When to and When Not to Quote

[Triple Threat]

I think we can cut down on a lot of useless quoting and keep threads on track more efficiently if we choose wisely when or when not to quote an entire post.

1. Coping "Quotes" are not necessary if you are referring to the original post (post #1) in any given thread.

2. Copying Quotes are not necessary, if you're reply is in response to the very next post in a thread, for example you are responding to post #14 and you are post #15. I will typically use upward ^arrows^ if I'm making a comment to the above post and I really want to send a specific message, but in many cases I don't even do that.

3. If you're replying to multiple post, for example post #10, post #11 and post #19, and have separate comments for each post, then hit the small "multiple quote" icon located next to the "single quote" icon which are on the bottom right side of every post box.

4. If you must copy a post, try to only use the part of the quote you are responding to, if you can. I recall writing a 1,500 word instruction thread and someone quoted the entire post with a reply of "thanks" not necessary.

Here is an example of a quote I replied to today, it looked like this:

Originally Posted by usrodeo4

Talked to my service manager yesterday and he said if our bikes were affected BMW would contact us in writing. As of yesterday he said they had not been notified what the official position was and no vin # list had been communicated....so what the hell do we do? Mine is 15140 and was a Feb deliver so it is within your sequence of being recalled...I'm at 1,000 miles and so far runs perfect.

I only quoted this:

Originally Posted by usrodeo4

....so what the hell do we do? Mine is 15140 and was a Feb deliver so it is within your sequence of being recalled...I'm at 1,000 miles and so far runs perfect.

Because this was the portion I responded too.

Had it been in sequence, I wouldn't of needed the quote at all.

Hope this helps,

Triple

[LiterBoy]

All good hints, Triple. However, #2 doesn't always work, especially when thread action is hot and heavy, or you have a reply that takes a bit of time to type. If two or three replies are posted moments before yours, you can wind up with a disjointed discussion. A better option is similar to #4 where you include only the first few words of the post to which you are replying:

Originally Posted by Triple Threat

I think we can cut down on a lot of useless quoting...

Now there's no doubt about which post I'm referring to.

[LatinLiber]

5th post! Still waiting to post on others treats!

[YB No3]

this helped... thanks for the input...