The Thank You Feature

[DocJohn]

The thank you functionality was created by folks who were concerned that people use total post count as a contest as well -- that some members love replying to every thread, even with nonsense sometimes, to improve their post count and gain the next user title. The thank you button was created to remove this incentive for people who only wanted to say, "Right on," "Thank you," etc. to a post.

[Wittesea]

Thanks DocJohn for starting a poll to get member feedback :)

Personally, I love the idea of being able to thank someone by clicking one button. I often have questions when I have a symptom flare, and typing is often very difficult during a flare -- so being able to thank people for answering my question without having to type is something that I personally like very much.

I can also see why people would dislike the feature, so I am glad that you started a poll so everyone can give their feedback and opinion.

Liz

[LisaL-TOS]

Doc John,

I had to chuckle :p when I read your comment where some people have to reply to every single post and yes, some with nonsense, just to gain.

I often wonder if they have a life other than the computer and if they live in disarray in their homes as who would have time to do household chores, cooking, attending to family members while sitting at the computer 24/7.

I would have severe cervical, hand, arm, shoulder problems posting all day long.:o Yes, there is life outside the computer. ;)

Charity Begins at Home!

Happy New Year.

[redjpwranglergirl]

The thank you functionality was created by folks who were concerned that people use total post count as a contest as well -- that some members love replying to every thread, even with nonsense sometimes, to improve their post count and gain the next user title. The thank you button was created to remove this incentive for people who only wanted to say, "Right on," "Thank you," etc. to a post.

Thank you, Doc John, for explaining the reasoning behind this. And the reason for it's creation make sense- I'm sure if the past is any indication, both here and especially on obt (since most of us were members of obt much longer than here), we all know people on our own "personal" forums that as you said, love to reply on every thread, and ALOT of times with nonsense. The thing is, and this is just my opinion, while the reasoning behind this creation is good, the people who do do this- post alot and with nonsense- are probably NOT going to use the "thank-you" function to just say, "thank you" etc. I imagine that if upping the post count or the "thank you" count is their main goal, the addition of the "thank you" button is not going to stop them or change things....They'll still continue to post non stop because to some people that number under their names is really important- in susceptible individuals it may be one way of making themselves seem important or to be seen an authority on the subject.

[Jo*mar]

Some people do just care and want to help others too, numbers of posts aren't the important thing to them. IMO

[redjpwranglergirl]

Some people do just care and want to help others too, numbers of posts aren't the important thing to them. IMO

You're right, Jo. I do know that there are alot of people who are very caring and supportive and go out of their way to help others and the number of posts under their names would reflect just that- that they have good hearts and are there to help others. But as the old saying goes- "there's one in every crowd". There are some who do post because that number is important to them and they won't be the ones who'd use the thank you button. And I give the people on this forum credit for being very smart and if they've been on obt and this one for very long, they know the difference between those who post nonsense to get their "numbers" up and those who are genuinely caring and helpful people.:)

[kimmydawn]

Thanks DocJohn,

I, personally, hope that a button of some sort will be allowed to remain for members who have limitations/difficulties with typing and manipulating posting. If it's not tracked anywhere, that's more than fine. I think that those who are severely limited in their abilities to type, click, and the such could greatly benefit by this "one click" thank you but more. :)

In fact, I think it would be awesome if we could tailor that button with a drop down menu of some useful "automatic responses" (i.e. thank you, i agree, please tell me more, check this out, etc.). I know that's probably not an option, but how cool that might be?

Also, that might reduce the anxiety/concerns regarding the "thank you" alone?

I think this might be a good way to help some current members, future members in one of possibly many ways to come.

KD

[bizi]

wow...
people try to get their numbers up????
I think we are all here for support, to give support as well as receive support.
I would presume that almost all posters are greatful for this community.
I know that I am very thankful for the friendships and the information that I have gained from being a member.

I am glad that there is a poll...would you put a notice at the top of each forum announcing this poll please so that others will know to come vote their opinions.
thank you
bizi

[bizi]

In fact, I think it would be awesome if we could tailor that button with a drop down menu of some useful "automatic responses" (i.e. thank you, i agree, please tell me more, check this out, etc.). I know that's probably not an option, but how cool that might be?

KD

Now that is a neat idea!

[DocJohn]

I agree -- that would be very cool. Since I didn't write the mod, I can't tailor it, but it's something I might be able to have someone else do. For instance, to give virtual "hugs" to a member who's posted, and it's hard to find the words to say something more/else....

[mrsD]

And that was FAST working too! ;)

I think a Thank You for threads alone is fine...will help those who are shy,
have physical impairments, or whatever.

