"No picy no clicky" Topic

What makes you click on a forum post link?

If the post states there are painted figures or a battle report by following the link I generally don't bother to click it unless there is a picture embedded in the post. The exception is if it is laser focused on one of my period interests, even at that I may not.

If you are putting pictures on a blog why not learn the forum code to show one?

I agree with you

Yep, exactly.

No info certainly doesn't help matters either.

If people are that lazy, then I'll match them, since I can't be bothered to put out any effort either.

I actually get kind of angry when I click on a post due to a title and then am given a written teaser and a link to a blog. It is kind of weird and probably says something about my personality, but I will deliberately not clink on blog links that anger me even a little bit.

This topic contains such a link TMP link and while it may have a wonderful example of a painted orc, and even several tips that would increase my painting skill, I will never know, as I am now to miffed to be bothered.

I largely agree with the above comments.

I mean, make the effort, folks!

John T

I don't have a blog, but I do have a YouTube channel for the videos of my battle reports. Would you not click my link because it's not a picture, even though a picture is not possible?

I always use my Flickr account for photos, and will post a link to it here when I have something to show or sell. Are you seriously saying a single click is too much effort?

I don't have a problem with it.

I'm interested in miniatures and miniature painting.
I'm likely to click a link about miniatures and miniature painting.

I'm interested in miniature battles and reports thereof.
I'm likely to click a link about miniature battles and reports thereof.

Pictorial content, or lack of it, in the linking post matters way less to me than the writing.
If your post recommending your blog isn't in coherent English, I'm not going to subject myself to a full article.

Have to agree with the above, at least insert a pic to entice me if you want me to visit your blog for more.

HangarFlying, do you have a link to your YouTube channel?

Yes couldn't be bothered if you couldn't be bothered to put just one pic of the topic. its not 'just' one click its about attitude, if your excited about your take on the hobby you'd give us that at least.

I actually don't like pictures in posts. One is alright as a trailer but some need to know when to stop. If you put your pictures up here because you don't have a blog then get a blog!

Well judging by the comments so far, I suspect my response might be seen as arrogant –

I am a guilty party. I do long and substantial posts and put a lot of effort in them, motivated by simply wanting to share. I then dash around a number of forums and leave a link (no pic) with enough information that the reader will know whether it is the sort of post they want to read.

here is an example of one my posts (note, no picture so some of you may not want to click), it is a very substantial post that compares 5 tactical WWII systems, it has been in my top five posts for over 18 months. Please just have a look, in no way can I be described as a lazy blogger simply because I do not put a picture up with a link

LINK – link

It has received 8138 hits, but sadly despite all the effort I put into it, Only 10 different people bothered to post a comment.

No – I don't like a post that says 'hey I've just updated my blog'. I agree, why should you click on that, but if the description is good enough, I just don't see why a photo is needed. It feels to me like some people need to be spoon-fed.

The wargame community can browse for a couple of hours a night, getting really good content that they would have to pay for it if it was in a magazine – yet there is little thanks or acknowledgment given to bloggers and then threads like this just makes the whole thing seem even more thankless. A better question to ask here would be why so many people who use blogs, lack the ability to acknowledge the work done ….. Even occasionally r even just out of courtesy. Rant off – sorry but this post has really got under my skin.

The whole internet is clicking on links. It does not bother me.And I link to my blog like most bloggers here. Vanity, wanting more hits than last month. Lots of reasons. Here is a link.

link

It has received 8138 hits, but sadly despite all the effort I put into it, Only 10 different people bothered to post a comment.

8138 plus one. :)

I've found it good practice to lead with a pic and it does generate a response. I say that as someone who blogs on fairly obscure wargames topics.

As for comments on the blog I consider them a bonus.

I agree with Norm about the quality of content there are some great blogs out there and it is free to the user.

Brian, thanks, I clicked on your link and am diving back now to read the post with coffee – thank you.

EDIT – enjoyed and posted a comment :-)

I've learned my lesson & whenever possible, I supply a picture with the link, because gamers tend to be a bit lazy. I also refrain from using big words… ;-p

I had a picture all ready to post with my WM add but the site would not allow me to post it. Agree generally with all the above. What I hate is to see a listing on the marketplace and when I click, it takes me to ebay.

Please post those clearly in auction heading as I don't ebay!

Rant off.

Tom

Norm,

Didn't mean to get under your skin, my apologies. I think you are an exception. Even though you didn't post a picture you provide some decent commentary. Enough so where I can make reasonable guess if it will be worth the time to look at your link. I guess I've been let down too many times.

