Is it ok to remind positive comment posters that they may have forgot to rec the OP?

[JoeOtterbein]

I see it happen way too often. I wonder if they are afraid to rec for some reason. Any thoughts on the possible reasons?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Some of us simply don't rec.

Just like I never "like" on Facebook.

[JoeOtterbein]

4. Why? I have a loved FB friend never does, even when she comments her love?

After all, they are free to do. Thanks! And I'm still wondering.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

22. Because I don't find it necessary to do so.

I do make many of my opinions well known, more so here than on FB. Here I'm with a generally like-minded group. And even though "like" seems pretty innocuous, I simply don't do it.

[JoeOtterbein]

24. Thanks!

I encourage everyone to post! Early and often!

[Ptah]

2. How many recs per day should I do?

[Dr Hobbitstein]

3. 5 at least if you want to earn your loyalty badge. nt

[Ptah]

5. Oh jeez, I'm way behind.

[JoeOtterbein]

7. I think whenever you think it is a positive post.

After all, it's free! The best deal ever!

[Ptah]

8. That means mindless recs rather than engaging, which is free.

[JoeOtterbein]

9. What if they agree, but don't have the time?

And why be stingy giving out a positive free rec?

I just don't get it. Also thanks for answering.

[Ptah]

10. People are different than you.

[JoeOtterbein]

12. That sounds good. But there must be an underlying reason.

Any guesses?

[Ptah]

13. People are different than you.

That means they view recommendations differently than you.

Why is this so hard?

[JoeOtterbein]

15. Maybe cause I'm not as smart as you?

If I knew all the answers, I'd have no questions.

[Ptah]

16. Fifty recommendations in a day is excessive.

[JoeOtterbein]

18. Why? I like to encourage peeps who I agree with to keep posting.

What's wrong with 51?

[Ptah]

21. I recommended this thread twice.

[JoeOtterbein]

25. LOL! Thanks!

To both of you!

[Ptah]

35. Not a problem

[spooky3]

6. People who rec are not anonymous. Maybe some

People do not want to reveal that they rec’d an OP.

[JoeOtterbein]

11. Are you saying they are afraid of someone knowing who they are and what they think?

Thanks for the answer, but I really do not understand. I'm as transparent as can be about myself and I live in a RWNJ county. I could care less what anyone thinks about me, or what I think.

[spooky3]

14. I think Ptah's post above applies here too. Nt

[JoeOtterbein]

17. To be honest, I would much rather have your own opinion.

No offense to Ptah's, but I'm sure there must be a reason. Any ideas?

[spooky3]

19. I gave you a possible explanation, but you rejected it

because you didn’t think it applied to you. OK, but not everyone thinks the way you do.

[JoeOtterbein]

20. I know what I think. That's easy. I'm wondering because rec are easier than commenting.

So your answer is not enough for me. Sorry!

[Lefta Dissenter]

23. Hmmmm

Just because I think a recipe looks good or a dog story brought me to tears again doesn’t necessarily mean I think all of DU needs to read the thread. I can just make my comments and move on.

Why does it matter?

[JoeOtterbein]

26. Because I don't know!

Thanks for a clue!

[tblue37]

27. Or people rec but don't kick or comment, so the thread sinks. nt

[JoeOtterbein]

28. Why does it sink? I'm trying understand why rec's are so considered more "valuable" than comments ?

Is it an alogram computer thing or something?

Does a rec have more value than a comment?

[tblue37]

29. A comment kicks a thread to the top of the list. A rec does not, though enough recs wlll

get it into the "Greatest" page. But without kicks or comments, a thread will eventually fall off the first page.

[JoeOtterbein]

31. Thanks!

Sounds likely. Clearest answer yet. But to be honest it makes me sad to think it is most likely true.

[2_heal_my_country]

38. What is a kick?

Thank you

[tblue37]

39. Every time someone comments on a thread, that kicks the thread to the top of that forum's page.

Often people will simply post "Kick" to move the thread to the top position so it will be seen by more people. Or they will post "K&R"--kick and recommend--after clicking the "recommend" button, which will also help visibility, since 5 or more recs will put it on the greatest page, and the more recs means the higher up on the greatest page.

[2_heal_my_country]

40. Thank you

[tblue37]

30. My post indicates that a comment is at least as valuable as a rec--perhaps even more so since

it will enable more people to see the thread.

[JoeOtterbein]

32. Thanks again!

But I was just thinking. If I post answers to commenters on my own OP, I'll more likely get myself to a greatest page post?

(with an innocent wink, wink!)

[tblue37]

43. Not directly. Commenting on your own thread will push it to the top of the page, but it won't help

it onto the greatest page unless by moving to the top of the page it ends up with more readers who like it well enough to give it a rec, because only the number of recs determines whether it gets to the greatest page--and what position it will have on the greatest page.

[tblue37]

42. It's automatic. New threads start at the top of the page, and then gradually (or quickly on a busy

day) sink as more new threads are posted. But if someone posts a new comment on an older thread, that new comment kicks the older thread back to the top, where more readers can see it and perhaps even give it more comments (kicks) and/or recs.

Recs are not more valuable than kicks, except in the sense that they are like applause, so they can be gratifying. Also recs can add up to get the thread onto the greatest page, where more people can see it (and maybe kick and rec it).

Many people read only or mostly, or at first, the greatest page, so getting onto the greatest page helps garner more readers. Five recs is the minimum for the greatest page.

Also, the more recs you get, the higher the thread goes on the greatest page, and the closer it is to the top, the more reads it will be likely to get.

Most people don't bother to read past the first page of a forum, so once it falls off the first page, a thread isn't likely to get any more reads. In fact, most people don't scroll all the way down the first page of a forum, so even sinking down to the lower part of the first page will usually finish off a thread.

[Skittles]

34. I really think a rec should be a default kick

yes

[tblue37]

44. Yes--but, Skittles, you are the dean of kicks, as long as someone's recalcitrant ass

is involved.

[Ptah]

45. +1

[Skittles]

46. yes INDEED

[Skittles]

41. I think a REC should be an automatic kick

yes indeed

[sharedvalues]

33. K&R

[cwydro]

36. I think if someone "reminded" me to make a rec, it would have the opposite effect.

That’s just me.

[Phentex]

37. They aren't related at all...

Sometimes I rec because I like the thread or feel it's important or I think it's funny. I don't necessarily comment or kick. And sometimes I comment or kick but don't rec although I suspect many people have already done so in those cases Recs aren't gold stars. They are nice but they don't mean as much as some people think.