Now this was a good read!! Thanks Tim (times three) for bringing this up.

You've made a heck of a lot of good points throughout this thread, as has everyone.

But I don't think there is a sure way to deal with it as some folks have mentioned, EF is constantly evolving.

I know I am guilty of reading the main page and just skipping over a lot of the new threads that look obvious of "which do you like better" just because I'd rather spend my time reading posts like this, or posts that make me think and have to prepare a response. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I will reply to those threads, just not often.

Yes, this does kind of make me a "forum snob" I know.

But my brain is fried and I think I need some sleep!!! I'll be back to finish this thought!!!

Awe, I missed a good conversation. Thank you Tim for posting this. I agree completely with you.

I have seen some comments on the threads where I can see how the OP could easily be scared right off. I know I have been guilty of making comments and not all of them in a positive and welcoming way. (I know you weren't pointing fingers at me, but I'll point them at myself.) Honestly, lately I have been avoiding the forums. Every time I go there to comment, I can't seem to find a thread that can't be answered within the first few posters.

I wish that the topics for the forum would go to an editor, so they could be researched. If the question was found then it wouldn't be posted, but the editor could tell the OP here is the links to the topics. And if the question could be answered easily... like how do a post a poll...then the editor could handle that as well. An editor could make sure it is being placed properly and everything. I really think that needs to be set up.

If I could love this post, I would. 40 times over.
Thank you for posting this.

I completely agree. One of my first posts was welcomed with a comment similar to: "We already talked about this. Do a search next time." Fortunately, I have a pretty thick backbone and it didn't push me away but I can imagine it would've done that for others.

Bravo Tim.

I started reviewing here 5 years ago and have seen a ton of changes some for the better and some for the worse. When I started, there were just a handful of reviewers, most of whom are gone now. I think many of them got frustrated because of what fruatrates me as well. This program can sometimes be a bit of a popularity contest, unfortunately. I love this community but when people like Lori can't vote or comment honestly for fear of retribution, that's a big problem.

Okay, now that I've responded to various posts in this thread, I'll respond to the main one lol..

Tim, I agree completely with you. I'll admit, sometimes I'll say "there are some reviews on the product which give great information on *such and such*". That's usually when I can't give my own opinion though because I don't own or have tried the product. I never reply with the intention to not be welcoming. I usually try and be super nice. I hope no one has ever taken my comments in a mean way.

If I think a post is point-farmy, then I usually just don't reply at all and skip it.

I don't want people to get upset by me saying this but I think that there are just as many complaint threads as there are "point-farmy" threads and like you said Tim, how do we even know they are trying to point-farm? Maybe they're just new and don't know there way around yet, etc. A lot of members are saying that they don't visit the forums as often anymore because of all the "spammy" threads or whatever. Honestly though, I've been coming here less (on the forums) because there seems like an over abundance of bitching, complaining, whining threads. That to me is unwelcoming and negative and it's annoying to see thread after thread being about how people don't like how people set lures, don't like how people say "thank you" on their reviews instead of long paragraphed comments, don't like pictures in reviews, blah blah blah.

I know I probably sound jerky, and I hope no one hates me now because of this but I'm sure there are a few others who feel the same. I can't be the only one!