Why start a discussion you have no interest in and will not follow?

Thanks, thea09. It is nice when someone actually reads your post and understands what you are trying to convey. The intent of mylot is good. I would hate to see it destroyed just because people come on here solely for the purpose of making a few dollars.

The irony being that posting then ignoring does not earn them a few dollars. A good tip I recommend is always check this out when you consider a F/R, take a look at a few of their started discussions beyond the first page and see if they've had the courtesy of responding to all. I got fooled once as I found someone on my list actually copied and pasted the exact same response to everyone so immediately deleted them. I actually ended up with a discussion the other week which had 126 responses, way too many I thought, but was still suprised to find original responses coming up at page 10 and responded to all without it being work.

Thanks Thea09. I'm learning. Great tip. That is what I have started doing. Checking out the history first.

Jugsjugs, I am not complaining about the amount of time anyone spends on mylot. I am merely suggesting that you bite off only what you can chew. It is perfectly OK with me if I don't see a lot of activity from any one member. I am not monitoring the number of posts a member makes. However, a discussion requires give and take. If you post a discussion, post only as many as you can manage. That is what makes sense to me.

PS Hats off to you for managing six kids and having time for mylot. I;m sure it isn't easy.

Hi, cloudwatcher. I am a reasonable person. My observations take into account the possibility that something happens and mylotters have to go away for periods of time. I have not always been as active or consistent as I would like to be. I am targeting, specifically, those posters who abuse and mis-use the system. I, too, went back and looked up the word "discussion" to be sure I was not over-reacting. Thanks for understanding.

I can accept that, dorcam. I like that you care enough to read your responses. It we can see that you did respond to some posts, I think we feel better. The response is the only way of knowing if anyone is listening.

That's right, and if someone needs help about something, why not give an opinion

Oh Hatley, I am so sorry about your problems. No one should have to be homeless. I am happy that you are back. I am not talking about mylotters who, for whatever reason, go away and stop posting altogether. Nobody understands better than I that s!@# happens. I am talking about those mylotters who are here all of the time and all they do is start discussion. They never resolve any of the previous discussions that they started. They just continue to ask questions.

Hi Hatley, you are a lovely mylotter and you always comment back as you well know though goodness knows how when roomie is pratting on at you endlessly, and when she finally sleeps you have to suffer the snoring.

d_e_v81, welcome to the Mylot family and thank you for responding. I like your approach to Mylot. It is a lot of fun. I have been here for 3 years now and enjoy it very much. I consider it a hobby that gives me a little pocket change on the side. It will not replace the day job . Read the guidelines. It is a short list and fairly simple and straight forward. You should not have to worry about getting kicked off. Sunday on Mylot is a great pastime. Friends do respond to each other's posts but that is because they share a common interest. I cannot imagine anyone ONLY responding to a friend's post. There are many interesting topics raised and I am sure most of us have no problem putting our 2-cents in when something catches our interest, no matter who starts the discussion. We just want to know that the discussion starter is sincere in wanting an answer, and not posting mindless questions that they themselves have no interest in. I am delighted to be your friend. I look forward to seeing you here on Mylot. Happy mylotting.

Thanks for the warm welcome. Have already added yea! See everyone here on mylot this Sunday! :)

Thanks for the info, sid556. I did not know about the 2 response rule until this discussion. I was pretty sure there was no more money to be made by just posing questions . MyLot is pretty closed mouthed about their earnings formula. I don't really want anyone to leave. The bigger the community the more variety we have here. I am hoping to change their hearts and minds so we have a better MyLot.

Hi, Ronnyb: I don't think Mylot is a forum to fulfill a passion for writing. There are many more productive ways to do that. I don't have a problem with anyone taking advantage of the system here for monetary gain altho there are more productive ways to do that, too. One of the advantages of being a MyLot member is that you get paid while you enjoy the give and take of the discussions. I like that MyLot is for all kinds of people as you describe. The collective experience makes for a more interesting forum. Forgive me if I was not clear in my post and gave the impression that I objected to any member's purpose for being here on Mylot. I merely want MyLot members to follow the purpose of MyLot, not spoil it for the rest of us, and not be rude. All of us can peacefully co-exist and find our way here without riding roughshod over anyone else. I don't think that is asking too much. If each of us does as you say, ie, partake of all that mylot can offer and do what we are here to do within the mylot guidelines; and if we do it in a professional and courteous manner then there is no reason why we can't peacefully co-exist. That is just stating a fact without being judgmental. MyLot should work for everyone, not just the few who choose to make their own rules as they try to short-circuit the system. Happy mylotting.