Even better you could have included a teaser picture to get peoples attention, like this one.

Miniature war gaming is a visual thing for me as much as the gaming.

PrivateSnafu – that's OK, thanks for coming back on the point. I was probably too touchy.

yes I like that picture, it just needs a link :-)

LINK link

here is an example of one my posts (note, no picture so some of you may not want to click), it is a very substantial post that compares 5 tactical WWII systems, it has been in my top five posts for over 18 months. Please just have a look, in no way can I be described as a lazy blogger simply because I do not put a picture up with a link

LINK – link

That blog may contain the most thorough well thought out treatise on WWII gaming and it could possibly inspire me to cure both cancer and world hunger, but I am too lazy to click on your picture less link just to give you the social validation of a higher "hit" count.

This sounds like a First World problem.

WeeSparky, then you totally misunderstand my reason for blogging.

But if my hit count is an issue for you, then you may like to hit the below link, which is my paid for web site that is less article lead and just showcases various aspects of my hobby including free rules etc. You will be re-assured by its lack of a hit marker – I have no idea who looks at it or even if any one does.

It is themed around wargaming in small spaces.

COMMANDERS LINK – commanders.simdif.com

I set up the Commanders web site during a time when I was getting a bit disillusioned with blogging, to give me a creative writing space to 'retreat to' if and when I chose to stop blogging.

Doing that looks increasingly attractive and today leaves me questioning it less.

The one sidedness of this thread surprises me. I always thought of blogging as a sharing experience from which we mutually benefit. That is, I gain entertainment, inspiration and knowledge as a viewer of blogs, and try to give something back through my own blog.

I hadn't considered that posting a photo-less link to my blog was burdensome, or would cause angst. I offer my apologies, as I am the guilty party. I shall not repeat the offense.

In essence I agree with WeeSparky, although I do not require there to be a picture, there must be some kind of subject matter presented for me to read. Why should I have to go chasing after someones blog, I've already clicked on the TMP thread – why is the topic not here? I expect the subject to be present (at least in basic form) in the thread for me to read. Otherwise I feel like I've been treated to a "bait & switch". The blog boards are an exception to this of course.

If it is something I am interested I will look.

If it is borderline interest to me, probably not unless there is some eye candy in the ost to catch my attention.

I'm firmly in the camp of no picy no clicky, I know its a bit lazy and even shallow but if I already clicked once due to a title that sounded interesting there better be a pic if I'm expected to click again. I am not sure why but I have often ignored blogs due to this very fact I find it frustrating when there is no visual.

I am truly dismayed.

I find it difficult to reconcile the difference between the substantial amount of work that goes into a post and the apparent common reluctance to click on a picture less link. I had no idea until this thread that such a view prevailed, so live and learn as they say.

between this and the number of 'bot' visits I seem to get due postings about to my Tigers at Minsk rules (WWII tactical), I feel that my time would be better spent painting and gaming for myself and doing the odd article for magazines, for which I would at least get paid. Time for some serious reflection I think! .. on my part.

I am not making any further posts to the Battlefields and Warriors blog and have put a close-down notice over there. Link, for what it's worth ..

link

Sorry if it sounds like I have thrown my teddy out of the cot, but at the moment, I have a draft 2300 word article on an analysis of a Napoleonic wargame system, It is only part way through and a 2000 word draft article on the armour / gun performance rules for another system (WWII tactical) – it is against that sort of background that I feel that blogging for me has become something of a thankless task.

I hardly ever go to blogs, so this is not really an issue.

When you do, Why?

By chance, last night I received a really nice note from a gamer who found my blog in the last couple of days. He asked me about some of the things that I do in my campaign, and shared some ideas that he has. Gave me a couple of good ideas. Reminded me of why I started blogging in the first place. He is the reason I mention updates and post the link. I'm going to continue doing what I do, if you want to visit, or not, I'm good with that.

Most importantly, enjoy your hobby.

I am not very technical, so despite having been on TMP for years and actually having posted photos here, I really don't know how to post photos here without following the instructions, usually several times before success.

There are 10,000+ photos on my blog.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

If the topic interest me I'll take the link. If I get there and the blog doesn't grab me, what did is cost me, 30 seconds of my life? For all the fantastic blogs I've found and the terrific resources people share, I think the effort is worth it. I totally get it that others can't be bothered, that's cool, thats life.

I got to this thread after seeing a link on norm smith's blog – go figure!

