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Post by htmb on Jul 11, 2013 19:43:44 GMT
I visit TripAdvisor sporadically and recently posted an AnyPort link to one of my Paris reports. I did this not only because I wanted to share my report, but also with the idea that others may also wish to join us. Following one of Kerouac's links was how I originally found my way here.
In response to my TA post, one gentleman started his own TA thread asking if anyone knew of a good place to post trip reports with photos as I had done. He also said he really liked my post and my photographs, but did not like the fact that comments from others were interspersed throughout my report.
I assume this man was looking for a place to post pictures for friends and family to see, and wasn't really looking for an interactive forum as a place to share. He was okay with the thought of comments, but only if they were presented at the end of a report. A regular TA poster, who also posts on another proboards site, mentioned that if he wanted to block others from posting until the end of his report, he could just "save" each page needed with brief text and follow-up by editing and adding his report information later. I was a bit surprised at the thought.
All this got me to thinking about what others on AnyPort might prefer. I personally like the interspersing of posts and the community feel of a forum. I think that thoughtful comments and additional information can add depth to most reports. It also lets me know that others are interested and are following the progress of a report as it evolves. Occasionally, if I'm posting something that might be of a more serious nature, I might post at a time when I can get everything online all at once. However, most of the time I personally welcome positive comments, questions, and additions throughout.
I would love to know what others think about this. Do you mind if there are questions and comments mixed in-between your report posts, or would you personally rather we hold off until the end?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2013 22:28:29 GMT
I agree that it is good for reports to be interspersed with comments and questions. It's what makes the difference between a forum and a blog. I do understand that bloggers get very used to being able to create their own little articles without interruption, but it is nothing that I ever wanted to do myself because I prefer direct interaction and therefore what we are doing here is what suits me.
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Post by mich64 on Jul 11, 2013 22:42:54 GMT
I enjoy the comments and questions throughout the threads on this board. To me it feels like a community conversation whether it be during a trip report or the varied topics. I enjoy when people add their own experiences.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 12, 2013 2:42:37 GMT
Such an interesting topic, Htmb. I guess I never thought about it very hard because to me it seemed that the forum format was obviously so much more desirable. I'm not putting blogs down, as there are so many good ones out there, including some by anyporters. However, the whole idea of anyport was not just presentation, but engaging others. He was okay with the thought of comments, but only if they were presented at the end of a report. This gave me the mental image of my showing you my photo album from a trip, then when you ask a question or give a compliment, smack you down by saying, "Wait your turn!" Too much like school, where you waited politely for Sally to finish telling what she did on summer vacation. Kerouac says "interaction", you and Mich both say "community". That's it exactly! It also lets me know that others are interested and are following the progress of a report as it evolves. Very true. I think we'll all agree that we approach thread-making enthusiastically, but it is a form of work & it's very encouraging to get feedback. I might post at a time when I can get everything online all at once. I didn't quite understand what you meant about the poster who saves and edits, but do understand the desire to get certain posts in a thread down in sequence without comments between. I do that sometimes when I want to complete a sequence within a thread, but there are too many photos to cram into one post. Then I make & Preview one post, save it in Word, then do the same with however many subsequent posts I want to be part of that sequence. It's usually easy enough to quickly copy & paste them down so they appear to be a whole, with no comments between them.
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Post by fumobici on Jul 12, 2013 3:26:22 GMT
This gave me the mental image of my showing you my photo album from a trip, then when you ask a question or give a compliment, smack you down by saying, "Wait your turn!" Too much like school, where you waited politely for Sally to finish telling what she did on summer vacation. Yes, precisely.
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Post by bjd on Jul 12, 2013 6:43:35 GMT
I agree with the above. Comments between photos allow others to ask questions about what they see, and also, getting feedback lets the poster know that people are looking at their pics.
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Post by mossie on Jul 12, 2013 7:44:13 GMT
I far prefer this forum method. The comments tell you if you are reaching your audience.
