How do you determine what you read on DU?

[ElboRuum]

Putting up OPs on DU seems to be a hit or miss proposition. I've put up three OPs in the past week or so, and they went almost entirely unread or unnoticed. Now I'm not saying I am pining away for attention here, but there really no reason to put up an original post unless you want to start a discussion, express a view, whatever. In other words, it isn't you reacting to someone elses thoughts, it is you acting upon your own with some writing. So clearly, if you put up an OP, you'd like it to be read and, hopefully, commented upon.

Now, I realize that maybe I'm just a poor writer, maybe my words don't merit comment, or you all think I'm bats.

All of these are possible.

The question I have is, when you're cruising the discussion groups, what draws your attention? How do you decide what to read? When do you comment?

The only reason why I'm asking is because when I top post, I generally try to put some better effort into it, quite a bit moreso than if I'm just responding. I'd hate to waste that effort and time put into it simply because I'm not "marketing" the post better or something.

[wyldwolf]

1. Posts in order of popularity

3. Posts on policy plans and formulated ideas - sink like a stone.
2. Posts bashing Bush and/or the GOP - will get you some play. but there is a lot of competition.
1. Posts bashing Democrats. Certain to get you a 100+ post thread.

[Lex]

2. Truthfully, the Opening Post must grab my attention in some way

because with all the threads going on in General Discussion, it would be impossible to read them all.

Sometimes it is an intriguing Opening Post, or sometimes it just has be a topic I'm interested in, no matter the OP.

[MadMaddie]

3. What have your Subject Lines been..

Usually it's the Subject line that catches my attention...also if a post is really too long....I may skim through it and end up not posting a response....

[ElboRuum]

14. Title seems to be it... pretty large consensus...

My subject lines have been... OK... not special... but OK.

Truthfully, the title's always the afterthought when I OP.

[izzie]

4. Once you got rid of the 'veggie' and 'cats' I use hit and miss.

I can not seem to go by something that will say 'problem'? Not knowing what it is always gets me.

[Finder]

5. Both your posts had over a dozen...

so that is a good response. One of them had over 30 responders. The posts that get over 100 are usually flame wars so don't take it personally. Also, your two posts were polls...

[ElboRuum]

8. I had three that weren't... they kind of fizzled... n/t

[shanti]

6. if you want

your posts to be answered, you should narrow the subject matter down to certain discussion groups. this one, the GD, is very fast moving. if i was to say, post something about arnold schwarzenegger here, it most likely would be bumped down in a short time. however, posting such on the california discussion group would presumably allow more people who are actually interested in the subject matter to read it in their leisure.

just a suggestion...

[Nictuku]

7. It is probably Hit or Miss

It is all in the title of the topic, if it is a topic that interests me, and if there is enough info in the title to give an idea of what is inside. For instance, (Video) is helpful, for topics I'm interested in. Or Transcript, etc.

I'm more interested in items that have some kind of source link.

I look at DU as more a information central kind of place, vs. getting involved in posting much myself. I usually check in first in the Election Reforms forum (why I originally started coming to DU), and then go to the 'Greatest'.

If I'm home, I check the 'Latest' threads to see if there is something I'm interested in coming up on the TeeVee on the East Coast that I might be able to catch.

Overall, why I click on threads has more to do with the Title than anything else.

Hope this was helpful :)

[ElboRuum]

11. Little bit helpful...

I do notice that a lot of threads that are a blurb and a link get a bit of attention, but unfortunately, those aren't the sort I'm interested in writing. I know a lot of people are skimming the interwebbiverse computer screen looking for these links, and I think that's pretty well covered. I'm more of a non-linking blogger type anyway.

That seems to be the overriding thing everyone is saying, title is key. I guess if GD and GD-P move this fast, they you have to grab them with something.

Thanx for your input. I'll have to keep this in mind.

[MadMaddie]

13. I would like to say don't stop writing..everyone's style is different

and you will only get better by continuing to write....

What is the saying "Practice makes perfect"!!

:hi:

[guinivere]

9. A feisty subject line always reels me in.

It also depends what I'm in the mood for.

[DireStrike]

12. I think the OP is in fact wondering about replies, not views.

Though (s)he says his replies are being unread, he really has no way of knowing that... only that they weren't replied to.

