Suggestions

Estelle

"Hi Joy, usually a thread should be removed when someone leaves the site. If this isn't the case then please let us know and we can get this corrected."

How are we to know when someone 'leaves the site'?

It would make more sense to get rid of the'discussions', but, of course, it's GR's 'new idea' and that won't happen.

It would be much more beneficial to steer people in the direction of the 'search trees' tag.

And also, of course, to put right everything that is currently wrong with this site. A list which grows longer by the day

Hi Jax, we're going to see what we can do here with regards to posts added by deleted members. I'll get back to you when I have more information.
Kind regards,

Estelle

That used to be the case, Estelle.

There are a fair number of threads like this where the members joining date is Jan 0001...the poster cannot be contacted why are they still on the site?

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards.page/board/ancestors/scobie/thread/500883

Estelle.
Many of these posts are over 5 years old.
Rather more than a while ago I think.
The search tool might be more useful if the age of the posts was restricted to say, the last 2 years & were not referred to as "discussions".
It´s very misleading to people who don´t entirely understand how the boards work.
There are often new members who are under the impression that queries are answered by Genes employees, rather than fellow members.

Hi Joy, usually a thread should be removed when someone leaves the site. If this isn't the case then please let us know and we can get this corrected.

Kind regards,

Estelle

"Whilst some of these posts were added a while ago, it doesn't mean that these people aren't still members of the site."

- true. However, one original poster offering a look ups thread had left the site and that particular thread was removed after I had pointed this out to GR Support. This could be the case in other instances and, for that reason, I was glad that GR agreed to put a sticky on http://www.genesreunited.co.za/boards.page/board/ancestors/thread/1298341

Hi everyone,
thanks for all your feedback regarding our new link to the Community on our homepage. We are sorry that some of you feel that we shouldn't be posting links to old threads.
The aim of this new Community section is to show members posts they may not have seen yet. For some, it may even be the first time they have visited our message boards. We can see from some of the posts on our message boards that some of you have already had some success with this and come across information that you were previously unaware of.
Whilst some of these posts were added a while ago, it doesn't mean that these people aren't still members of the site. It could just be that they haven't used the message boards for a while. And we are aware that you may not receive a reply for each post you make or message you send. However, by simply reading a post about your name you may see a snippet of information on the thread you previously didn't know about your family. And we feel that this is invaluable.
Many of you are experienced family historians, and you’ll all be aware that you’re going to come across many brick walls in your research. If you see 30 posts about 1 name and just 1 of those posts breaks down that brick wall, I am sure you’ll agree with us that it would be worth seeing all the other 29 posts first.

Kind regards,

Estelle

hello
after reading all the posts about this topic

cynthia has hit the nail on the head :-D

sally w

Oh come on IGP, you know the answers to all of your questions.


GB is right......what is wrong with giving members advice to help them along?


It may be of course, you are referring to the fact that not all advice is given in the same manner.


As my mother used to say......


It's not what you say, it's the way that you say it!

What do you do IGP when you see a member post on a lookup thread that is dated 2009 and is obviously not current?

Well I post that fact on the thread and suggest they start their own one and that way they will get help as more members will see it. I also pm that person and inform them they are unlikely to get help on an old thread which is not being used.

"1: Unless there has been a contravention of the guidelines and / or T's and C's, no member has any right to tell another member what they should or should not post, "

It is not a question of that at all. Members simply offer advice that the thread is not current and perhaps they should contact the poster direct.

What is wrong with that !!

So am I right in saying:-

1: Unless there has been a contravention of the guidelines and / or T's and C's, no member has any right to tell another member what they should or should not post,

2. There is nothing in the guidelines to say that members must not post on 'old' (whatever that means) threads.

Thanks Scozzie.


IGP, as far as I am concerned, it is not a matter of saying that one 'must not' post on an old thread - it is a matter of advising those who do, that they are unlikely to get a response because the original poster may not be looking for replies any more.


You must have seen the number of times I, and others have posted a message similar to this over the years:


Hello ********* and welcome to the Community Boards.


You have added to a very old thread and ****** may not be looking for replies any more.

You can try clicking on their name and sending your message that way. If they still have the same email address, they will be notified.

It may be worthwhile putting the names you are researching into the Search Trees box to see if anyone else has them in their tree. If you find a connection, you can contact the tree owner.

Also, if you would like help with your research, why not start a thread of your own? There are many experienced members willing to help you. Take a look at the Help Clinic - above left - for further advice.




I then send the new member a friendly PM to advise them how to find the advice.



That is not telling anyone what to do IGP, it is trying to help new folk so that they aren't disappointed if they don't hear anything back.



According to a post on FB last week, GR are considering adding guidance about replying to old posts to the Help Section.


I have just received a grateful PM re this post from yesterday and, fortunately, the gentleman GB and I advised has found the thread and posted on it.

http://www.genesreunited.co.za/boards.page/board/ancestors/millard/thread/344579



Cx.

I agree that 'Discussion' messages on Home Page and "Post of the day" are unnecessary.

"2. Where does it mention in the guidelines that members must not post on an 'old' thread, assuming of course 'old' can be properly defined?"

- not seen in the guidelines. However, it would seem pointless to post in an old thread that offers look ups when the original poster has left the site.

Two questions:-

1. Other than, perhaps, directing them towards GR's T's and C's or Guidelines for message posting, what right does any member have to tell another member how they should or should not use use the message boards?

2. Where does it mention in the guidelines that members must not post on an 'old' thread, assuming of course 'old' can be properly defined?

Thankyou Cynthia.



I had to give that long explanation - because I couldn't understand why I kept getting told "this is what we DO", or make anyone else understand that I was trying to help someone else, I was not looking for anyone or seeking help.

As for the poster who told me to stop........ that was downright rude. We are ALL members of GR, no-one has more "rights" than anyone else.

I will continue to post on the boards, but now I'm wary of what discussions to participate in. Some (thankfully very few) posters give the impression of being ..... how do I put this?.......in a club?

:-)

The response you will get from me Scozzie, is an apology for any upset I have caused you.


I simply tried, in good faith, to help you in exactly the same way I help others who are not used to the boards.


The thing that keeps me going are the many messages I receive from people who are grateful for my help.


I hope this is an end to the matter as far as I am concerned.


Meanwhile, I will go and help those who posted yesterday.


Cx.