by Jaye S.
Member since:
October 31, 2006

Unofficial Gather Etiquette

November 09, 2007 07:07 PM EST
views: 101 | comments: 57
What are some rules or suggestions for Gather etiquette?  For example, I read that a lot of people don't think you should send mass personal messages asking for your article to be read (this is just an example).  What would you suggest to someone new?
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Comments: 57

Birdee F. Nov 9, 2007, 7:09pm EST
When people do this I usually delete the message unless I like the topic. But I can see how it can get a lot of people to read your article too. ;o) I am some what new cause I have been here since August....
The Red Headed Witch of Gather G. Nov 9, 2007, 7:11pm EST
Don't start your annoying mass e-mail to read an article with "I don't usually do this but...."

The mass e-mails are annoying, it's even more annoying when you try to rectify it in some way.
Julia *loves my baby girl chloe* M. Nov 9, 2007, 7:12pm EST
i delete those messages I HATE THEM!!cant think of anything else!
I am glad everyone doesn't "mass email" or I'd have so much stuff, I wouldn't able to keep up.
I think the etiquette in this type of setting should be like anywhere else. For example, use constructive criticism instead of name calling, being rude, etc. It is okay to voice your opinion, but there are ways of doing so without being hurtful to another person.

One problem in particular that I would like to see everyone do is: If you are going to give someone a low rating on an article or image, take the time to put why in the comment section. You may be able to provide someone with pointers or advice they may not have considered.
Vivian P. Nov 9, 2007, 7:13pm EST
I always read them
Fran S. Nov 9, 2007, 7:13pm EST
i just don't have time to read all those kinds of messages that I get in a day.... unfortunately i probably delete some that I would have enjoyed, but if I can "discover" the posting on my own, I don't usually read it (except for the Ron & Buddi ones, those I look for!!)
☃ Aunt Shanny Nov 9, 2007, 7:15pm EST
Don't fail to comment on your own article that is written just for points.
Cynthia W. Nov 9, 2007, 7:16pm EST
I think it's nice to comment on other's articles and images that comment on your own. That way you're giving points back to someone who has given them to you.
☃ Aunt Shanny Nov 9, 2007, 7:17pm EST
Don't make fun of people that post games (or other articles deemed worthless) then post your own, thinking somehow that yours is different.
Michelle W. Nov 9, 2007, 7:17pm EST
Don't do immature drive by ratings. And don't get upset by those who do. Just take the points they give you for the low rating and keep on writing.
☃ Aunt Shanny Nov 9, 2007, 7:18pm EST
Don't pretend to be aware of the existence (and the contents therein) of super dooper secret groups.
Donna Besso Nov 9, 2007, 7:20pm EST
I connect and comment consistently. I wouldn't know how to do a mass email.
What I do, and advice the few others I know who have or are joining is...
Stay up with your connections,commenting on the articles and pictures that touch you in some way.
When someone comments on your article that is not in your connections, be sure and look that person up...and comment on one of their items.
Write and have fun.
Lori F. Nov 9, 2007, 7:33pm EST
How about those folks that can only see typos not content. Or the people that are so worried about the INTEGRITY of the articles on gather but never contribute anything beyond a bunch of whinning and complaining. I would suggest those folks look up the word INTERGRITY before they start throwing it around. My guess is they dont know what it means because they certainly dont have any. These are the same people that flag articles.
Lisa (I love loons) C. Nov 9, 2007, 7:49pm EST
I don't have any problem with people doing mass emails as I like to see what people have put up for me to read. Otherwise I might miss alot of really good stuff. I actually appreciate getting them. The few things that I don't like are drive by low ratings - for instance, if you have nothing nice to say in a rating, then don't rate at all, basically. I also don't go for name calling, rude people, or people who give threats. I don't care for the people who consistently point out typos, like they really matter anyway... and I really dislike the ones who are flagging articles for no good reason. Anyway, that's my 2 cents!
Chris E. Nov 9, 2007, 7:50pm EST
Being fairly new myself these comments are good advice that I will take. Thanks for posting the article Ja'Nelle.
August Lady Nov 9, 2007, 7:50pm EST
Looks like there's a majority concensus on this one!
Lisa (I love loons) C. Nov 9, 2007, 7:52pm EST
Just an add-on to above- I try to send new emailers a tip about mass emailing and that is to use the BCC feature so that people don't have to scroll through the whole list of your connections. Also, try to read your connections emails and articles when possible and look at their images. Also try to connect with new people and join groups that interest you.
Lisa (I love loons) C. Nov 9, 2007, 7:56pm EST
My biggest pet-peeve about gather is the one thing that happened to me recently and that is someone misrepresenting who they really are. Beware of people doing this.... It's easy to trust here on the internet and just always wear a little protective shield that is up around you.
☃ Aunt Shanny Nov 9, 2007, 7:58pm EST
Don't create another "post anything" group.
Jaye S. Nov 9, 2007, 8:01pm EST
You guys all make some really great points! I want to make sure I'm nolt "one of those people" lol
Jaye S. Nov 9, 2007, 8:01pm EST
I meant not...
Jaye S. Nov 9, 2007, 8:03pm EST
Renda, you aren't the first one that has said that about the ratings. I have been thinking that myself. I don't mind any ratings, but it's nice to know why.
Jaye S. Nov 9, 2007, 8:04pm EST
Fran, that happens to me too. Sometimes I have 30 messages and unless the title really grabs me, I usually don't read them. I will go under my connections content and read from there though.
Charlotte K. Nov 9, 2007, 8:04pm EST
Mass emailings...well..depending on the topic and who sent it depends on if I read it or not.
Jaye S. Nov 9, 2007, 8:05pm EST
Shannon, you made a lot of great points. I try to go back and comment on my articles (even if it wasn't posted solely for the points) but I usually try to go back and leave comments for those that did so for me.
Jaye S. Nov 9, 2007, 8:06pm EST
I agree Cynthia. I try my best to do that.
Kathy D. Nov 9, 2007, 8:19pm EST
I'm a big believer in comment reciprocation.
Jaye S. Nov 9, 2007, 8:38pm EST
You are definitely right Mari!
Jaye S. Nov 9, 2007, 8:40pm EST
Thank you everyone for your comments! As Kathy says, I am going to get back to my comment reciprocation. It may take me a day or two to get back to you on my slow days, but I will get back to you.

