Haha.!! I have a frustration with CC that is entirely my fault. I have been on for almost 7 years but only have less than 2400 posts. I am often off CC for days or even weeks.
Here is my frustration. By the time I get to a thread of interest, it is already so long that mostly what I want to contribute has already been said or there is some kind of on-going discussion between regulars or the discussion has completely changed onto something different. So I either have nothing new to add or have to join a discussion I have not been a part of.
The only thing I can do besides being on-line and commenting more often, is to start my own threads about things I want to discuss. So if anyone thinks I am starting a lot of threads, that is why. It usually happens on the weekends when I can relax with a glass of wine. LoL
So how often do you indulge in your CC habit? And how often do you start CC threads?
I have been on a lot lately because I have a daughter in the application process. I too have been on for a long time, but the number of my posts doesn’t really reflect that. I have also had long lapses of not logging on, and probably will again once my work picks up
First of all, don’t see it as a contest of who has the most threads or posts! If your method of coming on only during the weekends with your glass of wine works for you, that’s fine and probably healthy! Is there a reason you don’t log on more often??
I’m in the position to be near a computer most of the day at work and then laptop or iPad when I’m home relaxing. I tend to pop in for short periods a few times a day. I have other sites I also frequent regularly so I sweep all those sites quickly and somewhat efficiently. I don’t tend to log on read for an hour or longer or anything like that.
Regarding threads, I don’t sit around trying to think of threads to start. I just start one when I have a question or would like opinions on a topic. When it just feels right to start a thread.
I think if I only popped in a couple times a week I wouldn’t be so attached. (but maybe that would be a GOOD thing!!)
Though I have a HS senior I tend to spend almost all my time exclusively in the parent cafe.
I am a retired educator, elementary school teacher and college financial aid, whose only kid is in graduate school. I miss my kid who is on the other side of the country in a seven day a week program that leaves him little time for long conversations, especially with a three hour time difference. Checking in with CC during breaks in housework etc., is a weak connection to him and keeps me up to date on issues in my world. I don’t contribute much on here but I read a lot and when I do contribute, it is in the cafe. Luckily, there is no count of the hours spent online or you would all know how much time I waste.
I wax and wane with how much I’m on. But since I work in front ofa computer a lot lately, CC is one of my “I need a break” diversions. I can usually catch a thread early on that interests me, but once in a while I don’t read one at first, or don’t follow for a while, and then, as you say, the conversation has moved on and I can’t then really join in meaningfully. I have been known, though, to read 10 or more back pages of a thread if for some reason I do want to post, or if the last page’s comments so intrigue me I need to know what was previously written.
There certainly isn’t one “right way” to do CC. My kids are out of school, so I mostly hang in the Parents Cafe. There’s a lot of smart people there, talking about interesting things. I don’t start threads too often (though over the years they’ve added up.) I have a tons of posts, but I have been on CC for a long, looooonnng time.
I know what you mean, OP. Either I’m on too much and feel unproductive as a result, or if I only come on sporadically, then the interesting threads are either locked by the time I get to them, or have morphed into a somewhat off-topic discussion that I cannot contribute to.
I’m on a few times a day and sometimes more depending if there is a particularly popcorny thread. I have no idea how many posts I even have or anyone else, either. I often check out of a thread after it becomes too long and it’s the same points being rehashed to death.
I have been on since Fall 2010 and have started 20 threads. No idea if that is a lot or little.
You should always feel free to say what you feel you need/want to say. If the thread is long, maybe you say, “I know this thread is long but I want to say …” or the equivalent. There’s no reason to be quiet. It’s the internet. And many times when a thread has wandered, it’s good to have a comment that isn’t part of that path. People will read it even if they don’t then add to or contradict what you’ve said.
I notice that I tend to post much more when I’m sick. Apparently, I’m a big baby who needs something to keep my mind off of my current case of sniffles. Did I mention that I’m thoroughly sick of NYS and its endless winter?
I been on since 2010 and check CC 2-3 times per day. I have dropped down to just 2 forums - Parent Cafe and the one for S2’s school. One day I will go back to the beginning and read the first hundred pages of the retirement thread.
I have accidentally posted on threads that I never meant to access . I don’t know if it is because of my refusal to get used to my new glasses ( also do a lot of typos )
I am unbookmarking some of the admissions threads because the updates are slowing down my access to the entire site
Emilybee- why is it you have “no idea how many posts I even have” when the number of posts is listed below your name ( and everyone else) on every post you make? Yet you know how many threads you have started. I have no idea about that number. I guess it is available somewhere, as you know what it is. Just curious.