I am glad the option for leaving it in, is there without tallies. That is what I
voted for today. The tallies to me are very problematic for so many reasons.

But the Thank You concept is nice. And I like the virtual support button idea, too.
Although I am not a huggy person especially to people I don't know, a hug
is nice when given appropriately. Some sort of "support button" would be nice, and humanize the cyber experience alot here (and maybe if you get one written, will be picked up by other forums in time as well).

[Doody]

It doesn't matter to me one way or another.

You rock Doc John! http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/rockon.gif Thanks once again for NeuroTalk and all that you do. It's comforting to know you're out there watching over us.

[bizi]

:Bow: Dear Doc John,
could you possibly add a "hug" graphic to the already long list of graphics...
sorry to ask this but I am not able to find a "hug" graphic when that is all I really want to give someone..
so that would be great!
bizi

[Idealist]

I'm kind of with Doody on this one. It doesn't really matter to me one way or another, as long as it doesn't turn into a medium for judging or labelling people. I would hate to see anyone's feelings get hurt.

Idealist

[Darlene]

I too agree with Idealist and Doddy. Can we just use the option to do either way? Which ever way feel happier with.

Darlene

[OneMoreTime]

I used the "thanks" button several times on this thread when I read it an hour or so ago. But while I truly meant "Thanks" to John for explaining one of the reasons the button was first created", the subsequent "thanks" meant more "I agree with you" or "Good Point"

So I fully agree with the person who suggested a drop down menu of alternative comments - that would be so cool.

I am one of those people who is sometimes here for hours, but more likely just drop by to check this forum or maybe one or two others - just to look... and sometimes don't come by for days at a time.

And sometimes I am in the mood and have the time to respond fully, in public or private, to express all my thoughts --- but most times, I just quickly browse a few threads and then split, for adding short and simple responses of Thanks or I Agree or Good Point seem to merely clutter up the thread by making others think that REAL REPLIES of substance have been made. It irks me no end to sit here waiting for a thread to load, only to find that sort of replies.

But at the same time, I KNOW that these sorts of responses are important to many (most?) who post here - that having those brief little "Thanks", "I agree" and "Good Points" are important points of connection to others in their lives and so I have always realized their intrinsic worth.

Sum total then? I am so glad that vBulletin has so many users who are so talented and have created so many wonderful customized functions, and I know that a request for a multi-response selection is certainly something attainable. vBulletin ROCKS! :p

Teri

[Doody]

I have a couple graphics maybe Doc would like to use for hugs or whatever. Lord knows, they're everywhere.

I kinda like the group hug. http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/grouphug.gif

My favorite little heart. http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/throb.gif

Well, can't ya just feel the love? lol http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/love.gif

I like this simple little hug a lot. http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/hug.gif

Totally unrelated to hugs and kisses but one of my all time favorites, LOLOL is: http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/thud.gif

Well, maybe this is my 2nd favorite and close runnerup to Mr. Thud. http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/holysheep.gif LOLOL!

Doc's welcome to borrow any 'cause I borrowed them somewhere!

[Doody]

http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/grouphug.gif

For Doc John...

'cause sometimes I wonder how your mental health is doing when we start knocking your ideas.

If you get to feeling embarrassed or...kinda like you're being rejected, come on over to SOS. We're good listeners. :D

[mrsD]

I especially love the "thud" one. Everything these days sort of makes me
feel that way.;)

The hugs are nice too.;)

[Doody]

Yup, Mrs. D., I have a lot of those thud moments, probably why I like him so much.

And don't ya have days where ya just feel like http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/plantpull.gif and http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/kick.gif

I sure do. :winky:

[Lara]

Well, all I can say is that I hope I haven't affected someone's mental health or made them embarrassed or feel rejected by dismissing an idea. :confused:

[Curious]

Well, all I can say is that I hope I haven't affected someone's mental health or made them embarrassed or feel rejected by dismissing an idea. :confused:

:hug:

( i love the new smileys. thank you docjohn and doody )

[Chemar]

just want to keep this bumped up so everyone who wants to will get the opportunity to vote

[Doody]

:thud: :thud: :thud: :thud: :D

[~KELLWANTSANSWERS~]

I wanted to come over real quick and say, thank you as well!
I love the new cute lil smiley's..

:grouphug:

[frogga]

I love the idea of a drop down menu - it would definetly make my life much easier if I could just select something from a menu as typing takes forever. Also a thanks button would be really good - as sometimes you just want to say "that was very useful" or "gentle hugs" or "is there anything I can do to help?" etc. I know I find times when I just feel I need to know that other people are out there and understand what I'm going for - so just having a couple of people just either saying thanks or "I understand what you're going through" can make such a difference sometimes. Especially when there are no words that can comfort you.

