Responding to questions???

[tatans]

I need an answer to this forum, I have noticed when someone posts a topic (and seems to be very knowledgable) about that subject, if I post a basic question regarding that subject there never seems to be a response, of course I try not to ask super technical queries or impossible answers, but absolutely no response from the original poster or following responses, is there a proper way to get an answer?? The original poster seems to be the perfect person to respond to a question on that subject, then nothing, am I doing something wrong??? I followed a few other postings and the results were the same, it's almost like these new posts are never read again. Any ideas???

[selector]

Uugh! I have felt somewhat the same, but fortunately not too much for myself. I DO see that others don't appear to get responses, and that bothers me, tatans.

I'm not sure what anyone can do, other than have the moderators occasionally give a paternal reminder to the forum at large that there are rules of ettiquette and ways of behaving on this net that afford all users the most pleasure and utility.

However, speaking from my own perspective, there are times when I find it difficult to get back ot the computer to see what is up....and therefore to keep up. I know that I miss, even lose, threads to which I have contributed, and never learn if my post was contrary to the norm, helpful, or merely ignored.

Also, sometimes the host may feel that they should keep a low profile after launching the topic so as not to seem too overbearing or opinionated. You know, nothing like launching a topic with a question and then arguing with every responder as if you already knew what the response would be!!

I sincerely hope you get a lot fo feedback here.

All of us deserve to get this cleared up.

Regards,

Crandell

[Mookie]

Depending on who is posting - some of these topics start out at the top and go to page 2 and 3 before I can even read them.

A person who feels the need to respond to each and every post, (it's called running up the total for stars) will do in a whole page in just a few min. Most of our people with answers don't have the time to go back 3-4 pages each visit to see what to answer. Keep your post on top by posting something on it and bringing it back up.

And maybe - just maybe - no one really knows the answer. I know the people that have the answers just plain don't have the time to go through a lot of reading. So keep asking - someone will pick up on it!

[MP57313]

I'll respond if I know the answer (or THINK I know the answer). I'm just an armchair/trackside railfan though; no "insider scoop". Sometimes I don't check the box to get an 'email reminder' if someone comments on a thread, though, and at least one other case a thread was Zapped because someone else wrote a nasty.

[chad thomas]

I won't respond unless I'm reasonably sure I can contribute something worthwile.

[JoeKoh]

like the mookie says will try to help as much as I can.I am sure someone will find you an answer.
stay safe
Joe

[edblysard]

well,
At the risk of being seen as rude..it might be that the question dosnt merit any response...
I doubt that happens often, but sometimes...
there are a few folks who post things only to get their posting count to increase...star chasers, so to speak.

On the other hand, it might be just as Mookie said, by the time the people with the answers to your question get around to reading the forum, the question is buried 2 or 3 pages back.

I can tell you that I dont bother to go any farther back than page two, and then only if I am looking for a paticular thread.

Thats due to the fact that I dont get on the computer till early morning, and late in the afternoon.

I would imagine there are a few others in the same position, with limited time, so your question might be gone before they see it....

So, before anything goes any farther, how about you post one of those un-answered question here, as an example, and lets see what happens, and maybe figure it out from there.

Fire away...

Ed

[BaltACD]

I will respond to threads when I have something to add to the discussion, or a different viewpoint to present. I don't spend all day on the computer...I do have to work for a living and my non railroad interests also require an expenditure of time and effort. I rarely look past page one for topics to respond to, not all the topics that create threads have an interest for me and I won't respond to those things that don't intrest me.

[Anonymous]

Adding up the Number of replys and the number of stars are meaningless to me,it's personaly Railroad related Questions that matter to me the most. Railroad only.
BNSFrailfan.

[arbfbe]

All contributions are strictly voluntary. This forum is just one of many resources available. If you can't find it here you might have to visit a library or a bookstore for the answers.

[CShaveRR]

I will answer whatever questions I can, when I'm sure that I'm not leading somebody astray (or, maybe, I'll just put a goofy answer on, followed by the correct one). My sister's right--sometimes questions get away from us. I only keep 24 hours of forum activity on my screen, and lately I don't get down to it every 24 hours.

There are some questions that I think I may have an answer for, but I won't answer, because I'm certain that somebody like Ed, Mudchicken, or Randy will have a better one. But they may be under the same constraints (shackles?) as I am, or worse.

[Hugh Jampton]

If you ask a specific question about a specific part on a specific loco then your chances of anyone on here actually knowing the answer is very remote so there are no responses. More general questions tend to fair better.

[spbed]

Actually up to this post I do recollect a post from you that required a reply. [:p][:p]

Originally posted by tatans

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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