I think that you should always post your own opinion, if that is what the op asked for. However, I think that your personal opinion might be influenced a bit if you read all the other replies before posting. That is just human nature, imo. For a true opinion guage, people should probably never read the posted responses before posting their own. That being said, I do read them all first and usually stick with my original kneejerk response. I dislike it when the resolution has been posted and people continue to offer contrary "solutions". Even if I don't agree with the resolution, that ship has sailed.
Jo

I read them too. That's probably why sometimes my response is so much like the others! I agree with Jo, about that ship having sailed, once the OP posts a resolution. I also agree with you about continued responses coming off as critical, when there has been an obvious resolution. IMO, it says more about the poster who needed to voice their opinion, rather than their need to join in the conversation. But then...I know lots of people who'd rather talk than listen!

I read everything first. It seldom changes my mind from my first impression, but I'm usually late to the party on such threads and look to see if the OP has posted something that indicates s/he wants to end the topic, espeically when the subject matter is a little touchy.

I usually read all the responses before posting my 2 cents worth. Chances are, my opinion has already been expressed by another poster so all I have to do is a "ditto what X said".

I never thought that adding more once the OP has made a decision was a bad thing. Guess it never bothered me and I certainly wouldn't lump those that do into a category of people that feel their opinion is the only one, or people that don't listen.

Linda

I read or at least scan what everyone else wrote. Like, Linda, I might say ditto. If I have anything worthwhile (or close to it) to add, I do. Beyond responding to wht the OP asked, it's kind of interesting to hear varying thoughts.

Does it influence your decision to post or not if the OP has said, "OK, I will do X," vs. "Oh, I have a lot of options to try?"

Also, does it seem more okay if someone posts and acknowledges that OP made a decision and says, "Let us know how that works... here's another option (not already listed) if you want to try different ways?"

I try to read or at least scan if the thread is very long, all the posts....and don't bother posting if the question has been resolved.
But what really annoys me is when an OP asks "can I sub dried apricots in this blueberry muffin"...and gets a string of replies and then someone pops in saying "here's my recipe for blueberry tart, you really ought to try it" And the OP already had a recipe, wasn't talking about a tart....and the question was answered.
If you want to talk about blueberry tarts, start another thread...
But I don't mind wandering threads....if there is a logical segue....go figure!
Linda c

Whether, and how thoroughly, I read a thread depends on my interest level. I feel no obligation to read every last word before posting, if I have something to say. For example the other day I opened Bobby's waffle thread, glanced through it and wasn't particularly interested but it stuck out at me that that his batter was running all over the counter and floor. My first thought was place the iron in a jelly roll pan. There were many lengthy and surely informative responses out there. Should I have felt obligated to read through all of them before posting my quick suggestion? I don't see why. IIRC I did, however, say something like, "maybe someone has already suggested this..." just in case, but I wouldn't think that should be mandatory either.

On the other hand, if you're going to disagree and debate someone, then yeah you probably should know what's already been said.

As for answering and offering different opinions after the situation has been resolved, why the heck not? If I want to cook salmon tonight and come here asking for recipes, there's a good chance that in the future someone else is going to read the thread when looking for salmon ideas themselves. So what difference does it make if someone posts a recipe to my thread next week, well after I've cooked my salmon? This doesn't apply to just recipes, but to all questions.

I see no reason why either of these should be annoying to the OP. But if it is, fine, they can scroll on by. IMO just because they opened the discussion doesn't mean they own it.

On the other hand, if you're going to disagree and debate someone, then yeah you probably should know what's already been said.

Ok, in the particular thread that prompted me to start this discussion, it wasn't so much disagreeing or debating, but it felt to me that the OP was being somewhat scolded for having asked the question in the first place.

I agree that ongoing discussion is good, particularly when someone is asking for advice on a recipe or method because as you said, FOAS, there's a good chance that in the future someone else is going to read the thread.

I guess this particular thread that I had in mind just seemed (to me) like it could potentially get ugly. Maybe if the opinions stated after the resolution had just been stated as opinions instead of seeming (to me) to be scoldings, it wouldn't have bothered me.

IMO, when you post something to a public forum, you have to accept that a) it's never going to go away completely, and b) it will take on a life of its own. Especially in a forum like this one where you can't close or freeze a topic or use an "ignore" function, you just have to let go of something once you post it. A request for advice is a request to hear options, not a promise to follow any of them.

Usually that doesn't apply to me because I'm the one asking for advice, not giving it! I do read all responses before responding to a post, unless there is an insanely large number of them and I just don't have the time. I may want to address something another poster mentioned, but I still say want I originally wanted to.

I don't see a problem with continuing the discussion after the OP has found a resolution. The continued suggestions may offer other alternatives to the OP for the next time that situation arises. Also, there are lots of people that may have similar situations, and the continued responses can help them as well. But what do I know, I also think it's OK to revive old threads! :o)

I'm another one that will try to read (or at least scan) the other responses before posting anything. However, if the date has passed ("I need a side to go with Dover Sole for dinner on Thurs" and it is Friday morning) I don't feel bad about adding a suggestion that may be used in the future. Same with a "how to" type question, if the OP comes back and says "X worked for me", or "I tried Y and it didn't work, maybe I didn't understand how to do it" then it could be a learning experience for all.

