Repeated look-up requests - annoying

[MaryA]

It is a case of "Requesters take note" since I and a couple of other people spent sometime a couple of evenings ago, in fact we got carried away each popping up with another bit of information following on from the previous one, and the recipient was thanking us after each bit, not realising that there could be more to come.  I had to make a stop at half past midnight, and told her to check out any missing links and to post again to fill in the gaps if necessary. 

If somebody responds nicely, you don't mind going that little bit further for them.  It's nice to receive a response.

Mary

[Sylviaann]

I think we've had this before somewhere.

If I catch them at it I usually put a reference to the original post on the second or subsequent posts.  If the name seems familiar I look at previous posts and put a reference or mention that this has already been done.

Is this why we seem to have lost a few of the older (as in posts) lookeruppers?  I know people on "my" boards seem to have stopped looking.  I know I don't do as much as I did

Sylviaann

[kerryb]

I always try to thank people for help even if it is a sorry couldn't find answer to your request.  I then always reply with a thanks for trying. 

That's what is so good about Rootschat - it is a conversation not just unreplied to requests!!!! 

Lets keep it that way, courtesy costs nothing, but don't get me started on that, it's drivers who don't acknowledge me letting them through - a pet hate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kerryb

[Grothenwell]

Thanks to kind people doing Lookup requests I found out a lot about my English/ Welsh ancestry (there was a time this fact would have hurt me greatly, but I've grown up - a bit anyway). Those people are what makes Rootschat the best. I thought the only ungrateful so and sos were on GenesReunited, but I suppose they are everywhere in life (yes Kerryb they annoy me as well!). Please don't stop doing the great work you guys do on the bad manners of a few. Why do they waste their own time with the same look up requests that have already been answered?

Grothenwell

[joboy]

Looking at the posts on this subject I thought a little analysis of the submissions might be worthwhile.
There are 'pro's and con's which in my mind is very democratic.
This is what I have selected;
....................................................

"I get quite cross"
 
"just remember who they are for future reference"

"but I think less computer literate or new people
to the site may not think or know how to do
this, so while I do find it annoying I am tolerant
of the person making a second request".

"Posting a reply is no more difficult than posting a new post so I'm afraid I don't count that as an excuse"

"someone left a reply to one of my posts that "this was a repeated lookup..." having read this post am feeling slightly frustrated".

"I have to confess to having made the same request for information more than once -due entirely to my own incompetence. I did acknowledge the fact when the kind person who helped me pointed it out. I really ought to be better organised. The trouble is that I often plan to do soimething in my mind and sometime later, it is difficult to remember whether I actually did it or if I only thought about doing it".

"I have lost count of the number of times when I have answered a question quite fully only to see the same question, slightly rephrased perhaps, appear a day later or the same day. So - other members tackle that with enthusiasm and post the same answers having spent the same search time all over again".

"Thing is.......it has spoilt it....because I will not do it again".

"If somebody responds nicely, you don't mind going that little bit further for them.  It's nice to receive a response".

"If I catch them at it I usually put a reference to the original post on the second or subsequent posts.  If the name seems familiar I look at previous posts and put a reference or mention that this has already been done.
Is this why we seem to have lost a few of the older (as in posts) lookeruppers?  I know people on "my" boards seem to have stopped looking.  I know I don't do as much as I did"

"That's what is so good about Rootschat - it is a conversation not just unreplied to requests!!!!"

"Lets keep it that way, courtesy costs nothing, but don't get me started on that, it's drivers who don't acknowledge me letting them through - a pet hate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Thanks to kind people doing Lookup requests  I found out a lot about my English/ Welsh ancestry (there was a time this fact would have hurt me greatly, but I've grown up - a bit anyway). Those people are what makes Rootschat the best. I thought the only ungrateful so and sos were on GenesReunited, but I suppose they are everywhere in life (yes Kerryb they annoy me as well!). Please don't stop doing the great work you guys do on the bad manners of a few. Why do they waste their own time with the same look up requests that have already been answered?"
..................................................................................................

From my personal viewpoint I was 'roundly chastised' for commiting this sin within a few days of joining rootschat.
The chastisment was not done by means of a PM but openly (with a hint of derision) to rootschat subscribers ........ but the matter was settled amicably by the use of PM's.

I am 78 years old ............ relatively new to family history and learning what to do is not as easy as it was when I was more 'nimble minded'.
Maybe it would be a good idea to 'cool it' and accept the fact that there are people like me around who really dont want to annoy anyone but want to get on with their hobby and only pastime and sometimes 'forgetfulness' can lead to annoyance with other enthusiasts is overlooked.
Look ups on other lists (London in particular) are tolerated and the list owner has recently made it quite clear that look ups are 'here to stay'.
Just had to get this off my old chest.
joboy

[RJ_Paton]

Looking at the posts on this subject I thought a little analysis of the submissions might be worthwhile.
There are 'pro's and con's which in my mind is very democratic.
This is what I have selected;

selective quoting especially out of the full context paints a false picture ..... and while everyone has their own viewpoint my own interpretation is that no one is actually complaining about doing the look ups.

"Look ups are here to stay" .... not if the providers are driven off by  the basic failure of good manners as demonstrated by some posters which is I believe the major irritant. 

[tabitha]

However the basic failure of good manners as demonstrated by some posters is I believe the major irritant 

That for me sums it up nicely Falkryn 

Tabitha 

[Lady constance]

Hello everybody,  

on a positive note i would like to thank each and everyone of you for your time, patience and skill, in helping people research their family history. you ARE fantastic.       i hope No one on this site takes that totally for granted. you have every right to be grumbly about things.

just a few comments though,  

 I would hope that the majority of people are thankful for all that you do.

 I would hope that most of us do try very hard not to be annoying.

 those that are probably don't know any better. i would agree that computer illiteracy probably has something to do with it.

 just remember that there are now 20000 people on rootschat. if each of those members has done just one thing that someone has found annoying - then thats alot of annoying.       unfortunately i don't see that stopping anytime soon.

I have no idea about how bad it is, i've been away from the family history scene for months. leaving it in the care of my younger sister. (another story). perhaps you can find some polite gentle way of letting people know that they are not making things as easy for lookerupers???

just to throw suggestions about, (i like positive resolutions, what can i say.) would it be possible to get a stand PM set up that a moderator can send to people that arn't being perfect??? just very politely (and i mean politely) saying:

"hi there, just a note to remind you about the best way to get a lookup. ...... our researchers need.... the best way to go about it is.... don't forget to..."

i know there is beginers board and all but thats alot of reading. and the introductory posts at the begining of the boards are good, but don't explain exactly what you are asking us for.


basically i'm not grumbly at all. Just saying that perhaps we could divert energy to finding a solution??? I don't know if you have tried to find a "standard" solution, and all my appologies if you have tried with no success.

anyway thats my 2 cents worth, and in summary.... thanks again to all of you, and perhaps Rootschat needs to find a simple / polite / effective way of making sure that all "annoyances" are reduced as much as possible.


sorry for such a long post. i hope something can be done...  

Kind Regards from a rootschatter scared of losing the kind researchers...

Constance

[Lady constance]

sorry forgot to say...

but when it comes down to it... repeated bad manners are bad manners...

that is terrible and i'm not surprised that you are all very irritated.

i alway hope that 100% of the time i say thankyou, but i'm sure nobody is perfect