Thanks

Frogga xxxxx

[KimS]

Wow! I just came in to vote on this and thought for sure people would love the thanks button! I'm even more surprised to see that people want it removed though as it's not like everyone's required to use it just because it's there.

It never dawned on me that people would post little things just to 'up' their 'level' and I don't really care if people do that. I also don't really care if 'thanks' posts are counted or not but I lean toward not counting them because in my own mind, my most contributing posts are the only ones that really count anyway.

I like the button idea because sometimes when I see some really good advice, I like to acknowledge the contribution but don't have enough of my own information to contribute to the discussion. However, I still want to say 'thanks' because the information they posted is good enough to guide me in my next bit of 'research' to try and find some more answers for myself/my family.

Also, it's a nice big time saver whilst still allowing me to be supportive of valuable/contributing members who are posting outstanding information... esp. if it's a new thread and it seems like no one is acknowledging the contribution.

I think that's about all I thought on it... Oh, I really like the cute new graphics for hugs. I also had a great chuckle when I saw all the other little 'characters' that were posted on this thread... They were cute enough that I had to call the whole family over to see and so we all laughed well tonight... So, thanks for that from all of us here, ages 7 to 40. :):grouphug:

[bizi]

Well, all I can say is that I hope I haven't affected someone's mental health or made them embarrassed or feel rejected by dismissing an idea. :confused:

I think you are wonderful Lara.
bizi:hug:

[bizi]

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!:grouphug:
I love the new smiles....
If we could only have my favorite....
winnie the pooh hugging tigger
anyway anyone?

bizi
*whisper...(the hug from OBT)

[Chemar]

If we could only have my favorite....
winnie the pooh hugging tigger
anyway anyone?

bizi



hehehe...I heard ya whispering there ms bizi:D

dont have the original but I do have this one
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/almasattic/v-2575-19-044.jpg

[bizi]

oh Chemer,
Yes that is it!!!!!
thanks for making my day!
bizi:grouphug:

[bizi]

I kinda like the group hug. http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/grouphug.gif

My favorite little heart. http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/throb.gif

Well, can't ya just feel the love? lol http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/love.gif

I like this simple little hug a lot. http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/hug.gif

[bizi]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/almasattic/v-2575-19-044.jpgthank you for this gift and I will use it

[Chemar]

you are sooooo welcome bizi:circlelove:

it is my favorite hug graphic tooo:)

[snidermame]

Thanks DocJohn, but I how do I get Thanks to appear at the bottom of my message?

[Jo*mar]

Do you mean the button isn't showing ?
or when someone thanks you ?
I just thanked you so it should show now.

[OneMoreTime]

how do I get Thanks to appear at the bottom of my message?

At the bottom of someone else's post, there is the large "Quote" button that you can click on to respond to someone. And now there is a second large "Thanks" button, just to the left of the Quote button.

Hope you can locate it now, but if not, please just ask again. We may not be describing things well....

Teri

[snidermame]

Teri I do not see the Thanks button in my message I sent to DocJohn. Do you see it? Maybe I am blind. Ha!! I am tired and think it is time for bed!

[snidermame]

jo55 I just sent Teri a message and there was no thanks button on the bottom of my message. Do you see it? Ha!

[Jo*mar]

the button doesn't show in your post - to thank someone you click the button in their post- does that help explain it better?

[OneMoreTime]

Teri I do not see the Thanks button in my message I sent to DocJohn. Do you see it? Maybe I am blind.

You will NEVER EVER see a "Thanks" button on your OWN posts -- only on the posts of others. You can't thank yourself, only others!! - Teri

[snidermame]

Teri, "You will NEVER EVER see a "Thanks" button on your OWN posts -- only on the posts of others," explains it all. Now I understand. Boy oh boy, I need to go to bed now! Thank you lady.

[snidermame]

Jo55, thank you I now understand. I am kind of dense tonight. Time for bed!:D

[who moi]

I have mixed feelings about the "Thank You" button feature...

I think in our currently society, it is more than ever to say "thanks" because so much is dwell on the negatives and the irreverent. Politeness such as "thank you's" are definitely needed, imho...

however, having also been around for a long time around the forums. I can see the "thank you" button creating problems for those that have low self-esteem that may not have any or as many thanks that some other members would receive?

A lot of the times, a forum can spiral downwards simply due to someone mentioning "clique" or when someone feels "left out"

And it can escalate into oblivion that really just drive people away...

