to expect people to read threads BEFORE they comment?

Really good idea! On my phone, my posts are all blue but not the op's subsequent one.

What is a quote facility Roses? I only use GN.

It would be easier if GNHQ made the original poster's following posts in a colour like they do/did? on Mumsnet, then you can scroll through and read any updates

I think Lona posted that a while back, but I've been reading through more recent posts and can't be sure.

However that's a REALLY GOOD idea GNHQ - could you get tech support out of the Broom Cupboard (or wherever they hide go for tea and cake) and set them this challenge? ??☺??

A good point Rinouchka about past history but an even better one about judging the required tone.

It would appear that common sense dictates kindness in a response to a sad or stressful post and that a humourous post will invite humourous responses.

However, past knowledge of a poster is not available to everyone. When I became active a short while ago, it just never dawned on me that there are cumulative "case histories" that older members are familiar with but are black holes to newer members. This would be parallel to friends who know eachother well and then new people join the circle who are not privy to past events.

Perhaps there should be a box or a reference to previous posts where there is a longstanding story....just so no one misunderstands.

Mawbroon has posted what I have been thinking but was wondering how to put it into words. The gransnetter she mentioned has posted a lot about her husband's and her own health problems over the last few years and a lot of us probably feel that we know her. So when she talks about the problems she has to deal with regarding her husband's illness it is like talking to old friends. She probably doesn't feel it is necessary to explain the nature of it every time.
Unfortunately newer members are not aware of this and some jump in with unkind and harsh comments.
I have felt for her many times when reading this, and have often thought of replying myself but only too often this would have ended in a slanging match

Which is why having a quote facility like most other forums would be a good thing.

Jayanna I agree, it's easy to offend someone that way and then involves lengthy explanations.

Not to mention crossed posts when you reply to someone who's moved six comments up and you end up looking like you're saying entirely the wrong thing to the latest poster.

If I'm in a hurry or about to go out I'll often put a short comment on like, 'I agree with .....' just so the thread will then appear on 'I'm on' when I return. It saves trawling through the 'Active' list and I then have time to read back through some (not all) of the posts to make sure I've got the gist.

Another problem has arisen for me, I have responded to an OP on a couple of threads only to find that they have added more information later which has made my comment inappropriate. I am a bit reluctant to make an early response now.

Perhaps Elrel copied and pasted something from elsewhere? I have been known to do that, and luckily see my error before I click send.

That thread is astoundingly bad.
To be fair, a lot of the posters who didnt read the thread are not regular posters I dont think. But even so..

Not sure there is any way around it. Dont think it will ever stop.

Cheer up kitty ?....and yes you are right, we should all check that we are not offering thoughless comments on a support thread.

Elrel wrong thread? possibly even wrong forum?

If you are on the site which is not the desktop site then I think the posts come up in blue.
However I prefer the desktop site.
I don't always read all the thread because my tablet is SO slow.

Elrel I have looked through the thread but you have lost me completely

Or was that the point?
Am I being slow this morning
(Don't comment)

Threads are like the people who post on them Rigby - full of opinions
It's what makes the world go round
Preventing opinions being aired is a dangerous step.

Stansgran, I hope I havent led you up the garden path but kittylester isn't my real name.

Good idea about ops subsequent posts being a colour Lona.

I don't mind threads moving on but I think baden makes a good point.

I'm really referring to personal/support threads not political ones.

Ah, all is clear now. A helpful friend has pointed me towards what I imagine has given rise to this plea. Apologies for not making the connection myself.
Luckygirl you have been very forbearing and restrained and you (and anyone else in a similar position) have my full sympathy.
I wonder if the flurry of "LTB", "give him one" posts or whatever might be largely to do with a bit of an influx from MN -some people see everything very much in black and white.
Anyway, I hope I can stop feeling guilty about something I didn't do but bear it in mind for the future too.

When I once started a thread telling of my cat being run over and killed that day, which only ran to about a page, someone who is no longer on GN posted simply 'No great loss, plenty more out there.' In fact it was in response to a comment about hitting a pigeon, but it really shocked me at first, and made me cry for the first time since the loss of the cat. It was obvious that she hadn't read the thread or even the OP!
I know it is difficult to read very long ones but, as my mother would have said, if in doubt say nowt.
I hope you haven't been hurt by a thoughtless comment Kitty

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I simply don't have time to read every single post if I'm interested in joining the conversation I'm afraid. The result is that I do occasionally get the wrong drift and end up looking a bit dim. But I don't really worry about it to be honest.

It will happen to us all at some time except those that have the time to read everything. It shouldn't inhibit us from posting - that's life.

Is this a thread about "etiquette" or a thread about a thread?
I am getting that guilty "well I don't think I have done anything wrong, but I will just search my conscience to double check" feeling.
I am sorry if somebody has been hurtful to you kittylester but general accusations (even if more than in sorrow than in anger,) tend to leave me with my head well down for the rest of the day.

What's even more astonishing is when someone comments on a thread and then says but of course I've never heard of what you're talking about and know nothing about it but here's my opinion which I have every right to hold ( or wirds to that effect). Then another poster is rightly critical of this stance, says so and is accused of being horrid and making people too frightened to post

It would be easier if GNHQ made the original poster's following posts in a colour like they do/did? on Mumsnet, then you can scroll through and read any updates.
I agree with Kitty though, it is frustrating when the original situation has changed and some posters carry on with pointless posts.

I had to look up RTFT!
Mumsnet again!