Question about Computing.net user behavior

I think that this has been a problem from before smart phones were popular. Maybe they need to get a small (non-annoying) pop up with some advice on posting and replying if they are new to here when they post a question. It may also be possible that if someone posts a second post within a week or so after already posting one, they should be asked if they are sure they want a new post or should it be added to their original post. Then it can be prefilled into a reply box on the original post for them to review and submit. You have to be a little bit crazy to keep you from going insane.

Derek February 2, 2015 at 08:05:35

I've alerted Justin to this post. Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks

Justin Weber February 2, 2015 at 08:18:04

Hey Jeff, Yeah, that definitely started before smartphones were popular, also, only a very small percentage of Computing.Net users are using smartphones. Understanding why users do what they do is very difficult. I've spent so much time on it, but not really gotten anywhere :( I do like Finger's idea, but I'm not sure if that would result in the opposite happening: Users posting replies on threads when they should be posting new threads. Its really hard to have a perfect solution because most users spend so little time reading instructions. Thanks! Justin

Jeff Root February 2, 2015 at 09:17:27

It seems to happen more here than anywhere else that I've done a lot of posting, including another vBulletin forum where I have over 13,000 posts. There must be some specific cause. Something that makes it easier or more apparent how to start a new thread than to add to an existing thread. -- Jeff, in Minneapolis

Justin Weber February 2, 2015 at 16:19:46

Hmm, Unless the other forums have a feature like Fingers described, which I doubt many do, I'm not sure what the could be. Do those forums have a "Start a discussion" link above the post reply form as Computing.Net does? Perhaps, I should remove that link if the user is logged in and looking at his own thread? That could be the confusion. Justin

Derek February 2, 2015 at 16:42:53

Re #5 If that can be done it is worth a shot - just might help. Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks

Justin Weber February 2, 2015 at 16:57:15

Hi, I've done it. I also changed the text from Post Reply to Follow up if the user is logged in and looking at his or her thread. Let's see if that helps :) Thanks for the suggestion! Justin

Derek February 2, 2015 at 17:02:08

Yep, the "follow up" idea sounds like a good one too. Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks message edited by Derek

Jeff Root February 3, 2015 at 02:04:08

Yes, the exact wording used could be what makes the difference. -- Jeff, in Minneapolis

Derek February 3, 2015 at 07:20:48

One thing is certain we will never stop this from happening. The only hope is that some website tweak or other will reduce its frequency. Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks message edited by Derek

OtheHill February 3, 2015 at 22:22:50

As a mod, I have tried to educate these folks. Another issue is posters sometimes make multiple replies to their own thread without any other responses between. I have PMed these folks informing them of the edit function.

Justin Weber February 4, 2015 at 16:53:25

OtheHill, That is much appreciated, and a great idea! Justin