Etiquette question

[medicinedog]

I could ask Bob this but really would be interested in what others thought.
Say I start a new post on a clown I just completed with images included . John Doe posts a reply to my post and includes pictures of his clown he carved. Johns clown may be more or less interesting than mine. Did John hijack my post or is this just an exchange of ideas and carvings? I'm not trying to start something here I'm just curious as to what others would think. I see the discussion could be enhanced with others adding their creations to the post but also see how someone would feel slighted if their post took a different direction than intended.
Lar

[Inadv]

Lar,

One would only hope that those who post original threads as well as those who respond to them would all be mature and genuinely sharing in the free exchange of a common interest. On the rare occaision I have seen folks take offense with others for the most ridiculous reasons and become upset to the extent that they just stopped posting altogether.
The human languages are often woefully inadequate, and of course everything is also subject to interpretation. If we take a position that all comments are intended positively then there is a far smaller chance that we will be offended. That is often difficult to do, but by and large I believe that the majority of people active on this message board apply that sort of "filter" simply because the "ill will" events are so very few and far between. I also believe that is one reason that so many people are regular participants. Camaraderie is a very fine thing.
Speaking strictly for myself, I tend to think my posts through before ever starting to type, and when I'm done typing I re-read my comment. Often I will edit or re-word the comment in an attempt to assure that I have conveyed the thoughts intended and that no one will be offended. I think I'm likely not the only one who practices this level of diplomacy.

L.P.

[mpounders]

I think if your post was intended to present your completed clown project, then John Doe should have started his own thread. They're free! If your post was intended to solicit ideas or examples of clowns, or seeking advice, then John Doe probably did nothing wrong. Some people are pushy, some are clue-less, and some just reply without thinking. Since I have been guilty of all those sins, in some situation or another, I sure would hate to cast the first stone! Like Inadv said....diplomacy!

[Claude]

It sorta all depends, maybe...

As an original thread-starter, if you feel someone is attempting to hijack your thread, send a PM to a moderator and ask him/her to please move the post to its own thread.

Claude

[Stan Curtis]

I totally agree with Inadv. We should be mature enough to resist offending our peers ... and mature enough to ignore those who are less prudent. I really appreciate the open information and camaraderie of this forum and would hate to give it up due to some attitudes expressed by others. This has happened to me on a different forum where I was savagely attacked for an innocent post. This group has shown remarkable patience and resilience with all members over the time I have lurked and joined. Let us keep it that way!

[Hugh-P]

Well, I'm guilty of that sin just once , a person was asking for help, and I posted a photo of another bird that showed where their error was. My thought was, 1 photo was worth a 1000 words. It didn't go over very well. Not a good idea to post a photo that competes with the bird that started the thread. So my vote would be its not good etiquette.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Hugh is exactly correct. A forum is supposed to be an exchange of ideas and opinions and I think that would include photos as well. If someone wants to post a photo, comment or anything for that matter on one of my threads telling me there is a better way of doing something by all means do it. Maybe they see something in my work that I don't. As most of threads end with a request for comments or critiques should we only be limited to things like "job well done"....'Attaboy!"...."Great Job!" If we can't be honest about what we're really thinking then those are the comments that should be prohibited as they help no one. If you think the original intent of your post is being "hijacked" then say so and reorient it back in the direction you think it should go. It is your thread after all.

[Tommy Taylor]

Thanks for posting this.I would hope I would realize if something I was posting might be considered offensive and not post it.I know if I ever did that to someone I would hope they would send me a personal message about it first to not involve the people that spend a lot of time overseeing this site.I know I would be very apologetic and remove the post myself if we can do that.I do have to admit I'm going to have steal your saying about not being finished not doing anything.I love it.Appreciate the giggle and it just made my morning.Hope you have a good 1.

[TexasSteve]

I am with Lynn 100% on this. Especially as a new carver I always ask for advice. I have never once thought if someone posted a picture showing me how to do something it would be poor etiquette. I also agree we should all be ready for any advice if we are asking for it. I know i won't get better if everyone always tells me it "looks great, keep it up"
My two cents
Steve

[ABitoSlo]

Lar - glad you started this thread. I'm pretty naive about Hijacking a thread, though been on forums for a very long time, and am pretty sure I I’ve done it plenty. In this particular case, you post, not asking for it to be critiqued, it’s your own post, not obviously inviting other pictures, then yes, that might be considered hijacking, or only slightly rude, unless the person starts asking questions directing the whole thread to their stuff.

Real life example of where I am a bit embarrassed, but nobody here said anything, was Fly Fishers excellent “Chain and Swivel Tutorial”. I thought I was adding to the e discussion…but in retrospect should have been a new thread. (Did I just ‘jack’ your thread?)

Resp to Hugh and Lynn’s comments: I like to see pictures that explain where I made a mistake, that is when I’m asking for a critique. It’s worth more than those thousand words. Both the “great job,” “take a little more off the nose,” and “needs a little clean-up” are all welcome in my book. Thinking of the thread starter as “Let’s see your Gnomes,” and “Here’s my Elf, let’s see yours” would actually be the thread to add our own pictures to the thread I guess.

Oh! I have a perfect example to answer! You gotta laugh at this: I post “My 1st Cowboy! I’m so proud!” (and note I didn’t ask for a critique) Lynn drops a whole bar scene on me. He, among very may excellent Gentlemen, and Ladies here, are so good at what they do, I would just pack up my suitcase and go home in tears. But if I DID ask for a critique, I would be more than happy for Lynn’s or anyone else to post a picture that helps me understand and improve the craft.