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When (not) to use the quote button

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Started by Teethgrinder (René Fennema) Administrator in Site Announcements

We have noticed that the quote function is regularly being used to post a reply when it’s not necessary to do so. This results in superfluous content which makes threads less comfortable to read. Here are some hints on when (not) to use the quote button.

If you wish to reply to a specific comment made by somebody which was made several posts previously, and you cannot make it clear that you are referring to that comment by mentioning the poster’s name or repeating a few words from their post, you can use the quote function. This can also be useful if what you’re responding to is a small portion of a large comment made earlier.

In both cases, please edit the quote accordingly, removing all content which is not needed to make clear what you are responding to.

Obviously it’s not necessary to quote from the post immediately before your own, as it should already be clear what you’re responding to. You also normally don’t need to quote the original message of the thread - even if there are a lot of replies - as it should be clear that your reply relates to that first post (assuming the thread is on-topic), if it’s not a direct reply to another post.

To achieve our goal of keeping the boards as readable and user-friendly as possible, we will actively edit or delete quoted comments when not used appropriately (obviously leaving the actual post as-is, assuming it’s not in violation with any other guideline(s)). If you have any feedback on this issue, do let us know! Thanks for reading :-)

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 00:11

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#1

rocking roxy wrote:

Title: Re: When (not) to use the quote button

Teethgrinder wrote:

Obviously it’s not necessary to quote from the post immediately before your own, as it should already be clear what you’re responding to. You also normally don’t need to quote the original message of the thread - even if there are a lot of replies - as it should be clear that your reply relates to that first post (assuming the thread is on-topic), if it’s not a direct reply to another post.

yeah but sometimes, there are two people answering to a thread at the same time…and to make sure, to what you are answering it might be helpfull too quote a part…

i’m starting wondering if you have so many rules at your home too…like:

§ 108.
“To make the walk to the toilet easier, please let the paper hang down already exact 5cm from that thing which is holding the paper, so that the next person can easiely grap it and rip it off with less problems…”
:D

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 13:56

#2

Michael wrote:

Nice one Roxana! *Breaking the law, breaking the law!*

I also can’t help feeling the ‘chains o’ rules’ get fastened tighter and tighter around our necks! It’s great if you want these boards to be well-organised, but then again, getting off-topic and reacting to each other’s posts (by quoting) really add to the fun of these boards, please don’t ruin it by posing too many rules, it really gets on my nerves every now and then.

Other than that, this site is great btw!

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 14:29

#3

RobbyVDH wrote:

I will not “quote” anyone here, but 2 comments:

1. @Roxana: YOU ROCK HONEY :D !! I’m proud of you my little devil ;)

2. @Michael: I totally agree with you, exactly my thoughts as well ;)

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 17:19

#4

Citizen Erased wrote:

Title: Other rules for the bathroom

Please remember, don’t forget
Never leave the bathroom wet
Nor leave the soap still in the water
(That’s a thing we never oughta)
Nor leave the towels about the floor
Nor keep the bath an hour or more
When other folks are wanting one
Please remember, it isn’t done!

as for the quote stuff - coudn’t have said it better myself ;)

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 17:22

#5

Teethgrinder (René Fennema) Administrator wrote:

Roxy and Robby, I’m not really surprised that you feel this way, as you are two of the worst ‘offenders’ when it comes to using the quote button too often.

I’m not sure if the fact that Roxy quoted part of my post was meant as a joke, but it proves my point regardless. My post was not against using the quote button at all (why would it be there otherwise?) but against using it when it’s not necessary, for example when posting a direct reply to the previous post in the thread. There are several people who almost always quote posts entirely even in this case.

Let me just say - before this turns into an unneccesary heated debate - my post was meant as a set of hints as I already mentioned and not as a new rule in the guidelines.

I know for a fact that there are several people (both members and non-members) who find the inappropriate use of quoting annoying, which led us to posting some hints about it, as there might also be people who are not aware of the downsides of using it.

If the shoe fits…

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 17:54

#6

RobbyVDH wrote:

Again I will not quote your message (:p), but I think you’re really overreacting on this…

And what kind of statistics are you using to accuse us of being the worst offenders?

And I want to see some hard numbers here Rene…

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 18:45

#7

Reverend Savage? wrote:

Title: My two pence

The quote button is easy to use because you can see what you are replying to as you are posting. If you don’t use it -like I’m doing here - you can see nothing but what YOU are writing. Now, for those of us with short-term memory problems (drink induced or otherwise), this makes life more difficult than it need be. Now, if the ‘post reply’ screen showed the last few posts…

Also, think of all those cracking one liners that have followed an unfortunate quote - these boards wouldn’t be the same without them.