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Post by patricklondon on Jul 12, 2013 9:14:04 GMT
Not too bothered. If I'm doing a "Post Card", it's often converted from one or more posts on my blog, and though I like getting the whole thing shaped into one "story", as it were, it's not difficult to do that outside AnyPort and then copy and paste the whole thing, as others do. Likewise, if I did do it in bits and pieces, there's nothing to stop me delaying responding to comments until I'm ready. You can think on single-task tramlines if you like, it's not the end of the world if others prefer to respond straight away.
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Post by nautiker on Jul 12, 2013 21:31:45 GMT
like so many on this thread, me too I prefer a straight discussion from the start compared to a lecture + subsequent panel show...
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 13, 2013 4:45:18 GMT
Just chiming back in to say that I noticed that a couple of people mentioned questions along with comments. I think questions sometimes are even more important than comments, since they prove that a person truly read & thought about the thread and wishes to engage with its author.
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Post by htmb on Jul 13, 2013 14:45:24 GMT
I must admit that sometimes I hesitate to post a comment when I see that someone is uploading a new thread, especially if it's something I'm really excited to see. I wonder if my, "Oh, wow, I can't wait to see more of your report," or something else equally profound, is welcomed. I personally find these comments encouraging, but wasn't sure how others felt. I suppose the message I am hearing is that a blog is a great place to post your stories and photos with control and no interruptions, while a forum is like one big, and sometimes continuing, conversation. In a way they are like comparing apples to oranges, with each meeting a different set of requirements. Each has it's place.
I, too, enjoy being asked questions, though sometimes I fail to answer all of them either because I just don't get back to it, or because I don't have an answer. I sometimes think I need to do a better job. I also like getting responses to my questions, and find it interesting and mind-expanding to learn the perspectives of others, especially in an international community.
I like following the paths to blogs created by some of our AnyPorters, along with links listed on those blogs. One thing seems to lead to another, and before I know it I've learned a whole lot of information about something new. (As for knowing if people read blogs, hit counters and website host providers can give a whole lot of feedback about who is accessing a blog, even if readers don't/can't make comments).
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Post by lugg on Jul 13, 2013 20:06:47 GMT
Personally when I am posting I welcome questions and comments that are interspersed through the thread.
Equally if a forum member stated that they wished to limit the same until the end of the thread I would, of course, respect that.
I also enjoy reading blogs.... and appreciate the links posted here by members.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2013 20:24:40 GMT
Actually, when one of my threads is "interrupted" by a comment, it often makes me chuckle, particularly when I am posting a report relatively fast and somebody manages to sneak in during a 3 minute gap. Frankly, I find it flattering.
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Post by rikita on Jul 14, 2013 17:31:16 GMT
actually, i often only continue with report threads, when there is a comment or question, because i am very forgetful and those remind me that i had started that thread...
also, i like posting things in "bits and pieces", because i also know from myself that often i don't have the time to go through a huge post at once... if it takes me more than a few minutes to read a post, or if there are more than ten or so pictures, i often start just srolling through... if it is broken up, chances are much bigger i actually read it/look at the pictures...
but that might be just me and my lack of concentration...
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Jul 14, 2013 18:23:04 GMT
That's funny - while I was wondering if I should post a new thread in one sitting just now I decided to click on this topic first (and since I am not here as often right now I see it as a sign LOL). I love the interaction, comments, questions that intersperse with what I post and as K said - if it is something where I wasn't done but someone already caught it and commented ... that makes me happy and excited to post more
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Post by nautiker on Jul 15, 2013 20:19:09 GMT
I must admit that sometimes I hesitate to post a comment [...] I wonder if my, "Oh, wow, I can't wait to see more of your report," or something else equally profound, is welcomed hehe, know that feeling, sometimes I just can't think of a clever question or prefer to wait how a report evolves - on the other hand, I truly appreciate even such 'straight' responses to my postings
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Post by htmb on Jul 15, 2013 20:22:43 GMT
Cool, Nautiker! ;D
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 15, 2013 21:02:10 GMT
I'm grateful for any comments. At least that way we know someone is reading our threads & taking the time to say so.
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