Why are more people not voting??

Question

This post is not directed to the many faithful participants who do post and vote on a regular basis.

Estoy muy confundida, y tengo que admitir que no tengo ninguna comprehensión de la gente. Cada vez que vengo a este sitio, veo que a veces 200 o 300 personas o más han visto un "post" o un hilo. Pero no toman el tiempo-es decir que no se molestan en votar por alguna respuesta u otra. ¿Hay alguien que pueda explicarme que estará ocurriendo en el "coco" de esa gente? De veras no comprendo. Estoy aturdida por el descuido y la falta de interés por parte de tantas personas. (Fin del rant.)

I am very confused and have to admit that I have no understanding of people. Each time that I come to this site, I see that at times 200 or 300 people have seen a post or a thread. But they do not take the time--that is they don't bother themselves to vote for any answer or other. Is there someone who can explain to me what must be going on the the head of these people. I truly do not understand. I am bewildered by the "not caring" and the lack of interest on the part of so many people. (End of rant.)

Attention people! (the hundreds of you that view these posts.)

Please vote!!!!

A vote, as I agree, but keep in mind views are often repetitive by the same user- I can't work on a thread without viewing it on average at least ten times. ;) - bosquederoble, May 25, 2016

Anyone who views my profile will realize I vote a lot, for a lot of things. :) - bosquederoble, May 25, 2016

Duh! Stupid me. I forgot all about that. But so far in just a few minutes this post has seen 42 views. And N O answers as yet, and only one vote. Yours. - Daniela2041, May 25, 2016

I did say in the first sentence in large letters that this post was not directed at those who are faithful participants and voters. - Daniela2041, May 25, 2016

I think there are very few regulars left, Dani. Newcomers don't vvoten not until they discover how the site works, which takes ages and needs people to welcome them etc. - annierats, May 25, 2016

Dani, it's because the site is dying.. Sorry to have to agree with Ian on this one. - annierats, May 25, 2016

But now you have a vote and 3 more comments so I hope you cheer up. - annierats, May 25, 2016

The site isn't dying. I don't agree. People come and people go. - rac1, May 25, 2016

I tried to join the site and start participating several months back but was told by one of your admins to stop asking so many dumb questions. The exact words were "If I had studied as much as I claimed" I wouldn't be asking questions. - Anon1234, May 26, 2016

After that I closed my account and only viewed questions when needed. I do not got to a Spanish question/answer site to be lectured on what questions I should and should not have. - Anon1234, May 26, 2016

Anon, please give us the name that you were using when you claim you were told this , it is too easy to make accusations that cannot be verified , we deserve an answer. - ray76, May 27, 2016

One thing is for sure there are some members who feel that no moderation or member profile is needed. Just like FB. - ian-hill, May 27, 2016

Answer 1

Here's what I think is happening:

To vote, you must be logged in. But if you're not logged in, you can still view any web page on spanishdict. The view count increases whether or not the viewer is logged in.

You can test this by logging out of spanishdict, then noting the view count of a question before you view it, then viewing the question, then going Back on your web browser, then refreshing the page. The view count will have increased by one.

I frequently view spanishdict web pages without logging in.

Sorry, it's too late for me to try to say all this in Spanish (a weak excuse, I admit).

I see you have been around since Dec. 2011. Why not stick around some and play the games and ask some question? :) (And get some votes) - Daniela2041, May 25, 2016

P. S. Your answer makes a lot of sense. I never knew that and I've been posting almost every day sincee Nov. of 2014. - Daniela2041, May 25, 2016

:) - rac1, May 25, 2016

Answer 2

A vote and an answer. If I post on a thread I vote for everyone else who posts. I used to not vote for those who had over 100K but decided that we all like knowing that our efforts have been viewed and appreciated. I was wondering the same thing and am glad you brought this up. I try to do both the Word of the Day and the Picture of the Day regularly. I don't understand why many times there are 7 or 8 answers and very few have that many votes.

There is one exception to my generous voting spirit. New members who do not put their gender and language levels in their profiles. I only vote if the question is exceptionally good and well written. I wish our friend bosque had filled in an answer box then I could have given him a vote.