A catchy title can draw you in, but most people have time to click quite a few posts. What you WANT is to get people invested in the thread by replying to it. First you need a bit of time spent on top of the page to attract participants. Then they should want to reply for some reason.

Then they will check back for replies to their replies, and probably reply to those. Meanwhile they will check the rest of the thread for new content in the form of other replies. If they find lots of other replies, their interest will be yet more captivated.

[DireStrike]

10. Kicks make a winning post

Not writing or the ideas presented. Not even recommendations.

Your post has to induce comments. The easiest way to do this is to strongly assert one side of a controversial issue.


The kicks produce new comments, which is new content, which means the thread gets looked at again. And in the best case, those comments have subcomments, instead of just a long chain of agreeing one-liners. You can get this by being passionate (or bigoted) enough about your stance to reply to every single post, refuting point-by-point what your opponents say. Not that that's really bad, but it does favor people with more time on their hands.

These are inherent features of the messageboard medium.

[cboy4]

15. Posts about why your posts don't get enough attention always seem to work!

;)

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

16. Gotta Say, I Wish I'd Seen This Old Thread Of Yours. I Find It Brilliant.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2144109

I searched some of your others as well and I think you did a fine job on all of them. Unfortunately, oftentimes you'll find that the junk threads that really don't have anything productive to say and simply cause division and flame wars or are just fluff type threads, are the ones that get noticed the most. Also, GD is so fast paced that many threads simply get lost. Also, just because your thread might not have a lot of replies doesn't mean a lot of posters didn't read it. A lot of times a thread's message will be seen by many, even if they don't go ahead and offer something in response. All in all though, your thread titles are very benign and not really attention grabbing. I don't think that's your fault, as they were accurate and the thread's context was good. But like I said, with so much going on in GD and threads being created as fast as you can blink, a header needs to be as catchy as possible.

But regardless, fret not. All of us have had our sinking like a rock threads and we'll all be bound to have more of them. Just remember that a self-kick here and there to bring it back up is perfectly fine, as long as you don't go overboard, of course. :)

As far as that thread I mentioned at the start of this post though, I'm glad I just found it and had a chance to see it. I thought it was an incredibly lighthearted, entertaining, original, creative and enjoyable concept. Bravo for it!

[Boojatta]

19. Should there be an anti-recommend feature?

Unfortunately, oftentimes you'll find that the junk threads that really don't have anything productive to say and simply cause division and flame wars or are just fluff type threads, are the ones that get noticed the most.

What if ten anti-recommendations caused a thread to automatically lock?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

25. Unfortunately That Wouldn't Work.

Too many people here with their own agendas and refusal to tolerate other people's points of view. As soon as a topic came up they didn't approve of, those ten negatives could come in a flash. Wouldn't really be fair.

I believe the admins had thought about this in the past and came to a similar conclusion.

[Boojatta]

38. How about simply the option of responding without kicking?

If it is a bit inconvenient to select that option, then people will choose it for a reason.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

41. That Might Be Interesting.

Lord knows, there are divisive threads around here that just beg for replies but then the OP may just keep kicking shamelessly to bait others into constantly responding in order to keep kicking their divisive or nonsense thread, but that other posters keep feeeling like they have to respond in return even though they then contribute to the poisonous thread being kicked back up. I'd probably find that option useful in those threads to be able to reply to the poster without giving them the luxury of kicking the crap.

[cboy4]

35. I've notified the DU ethics committee to launch an investigation

immediately into your possible illegal involvement of "self-kicking" threads in order to keep them on page one.

If I were you OMC, I'd seriously consider resigning.

;) :bounce:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

36. Uddah Wha Now?

:crazy:

[cboy4]

37. There's been so much talk about people resigning, I was just giving

you a hard time about your self-kick comment.

Note to self.....don't tease OPERATIONMINDCRIME when he wakes up on the wrong side of the bed. LOL!!!!!!!!!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

39. ROFLMAO! You Actually Explained Yourself?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

You actually thought I didn't understand and that you needed to elaborate? That's too funny! :rofl:


Note to self....Don't reply with lighthearted sarcasm to cboy4's amateur teasing: It may go over his head completely.

:rofl:

[cboy4]

40. HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!!!

:blush:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

42. :o)

:toast:

[Boojatta]

17. I vote for polls

there really no reason to put up an original post unless you want to start a discussion, express a view, whatever. In other words, it isn't you reacting to someone elses thoughts, it is you acting upon your own with some writing.