Hope everyone enjoys their night!
Elaine B. Nov 9, 2007, 8:57pm EST
I try to comment on mass e-mails as much as possible. But sometimes there's too many, and I can't get to all of them. Sometimes I have to delete. Yes, they do get annoying at times. But it's up to the individual.
Elaine M. Nov 9, 2007, 9:25pm EST
Mass emails are spam, in my view. I don't read them unless from a group to which I belong. Commenting on the people who comment on you is the way to go, unless you have so much time that you want to spend it praising the people who can't be bothered to look at your stuff.
Joe T. Nov 9, 2007, 9:28pm EST
I get too many emails to read every article but I try to read as many as I can. I'm sure that I disappoint some of my connections. It isn't because I want to but the other articles lead to other articles and ideas. The conversation is usually different for me each time, I'm here. I don't think that many people are reading my stuff anyway. But, I do try to get to my connections.
Hollie ~TNR Works~ Nov 9, 2007, 9:45pm EST
I get an email sent to my gmail account every time one of my connections posts a new article, image, video or makes a comment to my articles. Getting emails here too, is too much and annoying. I have sent ONE mass email and I felt so guilty that I vowed never to do it again. If someone sends me a mass email, not only do I delete it, I block them as well. Getting emails in one spot is enough, I don't need to get them in a second area as well.
Marianne R. Nov 9, 2007, 10:22pm EST
I am sick to death of the mass emails and have been blocking email from all regular offenders. So please, please do not start that habit :)
Erin P. Nov 10, 2007, 12:02am EST
I have to say that if you're going to give an article a low rating, and you're too chicken to add a comment that might make them feel bad (not everyone can take constructive criticism ... and not everyone gives criticism constructively, either), then send a private mail instead. Be courteous!
Nancy S. Nov 10, 2007, 12:31am EST
I think I agree with all the above. I've sent a couple private emails but never a mass email. I don't always make it but I try to comment on all my connections.
Col. George W. Nov 10, 2007, 1:07am EST
I appreciate all of these comments and thank you Ja'Nelle for bring the subject. I don't even know HOW to mass e-mail. I've always considered e-mail connections in a forum like this to be so you could say something private to an individual and not have every tom, dick, and samantha read it.