(consciously not linking to my blog here)

Oddly enough, the links to my blog with embedded pics have "performed" significantly worse, pageview and comment-wise, than a quick paragraph write-up and a link.

Perhaps the silent majority on TMP just doesn't care.

Some, possibly even many, of the blogs I see links to are heavy on pictures and light on content. If all you want are pictures then use a site intended for that, not a blog. To me Blogs are more about the content (which may include illustrative material) not just some visual appeal.

I don't have a blog because I don't have the time to do one justice and I'm well aware of the tiny number of gamers who can be bothered to contribute significantly to those parts of the hobby that I'm interested in.

I'll admit to rarely leaving comments but more often because I have a minute to look and prefer to use that taking in the content. I don't spend hours a week browsing and, to be honest, find most blogs a complete waste of my time – this isn't a criticism of the blog or blogger, just that few blogs have anything of interest to me.

I try to post a picture. But I don't like to post too much in a TMP post because there's a 50% chance the site will crash when posting it. There are times I've spent longer trying to link a post to two boards on here than it took to write the actual post itself.

That's assuming the whole place isn't down for maintenance.

I'm always disappointed, pictures or no pictures, when I click through to a blog that claims to be about wargaming and discover that it is, in fact, about painting and modelling. Maybe that's a thread in its own right :)

Having given it a lot of consideration, I now let Tango do the posts here for me here, because if he thinks it's worth linking then it has got to be worth clicking on.

But I don't like to post too much in a TMP post because there's a 50% chance the site will crash when posting it. There are times I've spent longer trying to link a post to two boards on here than it took to write the actual post itself.

Exactly that !!
Other Forums, no Problem and I do exactly as the Topic asks, post a pic with a link but here it tends to Crash. The Little blue circle starts doing it΄s Thing, then after a Minute or so΄, up Comes the "locked run out of time error" whatever message. Take the pic URLs away and it Posts/cross Posts with no Problem.

Gotta agree, the site crashes more often than not, when trying to post.

Hi All, I do use TMP to entice people to my blog usually with a very brief description and a photo or two so people know what its about and are hopefully interested enough to look is this the sort of thing people like or is it annoying? Appreciate the feedback.

For me sharing my progress keeps me focused on the project in hand and it is the first attempt at blogging for me. Its not really about ego or hits although I am sure this plays its part.

Example below was part of a post with a game report for a Carlist Wars Game.

gapagnw.blogspot.co.uk

[URL=http://s574.photobucket.com/user/rogercas/media/alavese%20brigade_zpskst1xmgg.jpg.html]

[/URL]

I enjoyed looking around your blog, but as it gets bigger (or should I say older), it will be harder to find key subject matter. I would respectfully suggest that it would be worth adding a label to your posts and then a label index on the blog page.

Your basing is interesting, so it would be nice to see a basing label etc.

Thanks very norm, I have seen labels on other blogs and did think it might be an idea to add that, not sure how to do it yet but will have a word with the IT department (Daughter) and have a look at doing it. Appreciate the feedback.

At the point of publishing your post, you will see a line called labels, go into that, you can create a new label or use a label you have already used.

Sorry to see you close your blog Norm.

Me, I click or not depending on mood, and I leave comments or not on the same basis. I hadn't really ever thought about what the blogger was thinking or wanting ion return – I guess I was just cruising by in most cases.

I will try harder.

What I actually struggle with is remembering/finding the blogs I like. SO often I miss them for a year or more and then re-discover them. Lots of fun catching up with the developments…

OK Nom labels added. Hopefully its right.

Marc, thank you

Roger that's good, I will be able to track your basing posts.

Just a thought, but you may want to move your label gadget up to the top of the page and have it sit on one side or the other of the page, that would just save scrolling to the bottom. It seems a convention to have these things at the top of the page, visitors may not know to check the bottom of the page.

Thanks Norm, I did try that but it pushed the whoe blog out to one side. Mmm, will have a play. Still got some to label and the posts have gone missing in the set up behind the scenes. Call to the IT department again I think.

Having tried to run a website for some months as an alternative to the blog, I am finding it does not have the flexibility of the blog. I will fund the web site for another 12 months, but will also restart the blog. i will of course continue not to include pictures in forum posts, but will continue to put up sufficient formation that the browser will know whether to click or not.

The casualty for me however will be that I make less use of this site, spending more of my internet time in the blogosphere, which I find to be both creative and positive places. The advice that I have taken from here is just to blog for myself and that seems good advice to follow.