I have a question about the custom on DU of writing "K&R" or "kicked and recommended"

[Nitram]

in the subject line of a comment on a post. My assumption is that clicking on the "rec" button is a recommendation, and writing a comment is a "kick", and that these two acts help put a post on the home page and keep it there. Does writing "k&r" have any additional effect on putting a post before the membership? Isn't it actually more meaningful to click the "rec" button and write an actual comment about the post than to write "K&R"? Just asking.

[hlthe2b]

1. Especially in General Discussion where posts move off page quickly, DUers typically do two things

to give an important thread more attention. With five recs minimum, it ends up on the "GREATEST" page and many posters go there first. But, it still drops off the General Discussion page if there are not posts. So, by posting K&R it kicks back up to the top of GD at least for a short time.

[Nitram]

2. Wouldn't writing a meaningful comment have the same effect as writing K&R?

Or is it only by writing K&R it can get to the top of GD?

[hlthe2b]

3. No.. both do the same. K&R is a quick method to accomplish when you don't want to

say more than you appreciate and agree with the post and its importance.

[Nitram]

4. If writing "K&R is just a shortcut, I feel it would make a great deal more sense to take the time to

craft a relevant comment that actually furthers the discussion. I'm imagine that was the original purpose of the mechanism, to encourage discussion and make posts more visible when they sparked more meaningful discussion. IMHO

[hlthe2b]

5. LOL... Good luck convincing others of that but I would agree. My pet peeve is those who post

threads with no comment.. only a link.


Or those who post a embedded video with nary a single comment as to what it represents or why they posted it.

[Nitram]

7. I agree. If you don't have the time or energy to post a summary or some choice excerpts,

you shouldn't be posting. Maybe some people play it like it's a game.

[hlthe2b]

12. I think it is the Twitter effect. And yes, it is distressing that more and more consider that

a "conversation", and "meaningful discussion."

[JustAnotherGen]

9. I don't always have that kind of time

Sometimes you just let the brilliance of another shine, acknowledge it, and move on.

[Nitram]

13. Maybe it's easier for people using mobile phones.

[PSPS]

6. It's just a quick and easy way to get a high post count.

[hlthe2b]

14. Yes... that's another motivation for doing so.

that I forgot to mention.

[Yonnie3]

8. Topic drift ...

On one of my early posts on this forum I got a K&R from another DUer, but I had no REC from that poster.

Back on topic! Yes it would be more meaningful and achieve the same results. It is something I'd prefer to see, but seeing just a K&R is not an issue with me.

The evil prankster in me wanted badly to post a K&R as a response to you, but ...

[Nitram]

11. That confirms a suspicion I've had that many DUers think "K&R" has some special affect in itself.

If they don't click the "rec" button, their "R" is useless. Thanks for telling me about your impulse rather than doing it. That is funny, and sounds like something I'd be tempted to do. I'd rather people furthered the discussion instead of waving their magic "K&R" talisman.

[Yonnie3]

16. K&R talisman smilies needed!

Guaranteed to promote your post. Only $1 each. My way of saying I agree with your suspicion.

As a very long term poster on Usenet, I felt that a forum that had 1:10 signal to noise ratio (one informative post in ten) was a better forum than most. I spent too much time with my filters but was pleased with the results. Here at DU I don't feel the need for filters as my mental filter seems to work good enough and that ratio is much better. Losing the K&Rs would be a improvement, but only an increment.

[Nitram]

17. You're right, the S/N ratio is good here at DU, and the K&R issue is just a minor irritation.

I feel better now that I know I'm not the only one who finds it a little puzzling.

[Phoenix61]

10. Great question

I'd wondered the same thing but hadn't thought to ask. Thanks!

[Cirque du So-What]

15. Guilty as charged

I have done this a few times when I want the OP and/or the ensuing commentary to receive greater exposure and I don't have anything to say that hasn't been said already.

[ecstatic]

18. When I do it, it can be for several reasons

1. I'm speechless, but I think it's a great post that people should be aware of
2. Time constraints
3. I'm more of a lurker. Most of the time, I don't feel like elaborating
4. Attention deficit disorder and/or multitasking on too many things, and therefore
5. Unable to be coherent or add anything useful, but still want to go on record as supporting and encouraging such posts