Thread Starters: Why So Few Polls? (Not A Poll)

[Jingthing]

This is directed to people who otherwise start threads. If you don't start threads, the questions don't really apply.

I can't help noticing there that there aren't many user generated POLLS here, except for those I have been doing.

Why is that? Do you not know how to use the poll creating tools? Are you afraid of the dreaded poll critics?

Clearly not all topics work well with polls. But some do. More I think than are created.

So I'm asking.

[soi41]

If you create a thread interesting enough, it will create its own life, poll or not!

But to keep it in the spirit of the OP:

1. Most posters here don't give a rats arse, about other members opinion.

2. See above

3. See above

4. See above

[bigbamboo]

It seems most people here think polls (sic!) are for dancers.

[Jingthing]

If you are new at poll starting and want to give it a go, I suggest doing a ONE QUESTION poll. Multiple question polls can be tricky because people have to vote in all questions to record their vote at all. So you have to design them in such a way so that makes sense.

Also for newbies, you can EDIT your poll structure (during the editing time limits) just like any post except you have to click on Manage Topic Poll. This is very useful sometimes indeed. You also click on Manage Topic Poll to create the poll in the first place.

Edited May 13, 2013 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

If you create a thread interesting enough, it will create its own life, poll or not!

But to keep it in the spirit of the OP:

1. Most posters here don't give a rats arse, about other members opinion.

2. See above

3. See above

4. See above

Sounds like you are talking about the potential audience for polls. That's not what I asked. I asked why regular thread creators don't create them. I have found some polls resonate strongly, some moderately, and some not at all. Just like any other thread. OK, it's kind of a bells and whistle for a thread but it is not apt for all topics, that's for sure.

Here's an example. A long time ago I did a poll about attraction to ladyboys. The response was massive. I don't believe that thread would have been nearly the hit without the additional information the poll RESULTS provided people to talk about. An example of a poll that self generates new interest.

Edited May 13, 2013 by Jingthing

[sustento]

Polls are for marketing - threads are for conversations...

[Jingthing]

Polls are for marketing - threads are for conversations...

That is simply not true. Polls are used for marketing. Yes. That is one thing out of many things that polls are used for in this big old world of ours.

I don't think I've rooted out the real reasons people are shy about starting polls as yet.

[sustento]

The real reason is because they don't want to. Not complicated - simples.

[Jingthing]

The real reason is because they don't want to. Not complicated - simples.

How do you know that? Are you every thread starter that doesn't start polls?

[smokie36]

The polls are rigged.

[Jingthing]

The polls are rigged.

You mean your polls I think. Not mine!

[MAJIC]

The polls are rigged.

You mean your polls I think. Not mine!

Polls seem to attract more than enough pedantics,looking for a flaw in the design of the Poll,and then they argue and argue trying to prove something, which was probably not there in the first place.

[smokie36]

The polls are rigged.

You mean your polls I think. Not mine!

No solidarity amongst pollsters then JT?

OK....I am gonna claim my last poll was rigged by "unknown parties".

[Jingthing]

The polls are rigged.

You mean your polls I think. Not mine!

Polls seem to attract more than enough pedantics,looking for a flaw in the design of the Poll,and then they argue and argue trying to prove something, which was probably not there in the first place.

That is very true. People reading my poll threads can often see that. I wonder if others who might be interested in starting a poll are discouraged by that silly and predictable game. Starting any thread can invite some abuse. Starting poll threads ... more risk of that for sure.

Edited May 13, 2013 by Jingthing

[smokie36]

ThaiVisa allows groups of ten people to congregate.

That's more than the UK government allows.

[MAJIC]

The polls are rigged.

You mean your polls I think. Not mine!

Polls seem to attract more than enough pedantics,looking for a flaw in the design of the Poll,and then they argue and argue trying to prove something, which was probably not there in the first place.

That is very true. People reading my poll threads can often see that. I wonder if others who might be interested in starting a poll are discouraged by that silly and predictable game. Starting any thread can invite some abuse. Starting poll threads ... more risk of that for sure.

This might call for another Poll : Why do Poll Nit Pickers Rarely If Ever, Start One Themselves?

[sustento]

The real reason is because they don't want to. Not complicated - simples.

How do you know that? Are you every thread starter that doesn't start polls?

Because if they wanted to they would.

[Jingthing]

What would people think about a rule prohibiting excessive nitpicking about the STRUCTURE of any poll? I wouldn't expect it but I would welcome it. Would that encourage more people to start polls? I don't know.

