Pet peeve
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 126
Pet peeve
I enjoy reading the newcomer's forum, but I've noticed that occasionally newcomers post extremely long paragraphs which are difficult to read. In fact, I never read them which I'm sure is my loss. I figure why should I spend the time formatting posts to make them easier to read? That's the original poster's job.
Anyway, it's a minor issue; I just thought I'd post a reminder since the majority of newcomers probably don't read the Policies, Rules & Posting Tips (myself included) until they've been here awhile.
From Policies, Rules & Posting Tips
General Posting Tips
Please break up your posts with paragraphs. Typing a 400 word run-on sentence is very difficult to read. Your posts are important and members will likely skip over what you have to say if your posts are hard to read.
Anyway, it's a minor issue; I just thought I'd post a reminder since the majority of newcomers probably don't read the Policies, Rules & Posting Tips (myself included) until they've been here awhile.
From Policies, Rules & Posting Tips
General Posting Tips
Please break up your posts with paragraphs. Typing a 400 word run-on sentence is very difficult to read. Your posts are important and members will likely skip over what you have to say if your posts are hard to read.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 119
i chuckled a bit when i read that & it's time appropriate for me.
i've been trying to get in on some discussions, but some of the huge paragraphs and responses have been way too much for me to read.
but people are looking for help & maybe it is helpful for them to write like that.
i have some concern with all of this talk of purity on your name & tagline. it's a good goal to have, but is this possible?
thanks
i've been trying to get in on some discussions, but some of the huge paragraphs and responses have been way too much for me to read.
but people are looking for help & maybe it is helpful for them to write like that.
i have some concern with all of this talk of purity on your name & tagline. it's a good goal to have, but is this possible?
thanks
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,580
Newcomers are newcomers. I imagine sometimes their state can be rather desperate and jumbled and therefore don't have the wherewithall to read policies and procedures. I suppose this is a good reminder but I tend to lean toward compassion towards those who don't know the "rules". They are showing up...perhaps its the best they can do at the time.
Newcomers are newcomers. I imagine sometimes their state can be rather desperate and jumbled and therefore don't have the wherewithall to read policies and procedures. I suppose this is a good reminder but I tend to lean toward compassion towards those who don't know the "rules". They are showing up...perhaps its the best they can do at the time.
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,580
As Huxley notes...you don't have to read it..BUT if one person reads it and comments they have found a helping hand and empathic ears If you don't want to read all the way through...well a simple "welcome" is pretty wonderful.
I remember Nefermichael (apologies if I got that wrong) responded to my first post with "you are fantastic"...twas music to my ears : )
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 119
yes, it's a only 'tip'/suggestion. i have read many a long paragraph and found them helpful as well.
my own reading skills, attention span and patience have a lot to do with it.
some people really are pouring there heart out when they do that.
it is a good tip though that encourages responses and makes it accessible to more people.
sometimes you really only want a few responses from those that will really take the time with you.
so, it's all good and worth consideration, we come here and share a common problem.
my own reading skills, attention span and patience have a lot to do with it.
some people really are pouring there heart out when they do that.
it is a good tip though that encourages responses and makes it accessible to more people.
sometimes you really only want a few responses from those that will really take the time with you.
so, it's all good and worth consideration, we come here and share a common problem.
A lot of newcomers are in free-fall, and many don't have any sense of developed coping skills. This leads to "snowballing" posts - rarely does someone join and say "I have a problem with alcohol" and leave it at that. They have a problem with their husband, a DUI, kids, job, school, and friends too, and once they spiral into wormhole it all starts growing as it rolls downhill.
I would also say, to play Devil's Advocate, that I often find newcomers' posts to be quite lacking in the important details. Someone might say "I drink too much, what can I do?" - in which case, I frankly have no idea what to tell them, because I do not know the nature of their habit, their age, their sex, location, or DOC.
Newcomers are gonna be newcomers, and haters are gonna hate. Some will figure it out, some won't, just like sobriety. Sure it would be nice if we all wrote in nice paragraphs, but alcoholics in the full throes of addiction aren't exactly Bill Shakespeare.
I would also say, to play Devil's Advocate, that I often find newcomers' posts to be quite lacking in the important details. Someone might say "I drink too much, what can I do?" - in which case, I frankly have no idea what to tell them, because I do not know the nature of their habit, their age, their sex, location, or DOC.
Newcomers are gonna be newcomers, and haters are gonna hate. Some will figure it out, some won't, just like sobriety. Sure it would be nice if we all wrote in nice paragraphs, but alcoholics in the full throes of addiction aren't exactly Bill Shakespeare.
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,580
I would also say, to play Devil's Advocate, that I often find newcomers' posts to be quite lacking in the important details. Someone might say "I drink too much, what can I do?" - in which case, I frankly have no idea what to tell them, because I do not know the nature of their habit, their age, their sex, location, or DOC.
So what do you do with people like me who break things into paragraphs but each of those is a novel?
Seriously, I love this place so much my fingers get going and before I know it I've written a book. Don't mean to do it. it just happens.
I'm so thankful that this place is here.
Seriously, I love this place so much my fingers get going and before I know it I've written a book. Don't mean to do it. it just happens.
I'm so thankful that this place is here.
I would also say, to play Devil's Advocate, that I often find newcomers' posts to be quite lacking in the important details. Someone might say "I drink too much, what can I do?" - in which case, I frankly have no idea what to tell them, because I do not know the nature of their habit, their age, their sex, location, or DOC.
Cheers,
cas
So what do you do with people like me who break things into paragraphs but each of those is a novel?
Seriously, I love this place so much my fingers get going and before I know it I've written a book. Don't mean to do it. it just happens.
I'm so thankful that this place is here.
Seriously, I love this place so much my fingers get going and before I know it I've written a book. Don't mean to do it. it just happens.
I'm so thankful that this place is here.
It is the wall of text. Where paragraphs and sentences just run into each other with no break at all. I do try to read them but it can get frustrating. At times I quote them just so I can break them apart to read them then go back to the thread and post if after reading it all I can help in anyway or just welcome them. I hate to just say welcome with no back up message. That seems so dry.
I do agree with bigsombrero about tiny posts that don't give much information but they bother me less then the wall of text. At least with those I can jump in and ask a couple questions to see if they can offer more details. If they don't then they don't. At least I can welcome them.
Meh. I start new paragraphs where new paragraphs aren't even warranted. I am also the master of run on sentences, random punctuation, and a host of other junk.
I wouldn't be surprised if some members get whiplash after reading some of my posts.
So, I am officially complaining about myself.
Paragraphs are nice but so overrated in the scheme of things. Anyway, yeah that's my thoughts on the matter.
I wouldn't be surprised if some members get whiplash after reading some of my posts.
So, I am officially complaining about myself.
Paragraphs are nice but so overrated in the scheme of things. Anyway, yeah that's my thoughts on the matter.
Meh. I start new paragraphs where new paragraphs aren't even warranted. I am also the master of run on sentences, random punctuation, and a host of other junk.
I wouldn't be surprised if some members get whiplash after reading some of my posts.
So, I am officially complaining about myself.
Paragraphs are nice but so overrated in the scheme of things. Anyway, yeah that's my thoughts on the matter.
I wouldn't be surprised if some members get whiplash after reading some of my posts.
So, I am officially complaining about myself.
Paragraphs are nice but so overrated in the scheme of things. Anyway, yeah that's my thoughts on the matter.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)