If I may nitpick, I'd say that it could be me reacting to someone else's thread. If I anticipate that it could derail an existing thread, then I might create my own thread to react.

When do you comment?

I ask questions more often than I make comments.

If you're not asking questions, then perhaps you should create polls. If you put forward your analysis of some issue and ask people to react by choosing one category, then they might participate in your poll and show that they are reading your thread.

For example, one category could be "I completely agree." Other categories would cover the main reasons why you think someone might disagree. Of course, some DUers might have a reason for disagreeing that didn't occur to you. That's okay because it will motivate people to respond.

[Jed Dilligan]

18. I usually come to DU because I want to see what people are saying

about something I learned about from the MSM. So I go to threads about that first.

On the way certain things will catch my eye--usually, stories I don't know about or stuff about my special topics of interest.

I hang around for two-three days and then back to my real life until I'm really dissatisfied with MSM reports on something again.

[patricia92243]

20. Unfortunately, it is easier to say what I DON"T read: Subject line is stu

stupid :Boy, you should see this" or anything of that nature.

If I do open a post and ALL it provides is a link, I close it - unread.

LOTS of times a post is simply too long.

At other times, even though the post is not necessarily too long, the way it is typed makes it difficult to read - as in no paragraphs. Makes me cross-eyed to try to decipher it.

Also I sometimes vote in a poll, but don't have anything to post.

At other times, people have been so kind as to give a "heads-up" on something - and although I am very glad to have the information - I do not alway post- I'll have to do better on this one.

When a person request that we give a poll a little DU love - I'll go to it and vote, but again do not always reply to the original post.

Speaking of long posts - THIS one is too long - lol.

Hope this is of some help.

[scarletwoman]

21. The only posts I click on are those that have a clear subject line.

If you put up a post with a subject line that says something like: "Wow, did you guys see that?" or "This makes me want to puke!", I probably won't bother. I want to know the actual subject that's being addressed, not the fact that some individual has had a strong reaction to whatever.

When a subject line DOES catch my eye and makes me curious enough to click; if all that post has to offer is a link with no excerpt from that link, and/or no comment about the content of that link, I will quickly move on.

I have neither the time nor the inclination to click on every blind link that's posted -- either pique my interest with an excerpt and/or a bit of pithy commentary, or forget it. I'll move on to the next interesting looking post.

Other than that, there's simply some posts that just don't catch the interest of other DUers. Having been on DU for over 5 years, I've learned to accept that not everything *I* think is compelling and important is going to register as compelling and important to other DUers. The best course is to just accept that your brilliance may often not be recognized by your peers. Try again with something else.

sw

[rug]

22. I look for the word cat in the subject line.

[patricia92243]

23. Oh! Just thought how to get almost all your OP answered: Get on Free Repub

Republics top ten idiot posts - or whatever they call it. I made the list - and then made it for the entire year - with pictures of "me" (not really me.)

Anyhow, I've noticed since then I can post the most trivial things and I always get an answer. It took me awhile to figure it out. I think people hope that if I make the list again, their name will appear too.

I have not made the list yet for this year. I'm going to have to try harder - :)

[EFerrari]

24. Clear subject line and an actual OP -- not a link, not a smilie

but at least one clear paragraph. :)

[phylny]

26. If the subject line doesn't give me specifics, I usually don't read it.

Things like:
---------------

I can't believe it!

Look what's happening now!

This is the last straw!
---------------

I won't read them. However, if the subject lines were more specific:

---------------

I can't believe it! Repubs are trying to blame Dems!

Look what's happening now! Polls numbers being skewed.

This is the last straw with my lying, neocon brother.

-------------


Those subject lines give me more info and I can decide if I'm interested. I also read a whole lot, and only tend to comment when I'm passionate about something, have a strongly opposing view, or have information that others may not know.

[lumberjack_jeff]

27. Excessive use of ALL CAPS, More than two exclamation points or "Moran"

No clickee.

[BlackVelvet04]

28. I bypass the threads that start with

WTF??????? or OMG!!!!! I also bypass threads when the title makes no sense to me. I'm seldom watching what the original poster is watching so if there is no background info and just comments about something they are seeing on t.v. I just bypass that thread.

