People who start but don't return to discussions

I think it takes a little time to find out exactly how things work on Mylot. I try also to respond to discussions by new members. What I have noticed lately though is that I have been responding to discussions of many members for almost a year and never got a comment back. That makes me wonder if my answers are so dull that they do not deserve a reply or that some members only reply to their friends comments. In any case this is just an observation.

I try to check the newcomers list from time to time. If they have started a lot of discussions I just don't bother. Or sometimes I will select one to read and respond to. It is so easy to spend an hour reading and getting the feel for the place and then jumping in. I like your idea because that's exactly what they would be doing. It would be less frustrating for the newcomers that way too. I am sure I don't get back to everyone I should due to being here sporadically. But I try.

I always make a point of checking into the discussions I start and responding to comments made. I don't always have a lot of time spare to spend here so I tend to check my discussions first before looking for others.

It takes newbies quite a bit of time to learn to use MyLot effectively. Those folks may not know they are supposed to keep the threads going perhaps. You should inform them especially if they are new or have low numbers because they probably don't know. * For those that have dial up, MyLot loads slowly. I noticed it loads rather lazilly even on my cable connection! Rechecking discussions can be time consuming if they don't notice replies, and those aren't always easy to see... * Several users depend on email to notify them when they get a reply to a discussion. * The fourth is the person who just doesn't bother. This individual is quite a bit more rare on MyLot because this site is full of chatterboxes. * My recommendation: Don't take it to heart. For every dud discussion, there are two or three really good streams that can be very interesting in here.

I have a tendency to do this. My problem is a lot of replies are much like the others, or stand alone. I don't see the need to reply to replies that don't warrant them. feels silly to force conversations that are fine the way they are. I do read all replies, and do enjoy them.

I've yet to start a discussion on myLot, but if I did I don't think I'd just go away and leave it. Surely the point of starting a discussion is to see what other people say about it. Not returning to the discussion just negates any point it had in the first place. I'm certainly all for the idea of an "initiation", though. A lot of users seem to just join up, post one or two new discussions and then disappear into the void. If they had to sample the community first, we might get a better retention of members.

I always endeavour to respond to people who taken the time to respond to my discussions, but sometimes it's not always possible, especially when you have multiple pages of responses, to thank and respond to each and every one wouldn't be feasible and you'd spend all your time doing it. I think newbies once they get the hang of the system will start responding back, and some don't know what to expect at first, but I have had some newbies respond straight back which is impressive! But I never reply back to people who have replied with one liners and tend to respond if they have responded with interesting, informative, well thought out answers.

yes, I have noted and I generally keep away from them. Most of them are very very clichéd discussions, I think they just copy the topics, twist it a little and start it as their own discussion. Quite sickening really. They have nothing of value to add and they are just on the lookout for some quick cash, they are not for building bonds, hence they don’t bother to reply back. Your suggestion may work, specially it will help to filter out those who really don’t feel like interacting and writing some substantial answers. Its OK, not everybody has to do has the patience and the inclination to hang on and build it up, only thing is that if you don’t like then please leave, don’t stay and dilute the deep bond that members of this site enjoy with each other.

I have noticed that with both new and old members. There are a few very active members that never go back and respond. I am thinking about one right now and I'll tell you when she responds to me I don't comment becasue I know she doesn't go back to look. Personally I try to always go back and comment with some thing. Most I can actaully leave a comment but so just get a thanks because there answer didn't leave any room for comment. I know MyLot says not to leave thanks or whatever but I feel every answer should be acknoledged.

I am not sure really. Starting a discussion doesn't mean you are the owner of the discussion after all. If it has started and some people have answered it, then the discussion is between all the people both the starter of the discussion and the ones who responded. I also have some discussions with responses which I didn't reply but I read them all the time. It just depends on my mood and even if the starter of the discussion doesn't come back, if you have made a good response and if the discussion was good enough to get some responses,then it still might be a way to share information you have regardless the starter doesn't check it again.

Maybe they've started so many discussions that they forgot about that particular one.

I've started a few discussions....but i go back to them I reply to some of the answers but sometimes i cant think of anything i havent already stated to say to others that have replied. i feel bad not always replying...is there like something people prefer like just a thank you or i agree??

well, let's see, maybe they just got overwhelmed. but maybe a months or so, when they will realize to see who response in their discussions, that is when they can reply back but i don't think everyone can have a chance to be given some replies.. me as a new member i prefer to response others discussion since i'm still learning on how to make a better discussion, but i don't expect too much about having a reply to my responses... hehehe

okay this is a really old discussion. lol

When I was a new member I responded to my discussions a lot more often then I do now, actually. I wanted to show the members of Mylot that I was going to be dedicated, even from the start. I've lessened my responses because if I don't have much to say in response to anyone who replied to my discussion, I dont like saying anything at all! It bugs me a lot actually when people respond with thanks, yes, or any other one to six word phrase. That was actually partially how I was, starting new discussions from the thrill of all the ideas running through my mind, that is. I had so many questions I wanted to ask and at this point i'm almost questioned out but new ideas for discussions pop into my head daily as I live my life sooo. Yay for Mylot, basically. I actually go and respond to new members as much as I can as well, especially my referrals! Trying to make as many people feel welcome as I possibly can as the more welcome a member feels and the better understanding they have of mylot, the more likely they are to stay and the more intresting discussions will pop up.

Hi I don't think it is just new members. There are many old established ones that do not respond either. I tend not to respond too much to these discussions unless I have someting I feel is really valid and someone else responding may see and read so it may have made a difference. From my first day here as a new member I responded back to everyone that responded to one of my discussions and still continue to do so as I think that it is not only polite but feel a discussion is definately a two way thing. They have taken time and effort to respond so I give that same time back, it is common curtesy and well mannered to do so. Ellie :D

i didn't think if the members are new or old depending on their score, as long as i am interested on her/his post i will leave my comment on it. i am working hard to reply all posted comments on my discussions although i will do it almost 2 weeks because of my hectic schedule but still i am replying them even to say "thank you" for their time and effort for sharing their ideas. sorry for the comments that still on the line of comments that i am going to reply soon...don't worry i will do it.

Hi fizzytom. I still consider myself as newbie, been here for more than a month I guess but still learning a lot from mylot. I did made some new threads but most of my time is consumed in replying to discussions of my friends and that of interests me. I did reply to people who respond to my discussions but I had this one post that I did not expect to have numerous respondents. I tried my best to give comments and saying my gratitude though it takes time for me to respond. Maybe there are newbies who are still figuring out the do's and dont's here in mylot.

I was one of them who don't reply back. If their post is not answerable or there's nothing to answer. I appreciate their respond but i don't say thank you because it was one of do's and dont's on discussion guidelines. If there post have no quality and not interesting at all.Just like "of course i do", "That was blah blah blah". If you were in my situation, i'm sure will will choose not to respond than insist your opinion but still respect them. When new mylotters are post their reply and i feel that it was really reasonable, i reply and even say that i really appreciate it but not the word thank you.

I also believe that people may still be trying to figure out the workings of this site. It took me a day to figure out how to get to the discussions I have started page. I have tried to respond to all and keep a cheery appearance about me as I know newbies are not welcome in all communities. Although the fact remains that some people do lose interest and are only excited about the potenetial earnings that can rack up. Although, aren't we all excited about that new or not? I do try to respond to those discussions that I consider bland as I know that I have created a few like that myself in this pursuit. I hope that more people will respond to us newbies as a welcome to this community.