The Rest of the Story...a courtesy suggestion?

@dkdkrd posted:

Was searching through the forum archives the other day in search of help with a problem.  I came across a few postings/threads that had multiple suggestions for the OP.  But, in the end, the OP never responded back what they found to have worked, resolved their problem.  You know...as Paul Harvey once opined: "The Rrrrest of the story!"

Very frustrating.

Is it asking too much for us who seek the valuable help/lessons from folks on the forum far more savvy than ourselves to bring closure to their problem?  What was found to be 'The Red X'?  Which of the several suggestions led to successful resolution?  Or, did you find an alternative solution not mentioned in the threads that brought successful closure?

Or did you give up? Sell it for parts? Throw it away? Had it repaired by someone else and payed the big bucks for the solution without getting details on what was done?  The rainy day for trying some of the ideas never came?  What?

Maybe it's just me.  When I read about a problem that I can identify having encountered myself, then read of all the things tried...of one's own ideas or those offered by others...I like to read the happy ending!  Surely the misery of the problem-poser is not left unresolved...is it?  Well, duh!...too often, it seems, it's so!

IMHO, it would be courteous and far more helpful if we took the time not only to ask for help, but to finally respond back how our problem was resolved.  And give final thanks and kudos to all who stepped up!

Just asking.

KD

So true..I've had it happen to me several times...I don't mind doing the research,but it would be nice to know the outcome....joe

This may sound kinda creepy, but when a “help me, my….is broken” thread dead ends, I always look to see when the OP was last on OGR. Occasionally it’s months or years. In our age demographic, that’s not encouraging. KD’s thread now also reminded me I probably left a coupla threads hangin’😳😳😳

Absolutely agree with both @dkdkrd and @joe krasko that closure on the solution to the problem is courteous and helpful to others who in the future are searching for answers to similar problems.

After a while you get used to it.   There are givers, takers, and some that balance the two.

I agree. It seems to happen some on the Real Trains Forum, where one or two individuals ask questions, and then NEVER return to the discussion. Generally seems to be the same few folks.

I agree too, though probably guilty too.  At least the regulars here could agree to try to improve this.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

After a while you get used to it.   There are givers, takers, and some that balance the two.

And Gunnrunner is right! I give Gunrunner my problems, he takes them, fixes them, and upgrades them!

Thanks Gunrunner!

I totally agree that closure is a very good thing. Quite frankly, whenever I've posted a problem and got the solution here, I'm ecstatic and love to share the happy ending expressing maximum gratitude for the help I got. Arnold