Regarding posts with only a thread title and a naked uncommented link in the message text:

[geckosfeet]

I usually skip the link and sometimes trash the thread depending on forum and link url. I just don't find click pan handling attractive. A naked link (no comment,explanation, discussion or observation) does nothing to motivate me to click it. At least offer me a tidbit of information in return for clicking your link.... especially if it links to your personal blog.

9 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Time expired
	Would you click the link?
	1 (11%)
	Would you move on to the next thread wihout clicking the link?
	7 (78%)
	Would you trash the thread before moving on to the next thread without clicking the link?
	1 (11%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[oppressedproletarian]

1. Naked links...

...are my pet forums peeve, and some forums actually ban them. It is accepted etiquette to at least provide a summary or quoted passage from your link when posting. Same for videos, even if embedded. I have to be really motivated to click a link or video and almost never do.

[Aerows]

2. If you can't take

a few minutes to even explain what you are posting and why you are posting it, why should I take the time to click on a link?

[tularetom]

3. Well, if the link actually contained the word "naked" I might click on it...

[geckosfeet]

5. ... that's another poll

[treestar]

4. I won't click on them

Like you, give me some reason.

Also won't play videos that are longer than a minute or so. I need a lot of motivation to do that. Or someone saying at 3:45 is the interesting part.

[geckosfeet]

6. Yep. I think naked video links are worse than naked web page links.

[taterguy]

7. Regarding Meta threads posted in GD

Give the hosts a break.

[geckosfeet]

13. Oh - is it a lot of extra work to monitor a poll?

Please explain. I am in dunce mode right now.

[Th1onein]

8. How would one "trash" the thread?

Don't understand.

[gkhouston]

10. Everclear? n/t

[geckosfeet]

11. Click the "trash this thread" button

Located in the lower left corner, below the thread content next to the "Thread info" and "Bookmark this thread" buttons.

It removes them from your thread listing. I find it very convenient for many gun forum threads.

[MADem]

16. You hit a button provided by the admins that makes the thread disappear from your view. nt

[HereSince1628]

9. This reminds me of the failed 5 sentence rule on DU version 1

I don't think the folks who do it are likely to change.

[geckosfeet]

12. No - but just trying to see if I am an anomoly. Guess not.

[HopeHoops]

14. Sometimes they can be really great posts, that is if...

[MADem]

15. I think it is the height of rudeness, frankly.

I also find cryptic posts---ones that "assume" the reader knows what the poster is talking about--the height of attention-seeking combined with hubris, if such a thing were possible. They scream "Look at me! I'm IMPORTANT here, dad-gum-it!!!"

Why is it so hard to behave like a human being and provide a one or two sentence explanation? Or is that "not cool" or something?