May2k8, I can understand how it can be confusing when you read all of the different points of view on a given topic. Some are saying "Yes", others are saying "No" and another group is saying "Maybe." Still others are so passionate about the topic of discussion that they become extremely angry. Often, the discussion starters add little facts as they go that were not disclosed in the original post. You should not get a headache from Mylot. It's supposed to be fun. Respond only to those discussions that interest you. Then you will not be bored. You may want to check out the discussions that have zero responses first. I like to mix some of these in, because they are fresh and I can give my opinion and have a discussion with the starter without having to look at pages and pages of what anyone else has to say. It is faster and simpler. You also help the members who may otherwise not get any attention. Do not think of topics you start as interesting or not interesting. If they interest you, that is what is important. Since mylotters are all over the world, you never know what mylotters want to discuss on any given day. Some topics are universal and others are not. Sometimes it is surprising what is of interest to the world. We are all so different and yet so much alike. I have found news items that I thought would light up the airways, only to find that no one cared. Other times, I have been amazed and surprised to find some questions that struck a universal nerve. Happy mylotting.

Oh dear Vanillarey, I understand when sometimes you are absolutely "speechless" when attempting to respond to some posts. People do say the darndest things. Mylot is very closemouthed about the formula they use to calculate pay for posting. However, I think you need to check with them regarding what you get paid for. It is my understanding that you get paid for everything you post. You are expected to respond to people who answer your starting post. That is what makes it a discussion. On the other hand, Mylot discourages responses that do nother but thank posters.

Thank you Sandra1952. You are so right. I like your attitude here. I feel the same way. I am learning to avoid the serial starters (good phrase). They are indeed annoying (another good description). I am pleased at the responses to this discussion. It is much more than I could have ever hoped for. Thanks.

Hi, Corrycrystal, it is strange that anyone would start a conversation that they have no interest in. I think they don't see it that way. They are too busy chasing the Mylot pay. Anytime you put money first, you will usually have an inferior product. I have always believed that you do what you enjoy and the money follows. Oddly, I don't think any of those offenders have responded to this post to defend themselves.

I guess we do have to consider the source. When we look at the question, sometimes, they are not always interesting. But, there are some that really have potential and people have sincere feelings about the topic in question. Some even call for help with a problem in their life. They tug at your heart strings and make you want to find them and help them personally. Then they just turn their backs and walk away.

Welcome to MyLot llyyaa. If my rant helped one person, then it is well worth it. I look forward to your posts. Just be sure the discussion is one that interests you as well. I have no intention of trying to force others to respond to me or any other MyLot member. I am not talking about discussions I start. I am talking about discussions others start and never monitor. As I said in an earlier response, to me it is like turning your back and walking away from someone whom you asked for help. That is rude anywhere you go. "All I'm asking is a little respect when you come home. R E S P E C T, Find out what it means to me. Ohhh shoop shoop shoop." Courtesy of Aretha Franklin Happy MyLotting.

I see those rants, too, Bdugas. It is frustrating when you sincerely try to help because you see the immediate pain and anguish they express in their starting post. Then you realize they did not want to discuss anything with anyone. Altho they asked for help, all they really wanted was an audience to get it off their chest. I'm sure many of us personally know people like that and we learn that what we have to do is completely ignore them and not get caught up in their day-to-day drama. They are talkers and not listeners. They do not want a give and take conversation, only "Listen to me." Those of us who want more out of Mylot have to be more discerning in which posts we respond to.

Thanks, jps0138. All I ask is that people be as considerate as you. Probably the majority of mylotters are working or in school. Mylot is an enjoyable pastime. Bite off what you can chew. To those trying to earn money here on mylot, I understand that, too. However, I would advise them to not give up their day job.

Thanks weasel81. I respond more than I pose questions. Sincere mylotters will do as you do and follow their discussions. It's the give and take that makes mylot what it is.

Hi, Hilltrekker: No matter how you slice it, the rules do not change. It's like traveling in an automobile. Everyone on the highway may be headed to different places at different times and for different reasons. You do not have to know where anyone is going or why, I repeat, the rules do not change. As long as you are driving that automobile, You must stay within the speed limit, stay on your side of the road, avoid hitting the car in front of you, obey the signs, and don't drink and drive. I'm sure Mylot took into account the fact that there would be different situations, different people and different times. After all we are communicating with people from all over the world. That is one of the things that makes Mylot so special. Ask a question and you get a global perspective rather than just the opinions of your close, personal friends who almost always agree with you. The best way to let a mylot user know that his or her response was of value, short of giving a Best Response, is to at least acknowledge their post. To do otherwise is like turning your back and walking away without saying a word. That is rude.

You are so right, Getbrowser. It is true here just as it is everywhere. Something is lost when the primary interest is making money. I have always believed that if you do what you love and do it well, then the money will follow. Put the cart before the horse and you will merely stumble over your own feet with little to show for it.

IcequeenNJ973, I believe the sincere mylotters like you deserve better. I, too give thought to my responses. When someone puts out a call for help with a problem, I try to give my best. I like to think I am helping someone. Lately, tho, I'm beginning to think there may be some contrived problems just for the sensationalism. If that is true, those people are pathetic (good word).