Impersonal posts

Pretzel

Senior Member
It may be just me, but...

There are often times when a new person will join the forums, and in their first post, list all of their equipment, a specific situation, and ask a question, and they're greeted with this:

Welcome to the forum

If you fill out your profile we can better answer any questions that you might have.
You can do that at http://nikonites.com/profile.php?do=editprofile

FAQ

Some useful links
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answ...e-for-download
Nikon | Imaging Products | Digitutor


Thanks

Become a Contributing Member

To me, it just seems impersonal, as it does nothing to answer their question, but rather makes it look like an automated post from someone that didn't even bother reading all of the aforementioned details. *shrug* Anyone else ever notice this?

I've seen a few different moderators respond with this, so not singling out anyone in particular, but it just rubs me the wrong way. Probably doesn't help that I'm a supervisor in the customer service area of things. ;) I'm often telling folks, "If it sounds as if you're responding to a clue or prompt instead of directly interacting with an individual, you've lost that personal touch our customers value..."
 
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kluisi

Senior Member
It may be just me, but...

There are often times when a new person will join the forums, and in their first post, list all of their equipment, a specific situation, and ask a question, and they're greeted with this:



To me, it just seems impersonal, as it does nothing to answer their question, but rather makes it look like an automated post from someone that didn't even bother reading all of the aforementioned details. *shrug* Anyone else ever notice this?

I've seen a few different moderators respond with this, so not singling out anyone in particular, but it just rubs me the wrong way. Probably doesn't help that I'm a supervisor in the customer service area of things. ;) I'm often telling folks, "If it sounds as if you're responding to a clue or prompt instead of directly interacting with an individual, you've lost that personal touch our customers value..."

Maybe that same message could be sent as a PM instead of inline on the thread?
 

WayneF

Senior Member
It may be just me, but...

There are often times when a new person will join the forums, and in their first post, list all of their equipment, a specific situation, and ask a question, and they're greeted with this:



To me, it just seems impersonal, as it does nothing to answer their question, but rather makes it look like an automated post from someone that didn't even bother reading all of the aforementioned details. *shrug* Anyone else ever notice this?


Agreed... At least reverse it to start it off with a welcome, and the possibly useful links, and only then make the selfserving demands about the profile. :)
 
Mainly it is me. We do it for a reason. They may list it in their first post but the next thread they do not so someone answers with a response that will not be correct for their camera so we have to ask them again what camera are you using. Also the answer to a question may be different depending on what country you are from. WE also get a lot of 1 post people they come in ask a question and never come back because they got their answer. Filling out the profile just shows a little more commitment. My response is there to ask them to fill it out but it also gives them links to some good information that all of us can use and it also lists the FAQ for the site. I am sorry if you think it is impersonal but I think it is a help to everyone answering posts from people.
 
Agreed... At least reverse it to start it off with a welcome, and the possibly useful links, and only then make the selfserving demands about the profile. :)

Like Wayne here. He answers a question about the D7100. How much weight do I give his answer since I have no idea what camera he shoots.
Sorry Wayne, I do give your answers weight but you popped up first as an example.
 

Krs_2007

Senior Member
It would be better if you could force this at sign up or have a way to force it after their first post. I see the need for it and never really put that much into the response, guess I am use to it.
 

WayneF

Senior Member
That sure is a tough criteria.. Do you mean I have to purchase every Nikon camera before I can discuss how some feature works? Somebody is kidding somebody. :)
 
That sure is a tough criteria.. Do you mean I have to purchase every Nikon camera before I can discuss how some feature works? Somebody is kidding somebody. :)

Not at all. Many questions are very non-camera specific. But If I have a question about a certain thing going on with my D7100 I would think someone with that camera would have a better idea on how to solve my problem. It is like your flash fundamentals. There are so many things about light that everyone can use. Light is Light and it all works the same. Ratios of fill to main to back are what they are. Great information. iTTL though is different from manual flash. Totally different subject and someone who does not understand iTTL would just get lost if you just explained to him manual because you had never seen or worked with iTTL. (Again, just an example and not directed at your work)
All this is is just a way of communicating so we all know what the levels of different people is. Pretzel shoots a D3100, I started off with that camera My answer to his questions will be different than my response to someone who has a d7000 would be. I don't answer specific questions on any of the Full Frame cameras because I would not know what to say to help them.
 

