Would You Leave A Sarky Reply To A Ridiculous Hub ?

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   badcompany99posted 16 years ago

   Ok I have been reading around and have read loads of great hubs but good god I have also read some really pathetic pieces of garbage. I normally just rate it down but hey sometimes I think why not just leave a nice sarky comment which in all events would probably soar over their heads. So you hub peeps have you left a sarky comment or what do you do ?

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      Kelsey Tallisposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      I haven't been here very long but I have down-ranked a couple hubs I thought were seriously lacking any original content whatsoever but I have not left any snarky replies.
      
      I actually did flag one, but it had no text, only a video that was in Spanish so I don't even know if it matched the title (which is a very obvious search term).
      
      I've been tempted to leave a reply that isn't kind though. And honestly, if someone is a very poor writer or not adding anything original to their topic, isn't it kinder in the long run to let them know this so they don't keep wasting their energy doing something that will probably not benefit them?
      
      Anyway, I've only been here since Friday so I'm still getting used to the place...

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      Paragliderposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Usually I leave garbage hubs well alone because even to acknowledge them is to delay their slide to oblivion. Forum posts are a different matter though

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      1. 59

         GeneriqueMediaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         I think its most fair to offer some good pointers and tips to perhaps make the Hub better. And if the writer seems disinterested, rate it down. Some people are like fish out of water (I was here for awhile, and still sometimes I hit or miss) with HubPages. Others are doing it just for pure enjoyment..still others are doing it in hopes of seeing dollar signs.
         
         The ones who create blatantly "commercial" Hubs without injecting any sort of art or tact are the ones I personally dislike the most and feel don't serve anything for anyone other than as badly made billboards.
         
         But everyone has potential to improve. But if ya lead the horse to water and it doesn't drink..just shoot it and find a new one.
         
         Sincerely,
         
         G|M

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            JamaGeneeposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            

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            Everyday Miraclesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            COMPLETELY right about that one, G|M! I have been writing (seriously) since I was 10. I jumped off the wagon for a long time when I was about 18 and then hopped back on when I was 23. Since then I go back and forth, sometimes writing, sometimes not. Sometimes it's for me, other times I write for publication and possible $$$.
            
            My point is that I am constantly seeking to improve myself, my literary style and the way that I present my information. I scour these forums far more often than I post looking for people's responses to specific questions and pondering on what I think makes a hub "good."
            
            Very well said!

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            1. 59

               GeneriqueMediaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

               Appreciate your kind sentiments. I, too, have been writing since childhood...I began in earnest when I was nine. I figure if you can become such a good enough stylistic writer you're able to fit on in and branch out to several different topics.
               
               People have been happy with my "Thought Bubbles" articles because not only do they present relevant and real information they also tend to entertain and engage with multiple forms of media.
               
               The dynamics of HubPages to become an "article publisher" kick the pants off of anything you'll find in your newspaper or their website.
               
               Granted, I still love reading stuff in dead tree format...but its no longer necessary to keep works to just mere words and pictures.
               
               Sincerely,
               
               G|M

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   3. 69

      Christoph Reillyposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      So that's what you were going on about on my hub.  Honestly, it just "soared" right over my head. Strained my neck watchin' it go by. Now I see you were being sarky.

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         badcompany99posted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Awwww poor Chris you know I enjoy yer hubs, if it wasn't for Chris A yer poster wud be on my wall !

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      Marisa Wrightposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      No, I never leave negative comments. A couple of Hubbers have been subjected to stalking and sabotage (Adsense fraud) because they said something negative on some crazy person's Hub, so it's just not worth it.
      
      I do "thumbs down" though.

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         Everyday Miraclesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Really? Does that extend to disagreeing with something said in the hub? I've done that before (though I hope politely) and never thought that something like that would happen.
         
         What is Adsense fraud?

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         1. 88

            Marisa Wrightposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            No, it doesn't extend to just disagreeing - I've often had debates in Hub comments!  Adsense fraud is where someone comes along and clicks repeatedly on your ads - Google will think it's you or one of our friends trying to artificially boost your traffic, and they may ban you.

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      AEvansposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      If I run across a hub that is sub-standard I simply try to critique it so they can improve there writing skills, as helping each others makes the world go round.

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         badcompany99posted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Fair point, and taken on board !

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2. 88

   Everyday Miraclesposted 16 years ago

   I try very hard to be kind. Most of the time I simply don't comment on hubs that I think are horribly written. I find it easier to simply navigate away from the page and move on. After all, the person who wrote the hub might not have a good handle on the English language or might not truly understand what Hubpages is all about.
   
   I also don't down-rate. I have been a member of the Sims2 community for the last three years or so, and I specifically am a Sims 2 writer. I write Legacy Challenge stories and originally posted them on a blog. After a while, however, I realized that I loved the rating system on the Sims 2 exchange and I moved some of my stories there. It was so fun to watch several of them jump right up to five stars!
   
