This is an issue I've been thinking about for quite some time, but I got some more momentum about writing about it here after having read a recent thread (see in particular the final part of my reply there) also dealing, like this one, with quick feedback. So, as aware as I am of the potential risks about mentioning possible "improvements" to the current mechanisms, albeit on a purely hypothetical basis, I'm trying my hand now...

The point is really about whether to to thank or not to thank after having received useful help. Courtesy would suggest so, but replies to that effect most often just seem to "pollute" the thread they make their appearance in: when they're addressed at me, and it often happens with newbies, I just /msg them to the effect that they can /msg too. Personally I don't thank unless I have something more to add that may be relevant to the thread. In fact I even happen to downvote those kind of replies if I feel they just add to the noise/signal ratio of the thread: of course you will tell me that I can just leave them as they are - yet I have the tendency to put a vote on all the entries of a thread I read, a problem of mine, I know...

OTOH, the missing of a "thanks" reply may not only leave the person who supplied the helpful answer in a warnocked state, but all the others possibly stumbling upon it as well and what's worst, a /msg would too. So... I'm mumbling... there could be a special kind of mechanism just to "say thanks": e.g. the associated nodes should not be votable, have limited maximum size (just customizable enough to say "thanks, it worked" rather than "thanks, it gave me some clue") and be visually recognizable but unobtrusive in the context of a thread, perhaps even completely unvisible depending on a personal switch, or visible only if in reply to one's contribution, or...

Further brainstorming... perhaps this could blend nicely with the cool tags/keyword stuff about which discussions and rumors are increasing lately...

Update: mandatory (meta-?)thanks to all those who contributed to the thread! :-)

In reply to To thank or not to thank? by blazar

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