Pretzel

Senior Member
Mainly it is me. We do it for a reason. They may list it in their first post but the next thread they do not so someone answers with a response that will not be correct for their camera so we have to ask them again what camera are you using. Also the answer to a question may be different depending on what country you are from. WE also get a lot of 1 post people they come in ask a question and never come back because they got their answer. Filling out the profile just shows a little more commitment. My response is there to ask them to fill it out but it also gives them links to some good information that all of us can use and it also lists the FAQ for the site. I am sorry if you think it is impersonal but I think it is a help to everyone answering posts from people.

How about something more along the lines of <personal, personal, personal, and by the way, if you fill out your profile at: link, you won't have to provide all of these details with future questions?> or <personal greeting, answer if needed, and... since you're new, here's some information that might prove to be helpful in the future as well:>

Again, not pointing any fingers, and I *DO* think that having someone fill out their profile is important for future conversations. I'm just talking about the "do I feel welcome" side of things, and it strikes me funny every time I see the above as the only response. From what I know of you (since you listed yourself as an example), you've got a heckuva lot more personality than that. Noobies should be exposed to it early and often! :cool:
 
How about something more along the lines of <personal, personal, personal, and by the way, if you fill out your profile at: link, you won't have to provide all of these details with future questions?> or <personal greeting, answer if needed, and... since you're new, here's some information that might prove to be helpful in the future as well:>

Again, not pointing any fingers, and I *DO* think that having someone fill out their profile is important for future conversations. I'm just talking about the "do I feel welcome" side of things, and it strikes me funny every time I see the above as the only response. From what I know of you (since you listed yourself as an example), you've got a heckuva lot more personality than that. Noobies should be exposed to it early and often! :cool:

i generally do answer second if I have any idea of what I am talking about. Many times it just comes down to time. I spend a lot of time on here every day trying to keep up with what is going on. We have problem children that need to be watched and problem threads that do get out of control so a close eye is important. I have a number of members that I try to look at their threads every day and comment on them if they really catch my eye. It may be a short answer but at least you know I liked it more than just clicking "Like"
If I don't catch the new members the day that they come on I stand a chance of missing them entirely so yes I do welcome them as soon as I see them.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
I got the same message after my first post here, and it did not really bother me, as I thought it was just an automated message.
It's not like he told me to press 1 for English.:)
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Maybe that same message could be sent as a PM instead of inline on the thread?
I like this idea very much. While I don't *mind* the messages being inline, I certainly wouldn't miss them either.

PM'ing just seems like the infinitely better approach to me.

...
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
My first post I didn't even own a camera!
I was asking for advice on whether to buy a D3200 or a D5100
In the end I got the totally wrong advice and bought the D5100 based on "flip a coin, you'll be very happy with either one."
Where were those D7100 guys when I really needed them? :(
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
My first post I didn't even own a camera!
I was asking for advice on whether to buy a D3200 or a D5100
In the end I got the totally wrong advice and bought the D5100 based on "flip a coin, you'll be very happy with either one."
Where were those D7100 guys when I really needed them? :(

That's nothing. I went out to look for a decent point and shoot camera, and came home with the D3100.:eek:
 

Macmagoo

Senior Member
It may be just me, but...

There are often times when a new person will join the forums, and in their first post, list all of their equipment, a specific situation, and ask a question, and they're greeted with this:



To me, it just seems impersonal, as it does nothing to answer their question, but rather makes it look like an automated post from someone that didn't even bother reading all of the aforementioned details. *shrug* Anyone else ever notice this?

I've seen a few different moderators respond with this, so not singling out anyone in particular, but it just rubs me the wrong way. Probably doesn't help that I'm a supervisor in the customer service area of things. ;) I'm often telling folks, "If it sounds as if you're responding to a clue or prompt instead of directly interacting with an individual, you've lost that personal touch our customers value..."

I agree. I have noticed this on quite a lot of posts and I personally think that if someone is asking a simple question it can surely be answered on most occasions without the need to complete their profile. If I am being truthful I think it is really annoying.
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
Conversely if you are asking for help is it not reasonable to supply some details so that others can easily assist you?
Its a tough one and I am just thankful that we have people who willingly do the hard yards for no reward - ok maybe the odd delicious cookie or two.
 

Macmagoo

Senior Member
Conversely if you are asking for help is it not reasonable to supply some details so that others can easily assist you?
Its a tough one and I am just thankful that we have people who willingly do the hard yards for no reward - ok maybe the odd delicious cookie or two.

This is being asked of people who don't even have there kit yet so they can not complete their profile. I think the idea of an email or PM would be a better idea but not for people who are looking for advice on what kit to purchase.
 

John P

Senior Member
I don't look at peoples profiles. I just answer based on the question, or the thread it is asked in.
Do most of you go through peoples profiles before answering their questions?
 
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