I am not sure if it would be too much trouble or not, but can the thank you button be seen privately??

In other words, let's say I was to thank "Doc John" for his post. And I click on the "thank you" button...only Doc John can see it and he has to log in to see it.

That way, people get thanked privately, people don't have to worry about being "left out" and I also find scrolling down through the thank you's a bit distracting from the main posts...

just my $ 0.45 opinion(due to inflation..LOL)

cheerio......

tis good to have this fine forum to come to, nonetheless...I personally greatly appreciate it....:OuttaHere:

[lou_lou]

I do like it!

because w/ Parkinson's disease, when you shake, and really need the info,
but can't do much more than read, I think it is a kindness, needed...
PS:
the reason -I have 10 cents instead of the usual 2 cents, is because
my rates went up... :D
LOL!

[who moi]

LOLOL Lavelulu, always trying to undercut my prices!! LOLOLOL!

Great to see you!

(((HUGS)))

:cool:

[artist]

Hi all,

I just noticed the "Remove your thanks" line that comes up when you thank someone....now, that does look a little odd. Who "removes" their thanks, why would anyone do that???? Can't ever remember saying "thank you" to someone then saying "Oh no, sorry, I take that back"..just doesn't ever come up in real life - does it?? :Hum:

all the best!

[Wittesea]

Hi all,

I just noticed the "Remove your thanks" line that comes up when you thank someone....now, that does look a little odd. Who "removes" their thanks, why would anyone do that???? Can't ever remember saying "thank you" to someone then saying "Oh no, sorry, I take that back"..just doesn't ever come up in real life - does it?? :Hum:

all the best!

I don't officially know why the "remove thanks" is part of the feature, but my best guess is that whomever created the "thanks" feature included the "remove" button in case someone hit the 'thanks' button by accident.

The "thanks" button is fairly close to the "reply with quote" button, so there are probably people who hit the wrong button by accident - and the 'remove' part of the feature was probably added so that if anyone hit the button by accident they can fix their mistake without a lot of hassle.

That's my best guess. We can remove our 'thanks' the same way we can edit our own posts when we make a typo :)

[septmystic]

I guess being new here, I did not realize there was a post count. For me it is simply a way of saying thanks for those posts that help. I have not used the button as of yet, but would if I found something particularly helpful. It's a supportive gesture, a gesture of manners that has been nurtured in most people. Since when did saying Thank you, Please, etc become a numbers game?

Septmystic

[loisba]

I really have enjoyed this thread, plus I've greatly enjoyed the thanks button. It is greatly appreciated for those moments when I want to thank someone for their post, but I'm just too tired or maybe too busy to actually post a thank you. As has been stated, you don't have to use it if you don't want to. Of course, there would be no problem at all if only the originator of the post being thanked could see the thanks. I did think of that as a possible solution.
I like the new smilies, there were some comments about them awhile back in this thread. But I wish someone could explain the simple hug one to me: :hug:
I can get the group hug, but the plain hug to me looks kinda like the pinkish smilie is about to sock the greenish smilie in the chops. What am I not getting?
Hugs,

[lisashea]

I agree -- that would be very cool. Since I didn't write the mod, I can't tailor it, but it's something I might be able to have someone else do. For instance, to give virtual "hugs" to a member who's posted, and it's hard to find the words to say something more/else....

Virtual hugs would be way cool!

[Lara]

I was just testing the feature out using all the different themes. The one I usually use is the chestnut and it seems to me to be the one where people might be more likely to press the thanks button rather than the quote just because of the colours. On the other themes, the colours tend to stand out more and wouldn't be so difficult to press the wrong button. I guess the remove thanks button is useful if someone accidentally presses that instead of the "quote" like I just did LOL

I voted in the beginning of the poll when the number of thanks were tallied and visible on the screen, before that was moved to only show in profile. It seemed totally superfluous. Works perfectly fine in a user's profile as far as I am concerned. After reading all the responses again, I am guessing some people didn't see it when it was like that.

Anyway, I'm thinking that I probably should have waited longer before I voted. I'd still prefer to post a message or send a private message myself, but can totally understand that the thanks button might be useful for other users here, as Lavlou and others have stated. I think I've posted this before on this thread or maybe the other one, but really wanted to post about the appearance of the *thanks* in the different themes.

take care,
Lara
:)

[artist]

Yes, of course I realize the "remove" button is there in case of accident; it's the placing of it that worries me - too much "in-your-face", should be smaller at the bottom. As it is, you thank someone and when it comes up it sits there, first, big and obvious, shouting "Did you mean that? Are you sure? Don't you really want to take it away?" - it kind of works like a big suggestion, rather than a "side tool". (I'm a designer, I notice these things...:Painting: ... ;) )

Whoever designed the vbulletin layout got most of it right, just needs some tweaking...
all the best!