Edited May 13, 2013 by Jingthing

[BookMan]

What is the most votes you have had in one of your polls JT?

[OldChinaHam]

As you yourself pointed out in one of your posts, correctly, having a poll about who might like to retire to Chiang Mai is boring and pointless because it matters to no one of interest. I would not care to associate with someone who finds such a poll interesting after the same and similar polls had been polled a number of times.

What I might find interesting is a poll asking questions such as "How many of those who plan to retire in Chiang Mai routinely watch free university lectures from MIT, or Yale's free course offerings, as an alternative to watching cable television?", because I would doubt there is good television programming in Chiang Mai, and so one must be prepared with an alternative.

When the topic or thread is not sufficiently challenging or intellectually stimulating, then it should be obvious the community response will be 95% inane, and then we all begin to look like trolls, which I know is not the case, in my case.

So if you are asking me a serious question, then I will provide a serious answer.

Ask a dumb question, then one just assumes the poser is expecting many dumb replies.

I happened to watch the Bill Gates interview by CBS yesterday, of course not on my television, which is full of snow. I was intrigued to learn that this guy has a collection of DVD university lectures on random subjects which he enjoys watching, and that he likes reading about fertilizer.

I, too, much enjoy watching MIT, Yale, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, lectures as a replacement for television programming when I get tired of reading news about China.

I, unlike Gates, find that reading about fertilizer, other than some of what I read on TV, does not stimulate me.

I like some of the threads you post.

But not so much the one about fertilizer, which I know you did not start.

[OldChinaHam]

"Starting any thread can invite some abuse."

Sorry, I had not heard of that.

Please, go on.

[StreetCowboy]

 

The polls are rigged.

You mean your polls I think. Not mine!

Polls seem to attract more than enough pedantics,looking for a flaw in the design of the Poll,and then they argue and argue trying to prove something, which was probably not there in the first place.

 

I couldn't stand the scrutiny from the Election Committee.

Anyway, quantification never works.

Far better to gather feedback, and then decide on a consensus

SC

[OldChinaHam]

Why don't you start a poll of who prefers "pedantics"

And who prefers "pedants"?

Edited May 14, 2013 by OldChinaHam

[Jingthing]

Why don't you start a poll of who prefers "pedantics"

And who prefers "pedants"?

You got me there. There is no plural of pedantic, correct?

[OldChinaHam]

Don't ask me.

Let's Poll It!!!

[Jingthing]

Don't ask me.

Let's Poll It!!!

Pedant and Pedantic are different words. No need for a poll. Time for some pork, mate.

As I've been saying, not all topics are suitable for polls. Or threads. Or posts even!

I will now make a special offer to FIRST TIME POLL people only.

(For Poll Virgins Only)

If you've got a poll idea, feel welcome to PM me with the proposed question and answers. I will then provide feedback about the structure of the poll, which you can take or leave. Of course, no matter how wonderfully you have designed your poll, you will still get the posters who attack polls just for blood sport, that cannot be helped.

I don't expect anyone to take me up on this offer. If a few people do, great! If a torrent of people do, I'll have to reconsider. I may not have a life but there are limits.

If you send me obvious troll poll ideas, don't expect any response.

The option of Null Vote / Grumpy Expat Option is kind of my signature. You can use it but that wouldn't be very original.

Edited May 14, 2013 by Jingthing

[itchybum]

Do you need more than one answer in the poll?

Also, how graphic can you be in the gay section for asking questions?

[OldChinaHam]

Thank you Jingthing, but I am already porky and quirky enough to indulge in more pork.

Still, I will look forward to taking you up on your offer. My only request is that you keep my name out of this if my poll question is actually selected.

I promise I will not ask again about the "pedantics/pedant" question, although, I think if you take a poll, you will find that this word is being misused, if not "abused" in the comments above.

I do like your posts and find them, without sounding pandering, interesting.

Again,

Thank you.

I just hope that you also find that pollster, I mean the king of all pollsters, interesting during election time in the US. That guy gets it right every time. Isn't he connected with the Washington Post or is it another rag? I know he has in recent years started his own blog. Maybe I can contact him and ask him to design a few polls for us, too.

Time for some HongShaoTiPang, I guess.

Edited May 14, 2013 by OldChinaHam

[Jingthing]

To be clear. I am offering feedback by PM on proposed poll structure for POLL VIRGINS only. Then you post the poll however you like, incorporating the feedback or not as you wish. I will have NOTHING to do with posting poll ideas of other people.

Edited May 14, 2013 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

What is the most votes you have had in one of your polls JT?

I really don't know. Lots?