The length of a post should be open to criticism

[LightPhoenix]

Basically, I see it as akin to (and basically as) thread-crapping. If you didn't read the post, why are you posting in the thread at all, let alone simply to say that you didn't read it? That's exactly like the people who threadcrap in the 4E or DDI threads.

There would be a valid complaint if the original post was an actual criticism about the length of the post, or if it contributed anything to the discussion. It didn't, and so this seems more like a case of sour grapes than anything.

 

[Umbran]

Length is just the same. Beyond a certain point, it becomes inappropriate for a discussion board, and more suited to other media.

Having some critique of presentation is not horrible.

Having only critique of presentation tends to come across as over-critical, dismissive, threadcrapping,or the like. In this particular case, your point about "that's better for a blog post" reads quite a bit like, "that's a great house rule", which we also discourage as a response in the rules forums.

Is it best to have a huge wall of text? Maybe not in many cases. But it isn't a sin, either. While blogs are great for long pieces, blogs also require the reader to be looking directly at you, while a message board gets far more "passing through" traffic. If you don't have a well-read blog to begin with, a message board isn't a bad place to put such a thing.

Ultimately, if you don't care enough to read at least some of what he's got to say, you probably should just leave it be. Hobo, just below your post, is a good example. He also had problems with the presentation, but took the time to at least read and talk a little about the topic of the thread.

If the presentational aspects are so bad that they stop the reader even being able to comment on the content, then isn't that, in itself, worth commenting upon, and helpful for the writer?

Giving constructive criticism is an art, and requires a bit more finesse than just speaking your mind. Perhaps ironically, presentation of criticism may well be more important than presentation of the original post.

For example, public criticism tends to engage the ego a lot more strongly than doing it privately. So, next time, you might consider going through all the reading anyway, making a short on-topic post, and then follow that up with a PM: "I think you made some good points in that post, but next time, you might consider...."

 

[Nifft]

If nobody at all was responding to the post and the OP was bumping the thread asking why nobody was posting, or if the OP was specifically looking for your thoughts, then I think it would be fine to post about your opinion about the length.

This.

It is not good etiquette to walk up to a stranger and tell him what you think of his taste in clothing.

If he asks, then one is free to offer one's opinion.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Doug McCrae]

In order to be a better member of the community, I must try to be more like Hobo.

This is a new low.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

In order to be a better member of the community, I must try to be more like Hobo.

This is a new low.

Hopefully that was a kidding remark, rather than a cheap shot.

I guess in this case the answer is, yes, try and be more like Hobo and at least have the courtesy to try and read it before posting a criticism of the post length. If not, then you might be better off remembering what they say about when you can't say anything nice.

 

[Abraxas]

I suggest that if a post appears too long, you either ignore it or, if the topic really does interest you, ask the OP to give you the condensed version

My own forum viewing habit is to ignore any post that includes elements that I find make it hard to read. If it is something a particular poster habitually does I put them on my ignore list.

 

[Merkuri]

I suggest that if a post appears too long, you either ignore it or, if the topic really does interest you, ask the OP to give you the condensed version

Asking for a condensed version or summary sounds like another good way to show that you're genuinely interested but turned away by the format. It doesn't come across as mean criticism, it comes across as, "I want to read this, but I can't. Help me?"

 

[IronWolf]

Length is just the same. Beyond a certain point, it becomes inappropriate for a discussion board, and more suited to other media.

This seems quite subjective. For you a long opening post may be inappropriate, but it seems the OP is getting responses and some interaction.

I don't see why discussing things at length on a discussion board is inappropriate. Sure, not everyone will have the attention span to read the whole first post, but it does seem some folks did and commented.

If you see an opening post that exceeds your idea of how long an opening post should be, hit the back button and find another post to contribute to the discussion on. Just as you would with a topic that was not particularly interesting to you.