It's late, I'm tire so goodnight all, sweet dreams.

You get my vote. :) - Daniela2041, May 25, 2016

And mine amigo. - ian-hill, May 25, 2016

Not mine because I don't see why people asking a question have to fill in information. Ok, we don't do homework, but I would never have stayed heer, had I had to fill in gender, and private information first time I discovered the site.. - annierats, May 25, 2016

Well surely you can see the reason why we ask them to do this, eh Annie? - rac1, May 25, 2016

Answer 3

En lo personal, creo que es muy exigente tu post. No todos tenemos tenemos los mismos intereses en las publicaciones que se hacen. De igual manera no todos tenemos la preparación para entender gramática, esto lo digo porque la mayoría de las publicaciones tienen que ver con gramática, y como mencioné, al menos yo no tengo ni la menor idea de las reglas gramaticales (reflexivo, subjuntivo, etc.),ya que no soy profesor o tutor de inglés/español.

Al menos yo he votado publicaciones y respuestas a las que YO puedo entender, pero NO puedo votar respuestas o publicaciones que no entiendo, eso es lo que tengo en mi "coco" por ahora.

In my personal opinion, I think your post is pretty demanding. Not everyone has interests in common with the posts made. In the same way not everyone has the preparation to understand grammar. I say that because most of the posts have to do with grammar, and as I said before, at least I don't have any idea about the grammar rules (reflexive, subjuntive, etc.), because I am not an English/Spanish teacher or tutor.

I have voted on some posts and answers because I can understand them, but I can't vote on answers and posts that I don't understand, and that is my humble opinion.

You are one of the voter. The post was directed toward those who look but N E V E R vote. - Daniela2041, May 25, 2016

I even voted for you although you disagreed with me. - Daniela2041, May 25, 2016

Using a vote as a sign or approval, appreciation or agreement (as you do) is very acceptable in my opinion. N O T voting E V E R is unacceptable. - Jubilado, May 25, 2016

I agree - 007e54d7, May 25, 2016

I also hesitate to vote if I am not sure that an answer is correct, but I do vote for native speakers who have done a complicated multiparagraph correction even though judging the quality of it is well beyond me. - bosquederoble, May 25, 2016

Voting is something that shouldn't be taken that seriously. We are here to learn. It's nice when you get votes, but it's far from what is really important. There are many, many times when no one votes for me and I'm ok with that. It's not why I'm here. - rac1, May 25, 2016

Maybe I should have said I hesitate to vote if the answer looks like it might be wrong- I do vote for a lot of things that I do not know to be correct, but look good to me. ;) - bosquederoble, Jun 2, 2016

Answer 4

Well, I do love this site. It has helped me immensely not only with my Spanish, but with interesting cultural things. Indeed, when I know (barely) enough to contribute, I do, and it helps me learn at the same time.

When I joined the site, I had been using it a couple of months before, not having joined, but just using it to compliment the audio course I was taking, checking a phrase, for example.

Then, as I saw how interesting it was, and I had more questions that couldn't be answered with the translator or a search of the threads, I signed up. I have enjoyed every minute of it, and I have met so many cyber friends.

All that said, I never really understood the idea behind the voting. I don't participate for the votes, I do so because I enjoy it. However, knowing that many here do like the voting, I do vote when I read or join a thread that interest me. I don't always vote, though, because I am always very busy between work and a difficult teenager.

Please don't take my lack of voting as any kind of statement about what I feel about this site. I love this site and I appreciate all of you on it. In the same vein, I wouldn't take too harsh of a view on those who don't often, or even ever vote.

I have voted for everyone on this thread, though. Can I have a heart Dani??? ;-_

A vote yes :) - ian-hill, May 25, 2016

The reason for the voting I think is to give some recognition and recompense for the effort on the part of those who take the time and trouble to answer. I love the "congrats" posts. ♥ - Daniela2041, May 25, 2016

Answer 5

No entiendo por que le dais tanta importancia al hecho de votar o no votar. Yo de verdad os digo ,que apenas le doy importancia a dar o recibir votos. Lo que si me puede llegar a molestar, es que ell que ha hecho la pregunta, no se digne en responder con un simple gracias, algo tan sencillo , de buena educación y que está al alcance de todos.