[Chemar]

yikes...yes I just tested it, artist, by giving you thanks for your post and then removing it :rocket:

hafta confess I personally do not like this feature:rolleyes:
I find typing a quick thank you or clicking on a few of the appropiate smilies to be more to my liking :Thanx: :I-Agree:

[Curious]

geepers. so you can take a thank you back? :eek: after how long? does it just show it gone or leave a record which thank you was taken back? ( on the profile..if you check who thanked you?)


i'm warning y'all..you give me choccy...no taking it back..unless you want your hand bitten :p

[artist]

Well, yes! Curious you ain't getting any choccy or cookies back, oh no, no how, no way....:winky:

I'm just talking about the "remove thanks" button here (although I'm not keen on automated thanks at all)....

I can see the "remove thanks" feature becoming an expression of resentment; there are people who remove their posts if they're miffed, so this will definitely be a tool in the "someone really upset me" armament...

Maybe the mods should remove misplaced thanks if contacted - although I can't see that inadvertently thanking someone is such a terrible problem, unless it's a troll...everyone likes thanks. If you press the button on the wrong post...so what?? - leave it there and thank the other person too. In fact, the more I think about it, the less point I can see to this particular "tool".

On balance, I think it'll do more harm if left there than otherwise. It does look mighty peculiar.

My 0.2c worth!
all the best :)

[JoJo6]

virtual hug is good? :) yes,I like that one.

hello everybody, its been a long time.I have missed y'all very much:grouphug:

I'm still trying to figure out what the thanks and #'s all mean.? Do I have numbers? :eek: Julia

[Curious]

hi jo...coffee is waiting for you in the caregivers forum. :)

the numbers were showing up under peoples names. right now they are in your profile.

[JoJo6]

Thanks Curious, how did you know I needed that coffee so much?:confused:

now I have lost the thank you feature so I guess it doesn't much matter to me:p Tis true it has been a long time since I was here last and I'm having a heck of a time understanding this first thread I started reading in:winky: I like all the new icons that I'm finding. Julia

[JoJo6]

well you told me to take my thanks back so here it is. go hunt it:p

Jo is Joking, I hope you know:)

[Curious]

:p hehehe jo

the thank you button shows up only on other peoples posts. you can't see it on your own. so if you want to thank somebody for a certain post....you click on the thank button on their post.

have i confused you now? :D

good to see you. all the new smileys are fun.

[JoJo6]

oh, like that? why you sweet mama monkme.:hug: how have you been? I thought for a min. there I was lost forever . Gotta go do dinner for Mr. Jo, will be back later. may I say thank you again:D Jo

[Doody]

Sometimes I wish I could thank myself. :D Or a nice little pat on the back. *pat *pat

We must have a V-Bulletin board different from Braintalk? I like it that Doc John watches over us and gives us options. And especially that he answers so promptly.

http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7719

[Curious]

:eek: doody..you got a bad case of cornfusled. you even posted a link to bt. ;)

:p me thinks doc is pretty up on the vb software. whatcha think?:winky:

:::pats doody on the back:::

[Doody]

Yeth, Doody is very cornfusled. Ask anyone who knows her. :D :Hum:

[DocJohn]

So the "yay's" have it, 48 to 44. But we will remove any numbers related to this functionality, so there will be no tracking it or such.

Thank you for your votes and feedback, it is very much appreciated!
John

[artist]

Okeydoke, the crowd has spoken... just one request.

If the "see all thanked posts by username" is shown in the profile, can the order be reversed in that list so it comes last. Unless I'm completely unusual, I do often use the "see all posts by", less often the "see all threads by" and will probably (out of sheer curiosity one bored evening maybe) take a gander at their thanked posts, but very seldom. SO "see posts" first, "see threads" next, "see thanks" last.

Make sense? Hope so...I'm almost unable to type with tiredness...what do others think?? I'm going off to :Zzzz: tis 2a.m. my time...zzzzzzzzz

all the best :)

[Chemar]

I hope the thanks tally is completely removed from profile too :o

giving thanks is nice...but keeping a record of it.................hmmmmm....

[Curious]

I hope the thanks tally is completely removed from profile too :o

giving thanks is nice...but keeping a record of it.................hmmmmm....

*poof*

it's gone. doc sure is good at pushing those buttons. :D

thanks docjohn