Post padding

[JS2K6]

In many of the hot deals threads, there's often 25-50% completely useless messages, often consisting of something like "thanks", or "nice price" or other one to three word posts. Seems like these are often done by a few people in particular (after reading enough threads, you'll know who they are), and I'm guessing it's for post-padding or something equally lame. Putting them on my ignore list helps, but it does get a little bit irritating at times to have to filter through these useless posts in many threads. Would it be any use to restrict posts that are less than a certain length, like 2-3 words?

[Psygineer]

I have to agree that filtering through pages of "Thanks" "Entered" etc can be annoying at times (like when looking for new UPCs for a contest), however limiting post length wouldn't really help anything.
Example:
If the limit is that a message must contain at least 4 words.
Thanks for this OP.
I entered this now
LIMIT: 5 words
I will go get this
I hope I win this

Then again, a little kudos for your effort in making the OP is always nice.

[billdozer]

thanks

[Nikita]

You're welcome :)

[Bazooka Joe]

I like it myself. Without the thank you posts some threads may not get bumped to the top which could cause them to be missed.

Also let's face it, there's not really much in it for deal posters, so a series of Thank You's is at least a way for users to show their appreciation.

[teknoluv]

Would it be any use to restrict posts that are less than a certain length, like 2-3 words?
Quite a few forums out there set it to like 10 CHARACTERS, which would be about 2 - 3 words. But it would also take out the liberty to post some cutie short posts. Yes, it's a fine line to draw; and I think too strict a forum would take away the FUN part. After all, this is NOT a professional/industry forum.

[Jucius Maximus]

While saying 'thanks' in Hot Deals might be post padding, I think it's also a legitimate measure of how popular or useful the deal is, and draws attention so more forum readers can get a piece of the action.

I do say 'thanks' but only if I benefitted or passed it on to someone else who benefitted. So it does contribute to the credit of the original poster and give some positive feedback.

So in conclusion I don't think that saying 'Thanks' or 'Entered' in Hot Deals is entirely bad, and shouldn't always be considered as post padding.

[ReFuGeE]

good post.

[tokajim]

the only response that i don't like seeing is

"+1"

if someone else already said it, then your post adds absolutely nothing to the thread.

thumbs up in advance for the obligatory quote and +1 lol message i'm bound to get.

[ccubed]

the only response that i don't like seeing is

"+1"

if someone else already said it, then your post adds absolutely nothing to the thread.

thumbs up in advance for the obligatory quote and +1 lol message i'm bound to get.

+1

Sorry - couldn't resist!

[3weddings]

I like it myself. Without the thank you posts some threads may not get bumped to the top which could cause them to be missed.

Also let's face it, there's not really much in it for deal posters, so a series of Thank You's is at least a way for users to show their appreciation.

I have to agree with you. Many times I log in from elsewhere and don't peruse all the forums for the day's deals. By seeing them bumped (or padded like you think of them) when selecting New Posts helps me.

[Bazooka Joe]

the only response that i don't like seeing is

"+1"

if someone else already said it, then your post adds absolutely nothing to the thread.

thumbs up in advance for the obligatory quote and +1 lol message i'm bound to get.

As a +1 user, I find it's easier than typing "I agree with your post entirely".

In hot deals it's not really appropriate I'll grant you, but in off topic it's a quick way to lend support to an idea, argument or opinion (which the majority of off topic posts tend to end up as).

[jerrytoyer]

thx

[FerrisB]

thx

+1

[Canadianpsycho]

+1

+1