Posted on 12/27/2004 9:42:14 AM PST by newheart
I am amazed at how often I see a reply to an otherwise interesting article that veritably screams, “Duplicate Post, you idiot!” pointedly implying—or sometimes even saying outright--that the poster has violated the most sacred trust not to duplicate posts. The tone of these reminders suggests that there may be no greater sin against common decency and the de facto protocols of the forum with the possible exception of failing to post a picture of Ann Coulter when she is mentioned on a thread. (I’m sure someone will be happy to oblige, even in this case.)
When I log on to FR, I seldom read beyond the 50 most recent posts in the News/Activism Threads. Perhaps that makes me a less than committed participant, but then I do have a life, kids, a job and a few other things with which to occupy myself if there is not much happening in the Free Republic universe. I refresh the screen often, so I do get to see more than 50, but I really don’t have time to go back to see all of the several hundred (or more) articles that are posted here daily.
Now I know that at times of high traffic, such as on the eve of a national election, there are good reasons for searching to see if an article has already been posted. And even I get annoyed at the fiftieth posting of ‘All your base are belong to us.’ But in general, on an average day, if it were not for the much-vilified duplicate postings, I would miss out on much of the interesting stuff that Free Republic has to offer. And although at certain times and doubtless for good reason, even the Admin folks will lock a thread because of its duplicative qualities, I don’t believe there is an absolute prohibition of duplicate posts in the FR posting guidelines.
To their credit the obsessively frustrated legalists among us do provide a very useful public service, which I hope will continue. They generally include a link to the original post along with their snide remarks. Often the original posting is where you can find the greatest level of discussion. Perhaps in the future, they could refrain from their condescension and simply note that there is more about the article in question at the included link. This could satisfy their intense longing to single-handedly keep the planets circulating in their proper orbits, while actually helping out those of us who wish to stay informed and follow the spirited discussions that FR has to offer.
Previously posted here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1309057/posts
We sure have a great group of wisenheimers around here, don't we? :)
I've seen this same kind of vanity posted many times before. Try a search sometime. ;-)
All your post are belong to us.
"In vanitas" should be "In Vanitate", insofar as "in" requires the ablative in this instance rather than the accusative.
I try to just say "duplicate post" and provide a link to the previous thread. I often find that FReepers' comments are more enlightening than the original articles, so I like having a link to others on the same topic.
Oh boy. This is going to be fun. I got popcorn, iced tea and my finger over the "refresh" button. :)
Yup ;0)
(Sorry, couldn't resist the temptation to be an "obsessively frustrated legalist" :*)
I would normally agree with you, but there is a protocol for using the correct title and to at least do a search before posting.
A lot of these duplicate posts are from different news sources, but they usually have the same source...AP..
By the way, you mentioned Coulter, and didn't post a pic. Forum Posting Violation... tsk tsk tsk.
It's the reasons you mention that cause me to be a reader and never an originating poster, unless I'm posting some silly vanity with a "caption this" type of thing.
Rules are rules. He mentioned Ann Coulter.
That was the problem. He should have been using the ablative following the preposition "in".
I've never been one to make those "snide remarks", but my time is limited also, and it really helps not to have to look at duplicate postings. Still, go ahead and post the thread twice! Nothing wrong with a sense of humour!
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