What do you think about 'bumping' discussions?

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Wicked Wahine

I am referring to the practice of posting a comment or just saying "bump", specifically for getting responses to a discussion that either has none, has few, or just stopped getting responses, but the question was never answered, (there may be more reasons, that's all that came to mind). I believe this practice is to avoid people posting a repeat discussion later. I have only seen this done a few times, but just did it myself for one of my own discussions.

So, I am wondering what people think about it, if they even care? Usually, I have seen bumps employed by admin, not members, but since I just did it, it seemed worth asking, as I didn't find any info on it after searching the forums. Now, we all know searching the forums is a hit or miss venture, so I also tried Google & Bing searches of the site. Alas, chances are, I just missed something anyway, so please, forgive my ignorance & tell me what you think! Have you noticed this before? Do you do it? Does it bother you when you see it? Gee, could I sound more like a two year old with the questions?

04/29/2013

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surreptitious

(Review Program Mentor)

Quote:

Originally posted by Wicked Wahine

I think that it's a great practice, but I tend not to do it here very much because it doesn't seem to be common practice on this forum. I think that if something's important enough to create a discussion about, you should be able to bump it up if you're looking for more input, especially if you haven't really gotten an answer to your question or if you're sharing information that is still important. That being said, because posts award points, I'd be hesitant to bump too many things in the course of a day for fear of being looked on as a point farmer.

That being said, I've also seen "bring to the top" buttons on other forums, which are like bumps without taking up a post. I definitely think that I'd like to recommend that in the monthly "improve Eden" thread, but I may as well wait a couple of days for it to change over so that the suggestion doesn't get passed by.

In summation, I love the practice of bumping, I see it a lot on other forums and think that it's fantastic to keep a thread in the eye of those who might wish to comment on it, however with the recent crack down on point farming, I'd be hesitant to bring bumping here both because it would look like I was just doing it for points, and because there are likely people who would do it simply for points.

Edit: I also want to make it clear that I don't think that /you/ would bump a post for points. Just that some unknown people might.

04/29/2013

peachmarie

I don't know what "bumping"?

04/29/2013

surreptitious

(Review Program Mentor)

Quote:

Originally posted by peachmarie

I don't know what "bumping"?

Wicked Wahine explains bumping in the first post:

"I am referring to the practice of posting a comment or just saying "bump", specifically for getting responses to a discussion that either has none, has few, or just stopped getting responses, but the question was never answered."

04/29/2013

charmedtomeetyou

(Review Program Mentor)

I think it's fine in the instance you mentioned, if you really do want an answer and it's been a while. I don't like when people do it too often or all the time.

04/29/2013

Ryuson

(Review Program Mentor)

I think it totally depends on the topic. If it's "What's your favorite cheese" and everyone ignored it because they didn't want to answer, I probably would be a bit annoyed at people bumping it.

On the other hand, if it's a topic like "Help! I need to tell my boyfriend I'm pregnant tomorrow!" or something immediate like that that you really need input on... I totally don't mind bumping.

04/29/2013

Rossie

I've done that. Although this thread was started by LaUr3n, I've bumped it twice, because I want to know how many new contributors are from my state...I'm nosy!!!

04/29/2013

Wicked Wahine

Thanks for the input, people!

@ surreptitious, I think you have an excellent point about making sure it's not construed as a point farming attempt! I never even thought of that, probably because I am a chronic goody two shoes! I didn't think you meant me, silly, but thanks for the clarification, you know I can sensitive little flower.

@ charmedtomeetyou, yes, of course, no one would want it out of control. I've actually not seen it much at all. And then that little voice started nagging me, "Is this okay? What if you get slapped at for this?"

@ Ryuson , loved your examples! No problemo, I did not ask something stupid, (I don't think so it was What's the kindest act you have ever seen? ), but sometimes you spend a good amount of time on a topic, or, as you said, need an answer sooner, rather than later. And sometimes, you just know it will get answers if you had posted it at a better time, darn it -- that would be my problem, but my muse, is such a flighty bitch, I just can't control her, or my insomnia! I had many discussions I thought were good, that disappeared, so I just stayed sad about it, until I saw this bump business on the forum. I like to think I would know if it was a topic no one wanted to answer because they thought it lame, but maybe not? At the least, I wouldn't bump it twice.

@ Rossie, I never thought about bumping someone else's thread, but that sounds like a compliment to them &, (until you blew your cover), it seems selfless!

04/29/2013

FieryRed

I basically agree with all the previous responses. I think that as long as it's used judiciously, it's a good tool to have, and I doubt anyone will fault you for it.

Now I'm curious about what it was you needed to bump... Off to find out!

04/29/2013

Gary

On here, since it's so laid back, you can very easily bump a thread with a casual comment. Most people do that, and it looks a lot nice.

04/29/2013

Wicked Wahine

Quote:

Originally posted by Gary

On here, since it's so laid back, you can very easily bump a thread with a casual comment. Most people do that, and it looks a lot nice.

Thanks for the official weigh in, Gary! I like to leave a comment, not just put *bump*

04/29/2013

Woman China

When I was on here more frequently, I would bump threads started by me or others. Especially if it was a thread I enjoyed. I encourage people to bump threads if they want more answers. However; like Surreptitious mentioned... bumping is great... but if it is used as point farming?

Now? Meh. I mostly live in the social and Eden Lives Healthy category. So for the EDLH section... I know people who want that information know where it is and will visit on their own so I don't worry.

04/29/2013

Real or memorex

I'm in favor of it when good conversations get buried/remain unanswered.

04/29/2013

K101

Quote:

Originally posted by Wicked Wahine

I like bumping!!! Lol. I think it's really handy for some threads, especially informative ones. If I want to keep up with a thread just for personal fun or to see replies, I'll just favorite it or whatever, but if I think it'd be useful for a lot more people & see that it's quickly getting buried, I'll make a bump by commenting.

04/30/2013

js250

I think it is a great option to have as long as it is not abused for points. If it is an informative, serious or interesting topic---bump it! If there have been many discussions about the topic...let it die a natural death.

04/30/2013

Adriana Ravenlust

Because there are so many threads on the forum, I'd rather see bumping than all the repeats. Especially because the search function is so poor

04/30/2013

rosythorn

Quote:

Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust

Because there are so many threads on the forum, I'd rather see bumping than all the repeats. Especially because the search function is so poor

agreed, bumping is fine.

04/30/2013

Trysexual

It has it's place.

04/30/2013

Total posts: 18 Unique posters: 15

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