Let's help Viktor J. become a better forum communicator

[Viktor Jarikov]

This topic was started spontaneously under a highly inappropriate titled thread (I mean for such a topic)
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... =4&t=30545

So, if anybody has things to say that they believe can help me and, perhaps, others (by all means, do shy away from using my example for teaching others in the present or in the future/posterity), please dive in. All feedback is desired and welcome and, moreover, sincerely appreciated.

"One thread for everything" is a difficult thing to handle. A thread to indicate another thread needs attention is, in my opinion, completely pointless - post something in the ORIGINAL thread in that case.

Indeed, and actually this is cross-posting, which is against the forum rules, and could see a warning issued. No one has a right to have their posts answered. If it doesn't get answered, then maybe look at re-wording the question or providing more data. Or even resorting to a "why is nobody answering, I've was hoping that after a week or two (polite)" post.

I have to say I find a selection of your posts hard to follow as they do not stay on topic. Enthusiasm can be offputting at times. I'd suggest that is the number one reason why any posts don't attract a lot of replies or good discourse.

Jools

Jools, I totally agree with the first remark. I must pay attention to the topic title and refrain from straying, which I do indeed - it's just often too easy to do, not that this makes it right, and the hard thing is indeed to stick to the topic and keep one's and everyone's focus and the clarity and cleanliness of a given thread. In fact, I had realized I stray even before you mentioned it - you brought it in the spotlight for me, thanx!

The offputting enthusiasm remark is very hard to understand without further elaboration on your part. I think enthusiasm is exactly what's powering this site and your work, Jools. So, are you implying too much over the board enthusiasm? Some kind of "bad" enthusiasm? Or is it a part of your first remark on straying - as in being so excited/enthusiastic that it is hard for me to stay on topic? Or am I making people uncomfortable in some other way??? I need more before even having a chance to try improve my forum activities.

Finally, there is a small misunderstanding: I'd be the last to think that my posts deserve answers and I am not complaining about my posts and requests not being answered. I am quite satisfied with the community's helpful feedback, not that it cannot be better, of course. Creating a fresh thread that said "this old thread needs attention" was just a perfectionist speaking in me. I'd side with those who'd say this is borderline OCD.

[Bas Pels]

@ too much enthousiasm

Did you ever try to explain a very enthousiastic kid how to keep his fishes? They normally don't pay attention to your answers, but keep shooting questions, and everything is cool

Having 1 tank, with 5 fishes can result in
a) 5 topics 'what kind of fish do I have'
b) after that - how should I care for these fishes, but most often the cat-e-log will provide ample answers (or other sites, if the fishes are not catfish)
c) knowing what you have, and how to care for the individual fish, you could end up with hard to combine demands, resulting in queries how to find a compromise or
d) the attempt to sell one or two of the fishes (each in its own topic) and
e) discussions re husbandry
f) obviously, you will want to have other fishes in their place: thereforee questions re combinations with new tankmates
g) after all the above, I think we deserved to see the result

But in most cases (quite) a few of the above can be skipped

[Jools]

Or is it a part of your first remark on straying - as in being so excited/enthusiastic that it is hard for me to stay on topic?

Yes, exactly.

Jools

[grokefish]

There is a simple solution to your problem Viktor (Not that I personally think it is a problem although posting a topic along the lines of look at my other thread is a bit much).

Reread your post/topic and see if the comments you are making are relevant to that particular thread.

Unfortunately forums are not conversations in the true sense, if you were having a conversation in the pub with me Jools, Mats and Bas then this sort of straying from the subject would be normal and catered for because the conversation would be flowing along in a continuous timeline. However people on here tend to dip in and out over the course of the day/week/month and can get a bit lost as to what is going on and there fore cannot help you.

I use many forums covering many different subjects where I will often skip through threads and post but on PC I always ensure I read the whole thread before posting so as I can give the best advice/suggestions/make the bestest jokes I can give because we are dealing with live animals and I take it seriously (without being boring)

Others on here use it like I use other forums and skip or glance through the thread and then post (I'm not saying I am any better than them) so may miss a very good point they could have given if the topic is all higgldy piggldy.

Also you yourself could miss out on some amazing knowledge/help from some of the massively experience on this forum, which would be a shame for you and for your fish.

In short just stay on topic within reason.

Having said that I have been involved in threads which by a few pages in have really strayed off topic but it has been a much longer progression towards that end rather than changing topic three times in one post.

Personally I like characters like you on forums it makes them more fun but I am not an admin or moderator so I don't have to worry about the problems it can cause.

Anyway I'll shut up now, everyone knows I can go on and on sometimes......

[Jools]

I'd be the last to think that my posts deserve answers and I am not complaining about my posts and requests not being answered. I am quite satisfied with the community's helpful feedback, not that it cannot be better, of course. Creating a fresh thread that said "this old thread needs attention" was just a perfectionist speaking in me. I'd side with those who'd say this is borderline OCD.

