Proper Use of the Quote Button

I have this rule implemented on my forum although it is a pain to enforce sometimes. I'd like to get other admin's opinions on this...

"Do not abuse the quote button. All this does is clutter up the page with repeated text or pictures. There is no need to quote the entire post above yours! Everyone knows what you are replying to, it's not hard to scroll up one post to check. Quoting is acceptable when you are replying to a post further back or when replying only to a specific part of a post."

I don't issue bans or infractions over it but I do try to remove quotes that violate this rule as I'm going through threads. I feel it keeps the forums tidy and legible, especially when it comes to really long or image rich posts. Do you always quote the last post when replying to it - or do you only quote when necessary?

 

I usually quote half of the post, or whatever I can reply to. If I'm in a debate, then of course I'll break the quote into a few sections so its easier to read.

We don't have any rules in regards to quoting other users. I don't see an issue with that.

 

I don't have any rules regarding that, but I do see your point when it's really, really a lot.

 

Luckily the forum software I used had an option to limit the number of quotes within quotes (this sounds like Inception already). I set the value to 3 - I'm definitely not a fan of quote chains. It's annoying to have to scroll down a whole page because people keep quoting posts that are redundant.

 

I see your point in doing so but it doesn't really bother me on my site tbh.

 

I only quote what I feel is necessary to. If I'm responding to the original post, I will never quote it. I may quote a single sentence from another post and respond directly to that. Or I will quote a post and then break it up into multiple quotes so that I can respond to each sentence/question/thought separately without sounding confusing or long-winded.

 

I've also seen some forums get mad when a quote has happened. Especially when you first come into the thread and reply to someone.

 

I only quote if necessary, and it does annoy me when users constantly quote every post, but if you implement user tagging on your forum I find(on my own forum) that less users make pointless quotes and use the user tagging instead. You have to lead by example, and your users will follow.

 

I haven't seen the tagging bit replace quotes yet. I couldn't agree more about the last part, though. If you want people to change their forum habits, you need to lead by example more than anything. You won't get everyone, but you'll get more people on board if they see you doing it so much.

 

I didn't say it replaces quotes, but I've noticed users using the tagging system more often, and that makes them quote less posts. @cpvr forum is a good example of that.

 

Ugh, don't get me started. When I see a super long quoted, I think the posted double posted until I see the response or notice the quote box. I mean really????

 

I wouldn't make a rule of it, but I would ask members not to do it again and why if it happens often.

 

I've actually had to hide the quote button on one forum because it was so heavily used. I tried to make it less convenient to hit quote but moving the button to a different location and replacing it with the simple reply button but this didn't work and so the quote button had to go temporarily.

I posted a message about it a month later and asked people to ease up on using it, it's not designed to be used with every single reply, and the response was good.

 

Did you make that request from them -before- removing the button? I'm just curious as to whether or not they would've responded positively to the request without you needing to hide it.