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 18:54

#8

Teethgrinder (René Fennema) Administrator wrote:

Reverend, you might want to scroll down a bit on the post reply screen… :p

I don’t see how I’m overreacting on anything. I got feedback on this from several people (and Sarah and I have the opinion ourselves as well) that this is something that needed to be mentioned. It’s not something we thought of just to make your life more difficult. We could have taken the approach of e-mailing all ‘offenders’ personally, but we chose to post it on the boards instead so it’s out in the open, and the hints would be available for new members as well.

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 19:19

#9

RobbyVDH wrote:

I repeat my comment from above (again without quoting):

How do you determine if someone is quoting too much?

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 19:24

#10

rocking roxy wrote:

1. i never saw me, being one of the worst quoting button user…and! i still don’t see me as one…and i will stay with my opinion…if you haven’t recognized it, but sometimes i’m also just simply using the @-button

2. that means i will keep on using it…cause actually i’m the same opion like Mr. Savage.
for me it’s like this…when people start writing an entire novel…but i just want to say s.th about a little part of it…then i like to point out which part i mean…well, and using the quote button is much easier then repeating everything again, which would bring the same result actually…so who cares if i quote s.o. or repeat the stuff?

3. who are those people complaining?
are this the same ones complaing about people going off-topic?
how can you complain about s.th like this?…hello are we in army here? does everything has to go straight on…well, please let me know, when i shall sit straight during writing…
and! i don’t see a problem with reading the stuff then, as normally there’s that nice box around it…so???…or am i the only one who sees that box in a thread?…hmm, then there must be s.th. wrong with my eyes

4.(not using the quote button, but repeating s.th!!!): well, you said it’s about people quoting s.th entirely, like in this case…
well, and with that, i think you meant me again…well, if i would have quoted your post entirely then i wouldn’t have deleted the beginning and the end…sorry, but my definition of entirely is s.th. else
so i think there are other people who are quoting a post entirely…

5.well this isn’t meant to “heat up the debate”…and no, i’m not overreacting…but you asked for our opions and so i just let you know what i’m thinking of it…

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 20:08

#11

Teethgrinder (René Fennema) Administrator wrote:

Thanks for giving your opinion.

If you want people to respect your opinion, I think it’s better not to disqualify others’ opinions by asking things like “how can you complain about s.th like this?…hello are we in army here?”. Are the opinions of people who think that’s it good to stay on-topic and correctly use the features of these message boards less important? I think not.

Finally, let me again make it clear that there are several perfect reasons for using the quote button. My original post was just to provide some hints on when and when not to use it. Again, if the shoe fits…

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 20:31

#12

RobbyVDH wrote:

It seems you’re kind of ignoring me here…

So I will ask again:

Based on what did you come to the conclusion that Roxy and I are the worst offenders?

If you post something like that, you should at least back that up with some clear evidence. If you can not do that, don’t make such a comment please.

I know you think I’m acting like a smartass again, but this time I’m asking a serious question (I know that’s rare, but you see: it does happen sometimes :D)

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 20:46

#13

soul doubt (an) wrote:

I think a quoted post is a lot easier to read than an @-sign… by using the @-signs you have to scroll up again to see what the person who would have been quoted said… It goes a lot faster, you know if you didn’t visit the boards for a few days and there are like 500 new posts (I love to know EVERYTHING :P) you have to scroll up and down all the time, you’re getting a bit drunk… and if I would read all the new posts at work, my boss would know I’m doing something I may not…
He will fire me… you see what this can cause??? :(

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 21:08

#14

Teethgrinder (René Fennema) Administrator wrote:

I was trying to ignore you Robby, but apparently it isn’t working ;-)

If you’re really honest I’m sure you know what I’m talking about, but if you’re not, here are a few examples (which haven’t been edited out yet):

http://www.therapyquestionmark.co.uk/wallofmouths/showthread.php? … #post51992
http://www.therapyquestionmark.co.uk/wallofmouths/showthread.php? … #post53072
http://www.therapyquestionmark.co.uk/wallofmouths/showthread.php? … #post52575
http://www.therapyquestionmark.co.uk/wallofmouths/showthread.php? … #post53063

Also see the thread linked below.

I’m not keeping statistics on who used the quote button how many times, where, etc. Give me a break. It’s just something that I see when I read the boards.

Soul doubt, if I knew it may cost you your job, I would have never posted this! ;-) However, with the risk of repeating myself again, there ARE good reasons to quote someone. Maybe another example thread is in place (which is not a stab at anyone who posted in it) to get part of my point across:

http://www.therapyquestionmark.co.uk/wallofmouths/showthread.php? … genumber=3

This is one of many. Don’t tell me you don’t see what I’m talking about.