Well, someone who spends two days changing all the fonts sizes in his website might also be borderline OCD!

I should have been clear here that my comments were to all users of the site (past and present) where there has been an expectation of reply and indeed the response to not getting a reply has been to type more. So, it's a balancing act for me in terms of making sure the site is lively and folks can indeed get feedback against a descent into anarchy.

We all like a smidgen of anarchy from time to time, but not in my websites.

Jools

[Jools]

And, also, now that I think about it, mods are there for this same reason. We might be better looking at that too.

Jools

[grokefish]

*Stuff*

We all like a smidgen of anarchy from time to time, but not in my websites.

Jools

and the gavel falls!!!!!

[Jools]

Aye, I know, I think the sites richer for having Viktor around. And the Grokefish, Sid the Guppy from Madacasger and the international cast of many others.

Jools

[grokefish]

Aw shucks, thanks Jools

[Viktor Jarikov]

and the gavel falls!!!!!

??? What's a gavel fall?? You lost me here, Grokefish. Hence, I am not in tune with Jools' reply and your reaction.

[grokefish]

Just in case you were not aware, Jools is the creator and owner of PC. He has worked tirelessly to bring this forum to the amazing resource that you see now. He has done this pretty much out of selfless enthusiasm for Catfish.

Jools is the cappo what he says goes as it were, he doesn't want anarchy so there must be no anarchy, tis easy.

Don't worry, it's not a shot at you, if anything the gavel was falling on my head.

[sidguppy]

tnx!

if only I can get my paws on true Madagascar catfishes, but one can hope....

Jools, I'm quite addicted to my wee lil bit of anarchy, it's sort of symbiotic you know; me and anarchy
good thing I'm A: not Irish and B: into fish; otherwise me and my symbiotic anarchism probably found another type of amusement that would have landed my sorry behind in the slammer

[Viktor Jarikov]

Grokefish, thanx. I knew Jools was the King here. And now, thanks to you, I am also abreast of Jools' tirelessness and selflessness (just a poke at you, Grokefish).

By all means, take all the shots you will at me .

What I needed was a lesson in English - you are giving me too much credit wrt my vocabulary.

Gavel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A gavel is a small ceremonial mallet commonly made of hardwood, typically fashioned with a handle and often struck against a sound block to enhance its sounding qualities. It is a symbol of the authority and right to act officially in the capacity of a chair or presiding officer.[1] It is used to call for attention or to punctuate rulings and proclamations. It is customarily struck to indicate the opening (call to order) and closing (adjournment) of proceedings, giving rise to the phrase gavel-to-gavel to describe the entirety of a meeting or session. It is also used by judges in the courts of some countries and by auctioneers to signal a sale.

@Sid: is the essence of your humor that there are no cats in Madagascar?

[Birger]

@Sid: is the essence of your humor that there are no cats in Madagascar?

Take a look at these "beauties"...I too would clear out all my tanks for these.

Anchariidae

[Mod edit: Add clog-tags to family name --Mats]

Birger

[crkinney]

What was it that other famous Scott said A little revolution is good now and then.
Sean Connery, I think.

[Jools]

Well, I'm not sure about him (BTW, did you see the picture my Mum took of SC at the local swimming pool when they were kids), and indeed us Scots are not as revolutionary as some might think. Certainly as the popular media suggests.

We are however, very good at invention, dispersion and relaxing.

Jools

[grokefish]

Note that this thread has strayed from the topic....................

[Jools]

Note that this thread has strayed from the topic....................

Indeed, note also it's in the speak easy...

Jools

[Viktor Jarikov]

well, for my part, the arrogant me (who thinks he knows English all so well) should have checked the dictionary first before polluting this post and this site with things that turn out to be simple English question. So we are not that far off the topic, overall, - I just gave you another example of why this thread was born in the first place. You should have rubbed it in my face right away but you appear to be to much of gentlemen?

[crkinney]

I know we are in danger of getting of track here ,But I have just finished reading a history of the Scottish Highlander NOT war like ?
Now lets all get back to picking on Vitor.
O yea you were real cute when you were little jools

[Viktor Jarikov]

do you mean when I was acting a little bit like Jools, i.e., advising others (you?) what to do and not to do?

[Viktor Jarikov]

....I have to say I find a selection of your posts hard to follow as they do not stay on topic. Enthusiasm can be offputting at times. I'd suggest that is the number one reason why any posts don't attract a lot of replies or good discourse. Jools

Jools, your graceful attempt to ascribe my insufficient focus to some positive feature, such as enthusiasm, and not to some other, less attractive feature of mine, has not gone unnoticed. Saw it right away. Forgot to convey my appreciation.

[Jools]

Jolly good, now we're all finished slapping each other heartily on the back, let's get back to the forum...

Jools