A good example of the latter is the AB5M reviews.... I have a batch going and it is working out really well for us, but I recall a few people saying they were not successful. That whole thread is a learning experience and for those of us who are novices, it may be an easy way to tip toe into the bread baking area.

JMHO

Alexa

Time to introduce a new acronymm to the forum:

'tl;dr'

Too long; didn't read

Here is a link that might be useful: amusing definitions on urbandictionary

Clarification: In the thread I'm thinking about, the OP was very gracious and didn't get ruffled feathers. I'm probably more taken aback than that OP was. It just seemed TO ME that the tone of some of the replies were unnecessarily scolding toward the OP, especially after the OP had said (twice) that the decision had been made.

Oh well, it's probably just me. I think I've gotten a bit overly sensitive due to the recent discord on the forum, but hopefully that's all behind us!

Jessy, I like that acronym.... now if I can just remember what it means next time I see it! LOL

tl;dr... bwaahaahhaa! Oh wait, you've already resolved this. oops

;)

LOL! You got me.

I usually read through previous posts so as not to repeat what has already been said, or so I'm able to state that I concur with so-and-so. But I might add comments from my own experiences. And I agree that it's okay to add your two cents worth even after the issue has been resolved if you think that it may be of use to someone else in a similar circumstance.

It's true there are generally many more readers of the CF threads than the number of members who respond with a comment.

SharonCb

I am a little in Jessy's camp of "tl;dr". To be honest, because of my vision issues, I have to be selective about what I read, yet I love this forum, so sometimes I just skim before I post.

I am often late to the party and I usually do read what other posters have written. Sometimes my post is simply to agree with a previous post and then offer additional thoughts. Posts written after a resolution has been posted don't bother me. I think a lot of people have a limited amount of time and simply read the first post and then respond.

On another note: Though I might have interest and an opinion, I generally no longer to post to threads begun by authors to whom I have repeatedly posted answers on other threads who never acknowledge that I responded. Typing is a dreaded and awkward chore for me so typing out a long missive or transcribing a recipe is a bit of an effort. It bugs me when the OP blows by as though my post didn't exist.

It bugs me when the OP blows by as though my post didn't exist.
Yes!

That's an interesting point barnmom. I don't figure that every reply I post will get an acknowledgement, it sort of depends on the topic and how many answers the OP gets. I'm also probably not the best at acknowledging each and every reply when I post a question. I do try to come back and thank everyone and post what I'm going to do if possible as a sort of general reply to all.

I think my point in my original question wasn't that clear, because there was a specific thread that bothered me and I didn't want to refer to it here. And I'm wondering if a general question like this is even valid. I mean, sometimes you sort of have to be there, in that you have to witness the thread in order to understand someone's feelings about something. I'm guessing that's also true in the threads barnmom is referring to.

Right, people can't reply to fifty posts individually, and in some kinds of posts it's obviously not necessary. But there are also times when you've gone to some trouble to type a long reply (like Barnmom I am a bad typist) and maybe have looked something up, and it's as if whatever you wrote was never there. I especially dislike it when I have asked someone in my family to weigh in (that would be for non-cooking advice), and the post goes unrecognized.
I'm not saying I get upset; usually it's a mild annoyance, but I agree with Barnmom that it sometimes makes me less likely to want to jump into the discussion.

Oh yeah, I can see that! I completely agree. If someone goes sort of above and beyond it needs to be acknowledged. Especially if someone requests a recipe or some such, then the person types it in, it's important to recognize that. I see what you mean.

Of course I don't expect a response to every post but if I feel I have made an effort to research or share some special knowledge, I do like someone to notice. I tend not to keep posting to authors who skim over my contributions repeatedly. Kinda hurts my feelings.

As you know, many forum formats tell you how many people have viiewed your post, not just those responded.

dcarch

I see both sides of it.

If someone goes out of their way to help and does provide helpful information, that should be acknoweldged. On the other hand, on a public forum it is difficult to avoid a person you don't care for except to repeatedly and consistenly ignore them and hope they eventually take the hint. Fortunately, that's rare.

I didn't consider that I was being pointedly ignored. Just overlooked because other members are more vocal and have a higher recognition quotient.

I feel the same way as Barnmom and others. If I'm ignored after going to some effort (not for simple posts, just ones where I've clearly offered a thought out opinion or gone to some trouble with research or a recipe), I stop posting on that member's threads.

I also try to read all opinions before offering mine. I don't want to repeat something someone else said and not acknowledge that they said it first. It's a small thing that others may not think about, but I find that kind of consideration important.

AM

No, no, I didn't mean to suggest you were being intentionally ignored. You're pretty easy to get along with, Eileen. :) Maybe it's just that otherwise well-meaning people just don't think sometimes. What's that saying about most slights being cause by accidental inattention rather than malice?

Thanks, Renee, for focusing on my positive attributes. And all this time I thought I was a high maintenance, diva b*tch! ;)

No, that would be me. :)

My 2010 desk calendar is by Anne Traintor, she does those clever captions on old 50s photos, and the one this week is a smiling lady and the caption reads,

"high maintenance" doesn't begin to cover it

Yeah, that's me!

Here is a link that might be useful: Anne Traintor

May, I do read all the posts before responding primary reason being that I want to see if my response would have validity or value. I'm not the best foodie/cook so I am not always informed on the topic.

Barnmom, OP blows by as though my post didn't exist -- I hope I have never done that to you as I "stalk" your posts for useful information.

Cathy

Cathy, oh no, not you!