What are the ingredients for a Quality Thread?
FatMan
Posts: 8,977 ✭
The poll about recent post quality got me to thinking about what makes for a quality thread. I'm interested in everyone's views on the topic. If you can't put it into words, feel free to link to one or two that you believe are quality.
I'll share some of my thoughts a bit later.
And yes, I know...this is not a quality thread.
I'll share some of my thoughts a bit later.
And yes, I know...this is not a quality thread.
0
Comments
Interesting
Educational
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>Entertaining
Interesting
Educational >>
But what makes for entertaining, interesting, and educational in your opinion?
Informative
Interesting
Kind
Factual
-- Whining or complaining about grade results, unless some sort of interesting evidence of a trend is set forth.
-- Shockingly poor photos, unless they're by a newcomer or someone who can't afford a nicer camera/scanner.
-- Any thread where a newbie is treated rudely instantly becomes a bad thread.
-- Complaining about eBay/PayPal fees is pretty tiresome.
-- Sniff-up threads to David Hall or PCGS.
-- Caterwauling about the server (I'm guilty and will continue to be)
2. Input from the most knowledgeable board members
3. Not just a show off your coins thread--if I want to look at stuff I can peruse any dealer or auction house website
CG
The list of dislikes is easier:
* troll posts whose main purpose is to get a reaction, especially when they work. Ignoring trolls is difficult but it is by far the best way to deal with these people that seek attention.
* misleading headers, headline says one thing, post is about something different.
* spam posts or self promoting posts (e.g. look at the prices on these, these are hot. Oh, by the way, I happen to sell these all the time. Or guess the grade on what I just bought and btw it is for sale tomorrow on BST).
* Misinformation, outright lies are dangerous when there are so many new collectors reading here. It is one thing to couch something as opinion, but so many opinions are stated as fact, and they just aren't. Sometimes these are posted in response to newbie questions and can be doubly dangerous.
1. Thought provoking.
2. Interesting trivia.
3. Nice pictures or photo tips.
4. Something I know nothing about and can learn something.
5. Something I know alot about and can help someone else.
6. Guess the grade, especially if educational.
Ingredient for a bad thread.
1. Tirades about other dealers and collectors.
2. Umpteenth post giveaways.
3. Tirades against ebay, Paypal, snipers.
4. Requests for readily available info that someone is too lazy to look up.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>Anything posted by Laura.
Russ, NCNE >>
I was going to say, anything posted by Laura would not = quality but certainly = quantity.
<< <i>1. A topic that makes you think
2. Input from the most knowledgeable board members
3. Not just a show off your coins thread--if I want to look at stuff I can peruse any dealer or auction house website
CG >>
I agree, along with
4. No input from me. I'm just an insulting troll
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
From gyocomgd:
Let's proceed from what a quality thread is not. (My pet peeves)
-- Whining or complaining about grade results, unless some sort of interesting evidence of a trend is set forth.
-- Shockingly poor photos, unless they're by a newcomer or someone who can't afford a nicer camera/scanner.
-- Any thread where a newbie is treated rudely instantly becomes a bad thread.
-- Complaining about eBay/PayPal fees is pretty tiresome.
-- Sniff-up threads to David Hall or PCGS.
From RedTiger:
The list of dislikes is easier:
* troll posts whose main purpose is to get a reaction, especially when they work. Ignoring trolls is difficult but it is by far the best way to deal with these people that seek attention.
* misleading headers, headline says one thing, post is about something different.
* spam posts or self promoting posts (e.g. look at the prices on these, these are hot. Oh, by the way, I happen to sell these all the time. Or guess the grade on what I just bought and btw it is for sale tomorrow on BST).
* Misinformation, outright lies are dangerous when there are so many new collectors reading here. It is one thing to couch something as opinion, but so many opinions are stated as fact, and they just aren't. Sometimes these are posted in response to newbie questions and can be doubly dangerous.
From Lakesammman:
Ingredient for a bad thread.
1. Tirades about other dealers and collectors.
2. Umpteenth post giveaways.
3. Tirades against ebay, Paypal, snipers.
4. Requests for readily available info that someone is too lazy to look up.
but I must admit I am drawn to the pic thingys, especially if they include neat comments.
Pete
My grandchildren. The heirs to my collection! (Just not to soon I hope)
For entertainment value, anyone with a sense of humor can create a Quality Thread™.
For scholarship, I try to read everything posted by roadrunner, billjones, cladking, conder101, longacre, tradedollarnut, and kranky, just to name a few right off the top of my head. There are many others who deserve to be on the
For visual stimulation ("eye candy"), mgoodm3, Russ, and a few other photographers cannot be beat.
Sometimes the above two or three intersect, and you have the best of all worlds.
Frankly, I think Quality Thread™, as a concept, is mostly about the attitude of the reader. If you approach any topic thoughtfully and/or with a sense of humor, any thread can be high quality. If you enter the thread with a negative disposition, fabulous numismatic perspective can be lost on you.
One exception to all of the above: I do not mind an occasional typo (frankly, I expect it-this is not spelling or English lit class), but some of the rambling, stream of conscious OPs with poor grammar and spelling really take away from what could otherwise be a Quality Thread.
<< <i>* misleading headers, headline says one thing, post is about something different.
* spam posts or self promoting posts (e.g. look at the prices on these, these are hot. Oh, by the way, I happen to sell these all the time.
4. Requests for readily available info that someone is too lazy to look up.
I agree with these with the following addendums:
1. More annoying than misleading headers are brief headers which do not describe the content of the thread -- something like: "I say NO way . . . ". Come on, be a little more descriptive. We shouldn't have to have Mark Feld remind us about this every 2-3 months.
2. Some tips on readily available information: If you need Greysheet info, purchase a download of the latest Greysheet (at "greysheet.com") for $4. You can even purchase a one week old download for only $2.50. For even a semi-avid collector, I think most can spring for $2.50 every 2 or 3 months or so. Also, for those that need pop reports, its free online if you are in the Collectors Club. I suspect some may not realize this.
My other pet peeves:
-- Improper capitalization and/or punctuation. These threads are very hard to read, and usually the eye strain is just not worth it. The "all caps" or "all lower case threads" are simply brutal! (Spelling and grammar errors, if not too numerous, are much more tolerable, and in Sperber's case, even entertaining
-- Carrying ongoing Open Forum arguments / vendettas to the Coin Forum. Try to keep this crap down below where it belongs!
<< <i>
<< <i>Anything posted by Laura.
Russ, NCNE >>
I was going to say, anything posted by Laura would not = quality but certainly = quantity. >>
It was nice knowing you guys. You will be missed.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
but, if its a query or question.... hopefully its a well thought out question that gets a good response....a good title announcing the post is helpful...
if its a guess the grade post... then good pics are key and its nice when they post the grade in a reasonable amount of time lol.
if its a bashing post, oh boy arent those fun! It's better if the insults and insinuations aren't old hat... come up with something new and biting and stop rehashing old insults
Ultimately a good post is Informative, Concise and Accurate and Entertaining.
cheers!