Asking a question within a thread

[nofuss]

Ok I am new to the forum and I dont mean to mash anyone's feet but i see something happening, that i dont understand. So i decided to ask and get a feel for what the community thinks. I would try to be as clear as possible without referring to the specific topic or post.

I understand that it is considered rude to start your topic within someone else's thread. However if you have a question that is directly in line with the thread, that may have only come up because of you reading the thread, and the answer to which may assist the original asker in the use of the information in his thread, would it still be out of place to ask the question in the thread.

crazy example but just created to give an example of what I am talking about.
if for example a poster asks " My tachometer has stopped working, and i am sure its the guage, is it safe for me to still use my boat" then discussion goes on for and against, but mostly against. would it be rude for someone to post as a reply "what about boats that are built without a tachometer, my boat never had a tachometer, what should i do? ".
I guess this question may help the line of thinking and help the poster decide which school of though to follow. Or even invite replies that may show the need for a different line of thought.

I have seen similar questions asked and the asker advised to start a new thread.
My feeling is that even if its a question that the second asker really wants answered, and not just put in to show a point, it would be a waste of the resources here to start a new thread to ask such a question.

Please let me know what u guys think about this one.

Pernell No Fuss

 

[bhammer]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

With most forums, it is generally frowned upon to take away from the Op post even if your question is the same topic. It's easy to start your own topic. Plus, there is a much better chance of your specific question getting answered if you post your own question.

I say just start your own question. I have even posted multiple questions as separate threads when they are different topics. Such as:

1. what stereo should I get
2. How do you like your fenders
3. what's this futzer valve for

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

If in doubt, start your own thread.
My 2 cents.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

Basically if it's commentary and not another question that a different person wants answered, it's probably OK. If it seems like it's butting in on someone else's thread with their own question, then it's probably best to start a new post.

 

[capslock118]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

I agree with the other responses; if you have a question you start your own thread.

... it would be a waste of the resources here to start a new thread to ask such a question.

what 'resources' are you talking about?

If people, I don't like when that term is used to describe people. We are not a precious mineral found only in the deepest caves of the oceans; we can choose what threads our time and energy is used in.

If computer hardware, Why would you personally care? are you maintaining the iboats databases and have to worry about disk space, performance, up-time, etc? If so as a db guy myself I don't think trying to save a couple of threads from being created will solve any problems.

My feeling is that even if its a question that the second asker really wants answered, and not just put in to show a point,

If the second person really wants an answer to their question, and not simply posing the question to provoke thought and discussion about the OPs question, then the second person should start a new thread. To that point, I think that if the question was to provoke thought and discussion about the original question then the intentions should be made clear. In may be possible that you want to help the OP and may have an idea of what to do / where to go etc. but you have a missing piece of the puzzle that needs answering.

Per your example, the second question is taking away the thread from the OP because, while both questions have something in common, the tachometer, they are inherently unrelated questions. Question 1 deals with a boat with high RPMs on a tach, Question 2 deals with a boat without a tach. Not the same, they are separate questions.

 

[DJ]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

The short answer. If in doubt-start your own thread.

The long answer. It may be necessary to ask another question to clarify what the OP is asking, that is fine and makes sense. However, if you are asking for your own situation, not the OP's, that is called "hijacking".

 

[Doug N.]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

One of the tricks here is to be polite when telling someone to start a new thread. I think some feathers (or scales) got ruffled over that recently.

 

[DJ]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

One of the tricks here is to be polite when telling someone to start a new thread. I think some feathers (or scales) got ruffled over that recently.

Agreed.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

If you need the question answered (help with a problem you are having), start your own thread, with appropriate title.

It will put your question on the forum topic page where many people can see it and offer the help you need.

If you tack it onto an ongoing thread, it will not be seen by many members.
If it is seen, it may not be answered, for example, if it is slightly off topic.

In your example, I see no reason not to tack it on.
But if you don't get a response, start a new thread.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

Start your own thread and put a link in for the thread that is similar would be what I would suggest. The problem with adding a question to a thread that is old and long is that someone will read through dozens of old posts just to get to a new post. At least for me, I am so annoyed at that point that i won't even bother answering the new post.

 

[nofuss]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

Thanks much for the responses, as i am new to this and generally new to internet forums, the guidance is well appreciated.

The resources I was concerned about, is the time you goodly folk spend here answering questions and giving advice to us who still have the world to learn. but i now understand the reasoning behind the start your own thread idea. or if the question is designed to help the OP get to a solution, it should be written to clearly indicate this.
and the idea of putting a link to another thread, I did not even know that this was possible.

thanks again
No Fuss

 

[Dave Barnett]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

Something I have always done (please correct me if I am wrong) when posting in the forums is to think and reply as I would if a group of us were sitting around talking in person. If something you would say in a conversation is going to change the tone of the topic, it is better to let the subject run its course then introduce your own topic. An exception to this would be if the original poster asked if anyone had similar experiences or indicated that add on questions or info was welcomed. This is just my opinion and I may be off base but it seems to me to be a polite way to post. God Bless. Dave

 

[kend301]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

My " Rule of Thumb" is if what I post will distract from people responding to the original post in any way, I open a new thread .

 

[QC]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

What about posting pics that are too big . . . ??

Sorry, couldn't help it. Welcome aboard nofuss

 

[kend301]

Re: Asking a question within a thread

QC ... start a new thread or I will have to report you to a moderator , This is the exact reason you do not hijack someones thread. The other subject you brought up really does need attention .. think I am going to open one !