He visto ayudas muy elaboradas, y no estoy hablando de las que haya escrito yo; que han llevado mucho tiempo y esfuerzo en ser diseñadas y escritas, y que no han tenido como respuesta un simple gracias por parte de la persona que ha hecho la consulta.

Gracias por toda la ayuda recibida de todos vosotros

Tenéis mi voto

Hay un dicho en español que resume un poco lo que opino. " Ser agradecido es de bien nacido" I suppose that there will exist an equivalent one in English. - 000a35ff, May 25, 2016

De acuerdo, amigo. Quizá pondríamos la palabra "Thanks" o "Gracias" en vez de "Vote / Votar". - Jubilado, May 25, 2016

No sé si es dicho pero podemos bien decir en inglés: "Gratitude is a sign of good breeding." Yo mismo te agradezco con vota. - Jubilado, May 25, 2016

No es mala idea jubilado. gracias a ti. - 000a35ff, May 25, 2016

Es verdad, una vota no vale nada en la vida real. - annierats, May 25, 2016

Sí, las gracias siempre valen más que los votos. :) - bosquederoble, May 25, 2016

Answer 6

Hola Dani

May I suggest S A D L Y that SD is on its last legs?

I never vote for a thread if the poster has not bothered to complete at least part of their SD profile.

Some still seem to think the site is a translation service.

What SD needs is more interesting original threads.

Oh I hope that it's not on its last legs. That would be terrible! As for more interesting threads. I'll try to work on some. - Daniela2041, May 25, 2016

But as all newcomers are told that they must comply with gender , status , marital information, whatever, they take fright.. It's not exactly welcoming, like it used to be. - annierats, May 25, 2016

How can you post an interesting thread? First give gender, assess your own ability?? In the meantime you can ask several other sites.. - annierats, May 25, 2016

Other sites require much more than asking people to complete simple things, that Do matter, like what language they speak or gender. It's important because learning Spanish is what this site is all about. Why in the world would anyone Not want to let us - rac1, May 25, 2016

know these things. We are a Spanish/English learning site. Those things, gender and Spanish level or proficiency, are important when learning Spanish. - rac1, May 25, 2016

The site is dying but not due to the lack of interesting threads, its due to the arrogance of a small group of "oldtimers" who treat every new question as an annoyance and belittle those who don't ask questions in a format they deem smart enough. - Anon1234, May 26, 2016

Newbies are never ever told they " must " give martial status , in the old days our " Heidi " insisted on a full profile . All Midas and many members say " Welcome" to all newbies. You never do Annierats , - ray76, May 27, 2016

I meant ," all mods" . - ray76, May 27, 2016

annie does welcome with sympathetic posts. - Mardle, Jun 2, 2016

@ Anon1234...We do not belittle anyone on this site! We have rules and guidelines like any other learning site. That has nothing to do with "a format they (meaning the mods) deem smart enough. That's just really beyond me that you would come up with such - rac1, Jun 2, 2016

a remark! If you are not willing to follow these simple rules, which by the way, are from the owners of the site, then you have the option to leave. I don't appreciate your incorrect comments. - rac1, Jun 2, 2016

Answer 7

Para mí, los votos significan que alguien ha leído mi mensaje, y lo valora. No me importa el total en la columna de la reputación, sino cada voto individuo, si me gana 10 puntos o 0 puntos. También me gustan los comentarios y las gracias. Pero sé que a veces simplemente es más rápido votar que escribir algo.

Cuando trabajo duro para contestar una pregunta, y no recibo ningún voto, o sólo el que RAC siempre me da, no sé que ese esfuerzo haya ayudado a nadie. No asumo que los votos significa que estoy correcto en lo que he dicho a menos que veo que el voto vino de alguien como Julian o Luis, quienes a veces votan pero no dejan ningún comentario (Daniela siempre escribe algo también). Pero la página de la última actividad se cambio frecuentemente y no es siempre posible adivinar de quién el voto vino.

