1000 character limit on posts? New!

[Suzie]

I just tried posting a comment and got a message flash up that I'd exceeded the 1000 character limit.

This is something new!

I think it's a little tight - could it be upped to 1500? I'm not prone to posting long missives on here and every word of what I just wrote to someone in need of advice was important. IMHO 

Thanks, Powers That Be - You do a great job.

Suzie

[Rania]

I just discovered that too right now, and in the process of shorting things down, I lost my post.
Why this limit?

(Maybe it is explained somewhere on the board, I'll go look.)

[bloodless]

I like the idea. Long posts are to hard to read. I just skip them quite often. 1000 characters is a lot to me.

[DragonflyC]

Some have trouble with long posts, but the problem is not universal.

Also, some posts, such as Magistramarla's wonderful seminar notes and my recent notes (which I hope were helpful to some), need to be long.

I guess people with a lot to say can break their posts up by responding within their own threads.

I empathize with those negatively affected by long posts, but they aren't a problem for everyone.

[Kerrikins]

Wow, what happened to just skipping over what you don't like to read? I think 1000 is a bit short. Yes, 10,000 is a bit long (In my opinion) but there should be middle ground. With this 1000 limit you really have to choose your words or make multiple posts. Also many people prefer breaks in the writing for easier reading but if the 1000 includes spaces we may see less of that and things will be harder to read.

[Scottietottie]

Hi everyone 

This is being reviewed urgently!

Take care - Scottie 

[irish]

As you all know I am a little long on the "gab" and I have found that 1000 is a little short also. I could live with the 1500 or so or even the 2000. I think it would be nice to try out different amounts so we get a feel for it. It will take a while to learn how to cut our postings down, especially when we like to be a little silly.

The problem is that many words are needed. The other problem is that there is a fine line between posts that are well received by pretty much all people. We know that we don't have to read everyone's post or read all of a post. We all have a different tolerance when it comes to vision, etc.

Maybe the powers that be can sort of do different amounts and see what the feedback is. The main thing is to make sure to keep the paragraphs short. We all can get long winded at times. Irish

Is there such a thing as a word counter that we could see??

[bloodless]

Not a bad idea Irish. I don't mind skipping or skimming a post that looks too long.

[inga]

It's fine, most people get their point across.

[Carolina]

YAY!!!!

Elaine

[warmwaters]

A bit longer would be better, please, oh managers of the technology that runs this fine site.

1000 can be a bit short when dealing with something complicated.

While brevity is the soul of wit, sometimes real information takes a bit more.

Thanks!

[Livvie2]

I think putting a limit on how long or short a post can be is counterproductive to an "open forum."   Writing is therapeutic, aesthetic, educational, expressive and social.

This has been a wonderful board. I appreciate the helpful responses that I've received from other members, as well as the "search" function so I can look up information and learn more.  

Good writing comes from an open, relaxed and friendly environment, which this board has worked hard to create.
Occasionally (very rarely) someone has said something rude to another member.  That's inappropriate, but shortening the length of posts isn't going to improve someone's character.  (Also, internet writing involves instant publication. It's easy to misspeak or misread something.)
 
I like the suggestion about indenting paragraphs (or skipping lines) to  help readers.

Livvie2

[anita]

I say keep it here a while, then maybe take a poll in a week or two.

A word counter would be nice, but after a while I'm sure we'll all get use to what 1000 words looks like in text.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I just have word from the 'top' that the limit has been raised to 5000. 

Take care - Scottie 

[eyeamdry]

Let's see what happens.  I just saw this.  I, like Irish, tend to be wordy.  It will take a little time to see how we can write to the limit of the letters.  

If it's too low, then you may have people saying, oh heck, I'll just do multiple posts and end up writing a bunch on the same subject.

Or, some people might just skip writing at all if they don't think they can get it in 1,000.  So, let's wait a few and see.  I don't think it's a bad idea as of now and we know you're just trying to make things simple.  Thanks moderators, Lucy