I get a lot of mass e-mail and delete most of them. There are not that many hours in a day and I do have a life other than on Gather. i.e. I take 10-15 surveys a day.
Terri H. Nov 10, 2007, 1:57am EST
I try to answer all of the comments I get.
Stacie N. Nov 10, 2007, 2:41am EST
The mass mail thing: I only check the link out if it looks interesting and it is a clickable link. No copy and paste for me. And, I hate the ones that say "I never do this" or "I swear I'll never do this again..."
Denise B. Nov 10, 2007, 10:19am EST
I tyr to comment on all the articles written by my connections
Elaine A. Nov 10, 2007, 3:31pm EST
I think everyone has the right ideas ;-)
Leslie "Missy" T. Nov 10, 2007, 3:43pm EST
I don't do the mass emails. I do get them however. I'll read the ones from my connections or if it catches my attention.
Alison Pearce Nov 10, 2007, 4:27pm EST
Mass email if you want, but don't get upset about nasty comments. It's just not worth it.
Jaye S. Nov 12, 2007, 10:20am EST
Thank you for posting Elaine B. and John.
Jaye S. Nov 12, 2007, 10:20am EST
Thanks you for your response Elaine M. It is worded so gracefully :)
Jaye S. Nov 12, 2007, 10:22am EST
Joe, Kathleen and Lyla, thank you for commenting. It can be very frustrating to put time and effort into reading and commenting on someone's work only for them not to reciprocate.
Jaye S. Nov 12, 2007, 10:23am EST
Marianne, I wouldn't dare. I love earning points, but I figure people will find my content and if they don't then so be it.
Jaye S. Nov 12, 2007, 10:23am EST
I agree Erin!
Jaye S. Nov 12, 2007, 10:25am EST
Nancy, Colonel George, Terri, Stacy, Denise, Elaine, Leslie and Alison, thank you for stopping by! I appreciate your wonderful comments!

A BIG THANKS to everyone for contributing. I really appreciate all of the input :)
Esaiah Udhayakumar Nov 12, 2007, 11:28pm EST
I agree with you!
sheila h. Nov 13, 2007, 5:19am EST
Hi,
It IS cold in PA!
I don't mind mailings...if I don't care for the content,i delete. But i will check.
Cristina S. Nov 16, 2007, 5:56am EST
Well, you got a good list of stuff to work with! Everyone makes good points here!
Curt L. Jan 11, 2008, 5:59pm EST
Good article! Thank you! 10!
Ellen B. Mar 13, 2008, 4:54pm EDT
very good article, and comments; a lot of good suggestions. I'm guessing that people who send the mass e mails may just want to get as many comments on their articles as they can, but I don't see why its necessary if youre connected with someone; they'll see your article on their page. I've sent out one mass e mail since I've been here, and that was to point out one of my friend's articles. ( they didn't ask me to) As far as someone not reciporcating when you comment on their stuff, I have found myself bewildered by this at times as well; but then I figured maybe there were other factors playing into that- and stopped letting it upset me. Someone may have a lot more connections that I do, so its hard to keep up; or maybe they don't like what I write- so they don't want to say it and be hurtful since I've commented on their stuff?

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