OK, I am fed up! (long rant)

[ashling]

I admit that I am not the most computer saavy person around, in fact, compared to some folks ‘round here I am damn nigh techno-illiterate. On top of that I am not the fastest typist in the west. And to make matters worse, my computer hates me – it really, REALLY hates me.

Even the guy down at the local compunerd store can’t understand it. As best I could determine from what he said, it has some sort of Oedipal thing with its mother bored. I dunno.

Some of you probably think that someone as inept as I has no business weighing down this board. At least that’s how it feels sometimes. However, just remember that someone like me has to be pretty damned determined to try and make a go of it around here.

So cut me some slack.

OK, It’s not so much what anybody says to me (and to people like me – I know there a lots of other long suffering cyber-confounded humans just like me still in the closet) Its what they DON’T say.

For example, everyone is continually annoyed by people who don’t post a link to their message in Latest Breaking News.

What I REALLY can’t stand, however is when they don’t post anything BUT a link – and the subject line is a “teaser” at best! Nada! Zip!

I takes me forever to chase those things down (generally crashing everything else on my computer along the way) only to find that I wasn’t really interested in the first place. An its even worse when they just post a DU link. I mean like it wouuld kill you to ad an extra line or two of text or – GOD FORBID!- actually cut and paste?

[swag]

1. Oh, bummer

[Dookus]

2. I agree...

I hate blind links. Even worse is when people disguise them as a short link so you have NO idea if you're clicking to launch a website, download a file, watch a video, etc.

I'm also sick of the newsmeat.com posts that just say "so and so is onboard" and give a link. Why not just say how much the person gave, and to whom?

Oh.. I know why... cuz he's just trying to score hits on his website.

[Ramsey]

3. In LBN I do

Mind. Posts there MUST have links, it's the culture of the forum, and also a rule if I recall. However, I do agree that links ONLY posts are incredibly annoying. I at least want some inkling of the subject matter. Lots of off-DU sites take forever to upload even for the net-savvy, and I really want to know where I am going when I hit a link, and that it will be worth the wait.

[hlthe2b]

4. Thank you! I totally agree and the problem seems to be increasing..

No one wants to be hounded by "etiquette nannies," but I really do think it is rude to those who might be on slow dial-up connections to give no indication what the link is all about. I don't know if it is folks trying to get their post counts up quickly or they just don't think about it... But, even with DSL, I usually won't click on a video or PDF file link without having some clear indication what it is all about. Who wants to tie up their machine with a large download if you only have few minutes to browse DU?

This is certainly not an issue limited to new users. However, new DUers often compalin about having their posts disappear immediately after posting. To avoid this, it really is necessary to "sell" the thread. Cutting out the "juiciest" paragraph or two and adding a couple of your own thoughts to encouratge discussion along with the link really doesn't take that long.


We'd all be very grateful!

[DrZhivago]

5. dial-up?

I dont understand whats the problem, are u on a 386 or something.