. We're already sitting on our butts in front of a computer online, the very least we could do is exercise our frontal lobes.

Rowan

I thanked everyone for contributing to my thread! LOL

Faerie, you didn't annoy me so you failed! Ha!

Michelle

I rarely use it, I cant remember the last time or if I ever have used it. I usually just look over it and forget that its even there and just reply in another post if they asked a question, otherwise I appreciate there comments and don't reply (I'd take up so much room to thank someone after every comment on a picture thread. I just assume they know I appreciate their comments).

__________________
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liljaker

Now that you mention it, it is funny, I must admit there are some posters who are, um, a bit more "know it all" than others, and I find myself, in spite of the information, NOT thanking them -- especially if they have made comments to me contradicting information I may have found useful to someone. That said, I guess it's a mood thing for me, so not quite sure how to intperpret the tally of how many times I was thanked in X posts, etc.

I find some very nice and courteous members, and some not so much --- I try to stay in the background since I am a newbie, even tho it says I am a senior member (did they see my drivers licenses?) --- just kidding -- anyway, I have enjoyed the forum and find the bantor curious at times but always interesting.