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 22:08

#15

soul doubt (an) wrote:

Robby, shame on you! ;)

Posted on Fri, 28 November 2003 at 22:59

#16

RobbyVDH wrote:

I know that I’m quite often using the quote button, but I’m not convinced that it’s a lot more than some others on this board. And if you don’t have hard numbers to prove your point, don’t mention names in your post. But if you say that I am using it too much, I will not keep arguing about it… I will try to please you by not quoting too often…

But I think it’s quite unfair and offensive to insinuate that I’m not honest… so I would very much appreciate it if you would take back that comment. I think it’s very cool what you have done with this site and it’s a brilliant forum to bring fans from all over the world in contact with each other, but it does not give you the right to make such comments and act like God Almighty on this board.

And this is not meant as a personal attack Rene, just my HONEST opinion ;)

Posted on Sat, 29 November 2003 at 10:26

#17

Reverend Savage? wrote:

Teethgrinder wrote:

Reverend, you might want to scroll down a bit on the post reply screen… :p

Doh! :D

Posted on Sat, 29 November 2003 at 10:29

#18

Teethgrinder’s post on Sat, 29 November 2003 at 14:13 was deleted by a moderator

#19

Citizen Erased wrote:

Teethgrinder wrote:

not… a new rule in the guidelines.

Well no, guidlelines being guidance and rules being mandatory, by implication you cannot have a rule in a set of guidelines.

Good use of the quote function I thought.

Posted on Sat, 29 November 2003 at 17:38

#20

Teethgrinder (René Fennema) Administrator wrote:

Actually, I don’t think it’s good use of any function if it’s being used to outsmart me :D

But yes, both you and RS? have shown good uses of the quote function in their most recent posts in this thread. Are you paying attention, Robby? ;-)

Seriously though, if you expect me to apologise to you for things I haven’t said, after you accuse me of acting like God Almighty on these boards, think again.

I think it’s all just a case of miscommunication between us. First of all, I have never said that you do it a lot more than some others on these boards. I said that you are one of the worst offenders, which means that there’s a group of people that do it relatively often, and that you’re one of them.

Secondly, I didn’t (mean to) say you were being dishonest. The ‘if you’re not’ part of my sentence was related to ‘you know what I’m talking about’, so it should have probably been ‘if you don’t’, if you get what I’m saying. Anyway, it’s probably best if I leave the issues of grammar and meaning to CE (wink, wink).

Posted on Sat, 29 November 2003 at 19:16

#21

Ronald wrote:

Uhm…Robby and Roxanna…not to offend you in any way, BUT Rene is right…again…no offence, but a little bit less wouldn’t do any harm, it sometimes looks like you are chatting and quoting away…

Posted on Sat, 29 November 2003 at 19:23

#22

rocking roxy wrote:

yeah well, s.th like this is just challenging me to use it just more often…just to annoy you…and if you want to edit all of them…phh…if you don’t have anything else to do…

Posted on Sat, 29 November 2003 at 20:03

#23

Ronald wrote:

Are you being serious here??? I am not trying to offend you and Robby in any way like I said, but if you are only able to check the boards once in a while it can be a little bit annoying ok, and I think it is very sad if you like annoying me or people in general…I don’t edit anything, or ignore anyone!You are being very childish here!

Posted on Sat, 29 November 2003 at 20:28

#24

rocking roxy wrote:

hmmm, now i want to give a little hint too…read the first post from our webmaster, then you will know who and what i meant

ha, see rene! quoting is GOOD! :p…

Posted on Sat, 29 November 2003 at 21:38

#25

Teethgrinder (René Fennema) Administrator wrote:

rocking roxy wrote:

hmmm, now i want to give a little hint too…read the first post from our webmaster, then you will know who and what i meant

ha, see rene! quoting is GOOD! :p…

Yeah, but not all the time.

Sigh.

Posted on Sat, 29 November 2003 at 21:40

#26

RobbyVDH wrote:

OK, I don’t care anymore about this damn’ quote button and therefore I will end the discussion here.

Just 1 thing that’s still of any relevance: Ronald and Rene are now permanently banned from the invitation list for our wedding :p

by the way Ronald, it’s Roxana and NOT Roxanna…

Posted on Sat, 29 November 2003 at 22:57

#27

hoochalobster (Sarah) Super Moderator wrote:

I think the key point in these new tips about the quote function is about user readability. As CM I read every single post on this message board (even the ones about Metallica :rolleyes: ) and I really don’t like it when virtually every post in a thread has the previous post quoted in it. What’s the point? It’s a lot easier on the eye without the repetition.

It seems that many people are just automatically hitting ‘quote’ instead of ‘reply’ and that’s really not what the function is for at all.

So, it’s a polite request to make the boards a bit more readable (and it’s mine and Rene’s job to make this board as enjoyable as possible) and really not that much hassle, surely?

edit: I hope this doesn’t mean my invite will be ‘lost in the post’ ;)

Posted on Sun, 30 November 2003 at 00:04

#28

3ddo-on-the-balcony (eddo) wrote:

Good fun reading this thread so far, but that’s not the issue is it? ;)

Posted on Wed, 3 December 2003 at 12:03

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