Spelling is another thing. When the title of the thread has 2 or 3 typos in it I don't have a lot of hope for the original post making a lot of sense.

[muriel_volestrangler]

29. An interesting subject line is the main thing

I try to scan all the thread titles updated in GD since I last looked at it, but that means a lot of them, so I go quickly, and only look at threads with titles that tell me what I'll find inside, and that look interesting (so probably not just another opinion on a popular topic). I do miss some titles because I scan quickly, so if they become popular and get replies to them, there's a chance I'll see them later. I rarely judge a topic on its number of replies, though; occasionally, I'll use the recommendations as a 'tiebreaker' if I can't decide if it really sounds interesting or not.

[Jose Diablo]

30. Posts that have some kernal of truth catch my eye

So there ya have it. If the post amplifies truth, if the poster believes what I do, the truth, then that poster has my approval as do the ideas being written about. Anything I believe as truth, IS the truth. All else is just so much chatter, background noise. Sounds arrogant I know, but it's very hard to be humble when it comes to stuff thats important and you are perfect in every way.

No need to get on your your knees to thank me, glad to help you in your search.

[AZBlue]

31. The subject line, the subject itself and the author.

There are some on DU who are a bit "overplayed" and therefore I shy away from some of their posts and prefer to read ideas from the less prolific among us. Then again, there are some who post often and I almost always read what they have to say. Aside from that, it has to be a subject that interests me, that hasn't been rehashed 100 times, and a thread that isn't filled with mind-numbing lunacy or flame-baiting idiots.

I know what you mean though - I've posted things that I thought would get little attention only to have it reach 100+ - and threads that I thought would be popular get maybe 5 responses. I think timing has something to do with it - I usually post in the evening, when it's late for the East Coast and the West Coast is watching tv.

[bbgrunt]

32. I read everything kpete posts (and a couple others)

[H2O Man]

33. When I started on DU

I thought it would take about six months to become acquainted with people, and reach a point where people would be interested in what I had to say. (At first, being a computer illiterate, I didn't know how to start a post, and needed the patient assistance of another DUer.) After about six months, there was a thread someone else started on a specific issue I was interested in, the Plame scandal. I joined in a discussion with a dozen others, and that led to my beginning to contribute essays.

About half of what I post is still ignored, and drops like a rock. Another quarter gets a polite response. And sometimes one of my posts gets a good response. So I think that patience is a big part.

Another thing that one DUer has said is that sometimes good posts are read and appreciated, but not responded to.

[KoKo]

45. Informative Subject line with a follow up of commentary or a link in the

body of the post. "Hit and Run" one line posts...get lots of hits here, if folks know the poster...but I pass them by...

[BlooInBloo]

34. Gotta treat it like baseball - where 30% success is top-tier...

That's assuming everything else is on your side.

For example, if you post some kind of LBN thingie, and kpete gets to it within 10 minutes of you, give it up. That's just the way it goes.

Posting some sort of a tear-jerker/call for empathy/kitty died in a tree thing is prolly the best way I know of to get a lot of attention.

Posting something that requires that the reader pay detailed attention to what you say may get thread-attention, if interesting, but you'll spend a lotta time correcting idiotic errors-in-reading, since DUers aren't known for their detailed reading abilities. They much prefer to read every third word, and fill in the rest with what-they-want-you-to-say-cuz-it-fits-their-retort-SO-well.

Stuff about general republican outrage is pretty good for attention, if old. An oldie but a goodie, as it were. You just have to come up with a title for it that doesn't *sound* completely repetitive. "I was at the store today and I saw the clearest example of republican homophobia" - for example.


EDIT: I only stopped because I was boring myself with this post - meaning I bored anyone else a few paragraphs ago... :)

[Annces]

43. I will look at the topic of the day to see what people

are saying about it, like around the watercooler. Also certain topics that I am really interested in, and certain posters that I enjoy reading. I will even go through different posts also, to see what so-and-so says about it, because I value their opinions.

For some reason, I have been feeling especially gloomy about George Bush and the torturers in charge, and have been choosing non-political topics to look at lately.

Get overload with Foley and scary stories.

[Raine]

44. Subject line

is the determining factor. I have limited time so it's the subject line that either catches my attention or it doesn't.