For me, the votes signify that someone has read my message, and appreciates it. The total in the reputation column is not what is important to me, rather each individual vote, whether it gets me 10 points or 0 points. I also like the comments and the thanks. But at times it is simply quicker to vote than to write something.

When I work hard to answer a question, and don't receive any votes, or only the one that RAC always gives me, I don't know if the effort has helped anyone. I don't assume that the votes mean that I am correct in what I have said unless I see that the vote came from someone like Julian or Luis, who sometimes vote but don't leave a comment (Daniel always writes something as well). But the latest activity page turns over frequently and it is not always possible to guess who the vote came from.

Also some participants work hard on their answers, such as you do, (Wow!) and a vote is like a slap on the back and someone saying, "Good Job!" Now if they started paying us money for our efforts, that would be great, too. :) - Daniela2041, May 27, 2016

Answer 8

My view is that if voting motivates O N E person to participate more frequently and thoughtfully and thereby improve their language learning, it's worth doing. Sure, the real goal is learning and helping others to learn but, for some, extrinsic reward is a strong motivator. I'd rather take the time to click a few times to show members that their contributions are appreciated than withhold that small effort. Besides, it's very possible to have a high level of intrinsic motivation and still enjoy seeing that your posts are appreciated by others.

I certainly don't expect every view to result in a vote, but I have noticed that votes are fewer and further between than they used to be. I'm not sure whether that's a reflection of the number of people active on the forum, lack of enthusiasm, or some other dynamic that's opaque to me. But I think it's not a bad idea to point it out and talk about it every once in a while, so thanks, Daniela, for this thread.

You're welcome - Daniela2041, May 27, 2016

I don't think you were here when Heidi, Laz and Pesta were here, but many, many times no one voted for them. It just wasn't that important back then and the site was flourishing. - rac1, Jun 2, 2016

Answer 9

Most people that use this site do not have profiles here- they only use the Translation and Conjugation sites. When they check out the Flashcards or Q&A section, they can't comment or earn points because they don't have profiles here. That is the main reason why there are so many views but no votes or comments.

Yes, I read answers and learned from things long before I ever joined- I didn't join until I thought I understood how things worked, and even then didn't do so well at the start. :) - bosquederoble, May 25, 2016

Answer 10

Well! I have gotten 9 answers and10 votes. I noticed that almost all of the answers were from people who DO participate, some regularly and some occasionally. Most of the answers were kind and informative. I also got several "headslaps" that hurt a little, but were informative.

As I stated in BIG LETTERS in my first sentence, this post was not directed at nor critical of anyone who is a participant on SD. It was directed at the "Lookie Lous" who don't bother to register and/or post anything, or vote. I was trying to incite some participation.

As I am writing this there have been 383 views!!! This tells me that SD is not on its deathbed as yet, --maybe a little sick, but not dead.

You have given your reasons and/or opinions as to why this is occurring. The reason I never imagined was the one given by mattb1of6. When I found this site, I couldn't wait to get registered and fill out my profile and become an eager participant. For this reason, what matt proposed was something that never would have occurred to me.

So thanks to all my friends and frenemies, all have been quite helpful in my coming to understand this problem. I, like just about all the regular participants, get a little lazy at times and am remiss in the matter of voting. Some answers I just plain don't like and will not vote in that case, but I do generally vote up everybody on the games when I play them, and most times even when I don't play them. I certainly vote for good answers on the grammar questions. In most cases these answers are so good that I can't find anything to add.

So, again, many thanks for your participation. (I'm not going to put all of this into Spanish. ¡Uf! ¡Mucho trabajo!

Abrazos,

Dani

I love the way you express yourself and make it easy for anyone to understand. You are a wonderful member and teacher here. We love and appreciate you. I just had to laugh when you said "Lookie Lous". lol Keep up the good work and thanks for the momentum. - rac1, May 25, 2016

We need a little shake up from time to time. jeje :)♥ - rac1, May 25, 2016

Answer 11

bump

Answer 12

Para los que beneficiarán de este información. Puedo verificar si alguien vota o no por mirar en el perfil. Los que tienen solamente 10 puntos de rep para ser votados arriba una respuesta y ningunos para votar arriba a otro participante no van a recibir ningún voto de mí. ¿Me explico?