   But friends of mine, a very fun Ozzie simmer and some younger writers brought up that their stories were being "downrated." I came to realize that the "down-rating" means absolutely nothing: it's the UP rating that is significant. I just feel that it is a waste of a click that could be moving me onto something more interesting. And after all, I want to assume that the writer is at least *trying*.
   
   Now and again I have written supportive comments on hubs that I felt were sub-par, if I could tell that the writer was *trying*. Those hubs that are sub-par and clearly break the TOS of HP I flag (i.e. a two sentence hub, etc).
   
   Is I see it, we're all here for different reasons. I just determined with my husband that I'm not here for the money: I'm here because I have an audience and I am enjoying writing again (finally!). Some are here because they feel that they can post many hubs and get quick cash (good luck with that one, tell me how it works out for you!). Still others are really here to join a community and make friends, but might not be going about it in the best way possible.

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3. 48

   badcompany99posted 16 years ago

   Well you are way too kind as I have found too many just pumping out garbage and I am sorry but my sarcasm twil be unleashed with a fury.

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      Everyday Miraclesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      There are times I want to, badco! I completely understand what you are saying! I still try to be understanding though

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   Nelle Hoxieposted 16 years ago

   If I can't say anything nice and/or supportive, then I say nothing at all.

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      badcompany99posted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Fair point but once you put something in writing on the net you leave it open to be judged, and judge I shall !

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         SweetiePieposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         However, just as you are free to comment they are free to delete.  A couple of times people left comments that were their opinion, but I found it to be very snarky and just deleted it.

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   JamaGeneeposted 16 years ago

   Pirates aren't known for behaving like other people. So it's pretty much your job to leave the sarky comments for us, isn't it?  
   
   Oh right.  The question was about leaving sarky comments on bad hubs.  No, I usually just click out.  No thumbs down.  Nothing. Except for the nano-second page view, like I was never there.

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      Elena.posted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Pretty much the same here.  What's happened to me every once in a blue moon is that I clicked out from a hub that all of a sudden becomes very popular, featured and all, and I am tempted to go back and reassess.  Sometimes I do.  I won't say how many times, if any, I've been mistaken in my initial perception

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      Everyday Miraclesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      LOL! I must be weird because I usually sit around trying to figure out why they are so bad! LOL

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         JamaGeneeposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Well, then I'm weird too, EM.  I don't try to figure every bad hub, but I have studied a few...and then I remember I'm giving the hub a long view time, same as if I *like* it.  Click out real quick at that point!

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6. 64

   Kelsey Tallisposted 16 years ago

   ^^^ AWESOME!

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7. 75

   frogdroppingposted 16 years ago

   Dunno. Ain't been around long enough to start getting uppity and sarcy. Though personally, I'm a fan of sarcasm. Makes the world go around and all that.
   
   Or is that love. Or money?

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      GeneriqueMediaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      By edict of the late Freddie Mercury he doth determined that it was fat bottom girls.

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8. 61

   Cris Aposted 16 years ago

   I sometimes practice my creativity with the language by writing a sarky comment. But it usually comes across as a hoodwink. I guess my likable personality precedes me always

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      badcompany99posted 16 years agoin reply to this

      you lil charmer, tis why I loves ya !

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         Cris Aposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         And BC, you're right. A little sarcasm won't hurt - specially when it floats over the recipient's head or drop to his feet

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            badcompany99posted 16 years agoin reply to this

            Exactly my friend and I wouldn't be rude, just slightly sarcastic, like would I be rude I ask you : )

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9. 67

   Mishaposted 16 years ago

   I usually don't waste my time on them, unless I am really bored or annoyed...

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10. 74

    mayhmongposted 16 years ago

    As for me, it depends on what the hub is about. For example, if someone says that Clay Aiken was gay, I would give'em a piece of my mind!...then again, he really was gay.

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    Eternal Evolutionposted 16 years ago

    If i come across someting that is absolutly horrible than i'll down rate. I'll only leave negitive comment if the person has writensomething completly horrid. I have left a few comments for a hub that was pure rubish. But usualy i try to be nice an if i really like a hub i'll rate it up and comment.

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12. 59

    calebdposted 16 years ago

    I only say something snarky if I find a fair few people have decided to agree with the hubber's unsubstantiated point of view. Sometimes popular hubs will consist of someone spouting something completely inane and similar-minded folk agreeing mindlessly. Otherwise, I generally live and let live, with the occasional thumbs down.

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    Leta Sposted 16 years ago

    I never or extremely rarely leave a snarky comment, I never flag down or flag up a hub.  Don't see the point of that (have bantered or disagreed, however).  It should be a free market for ideas.  Also don't want to ruin any person's business or readership in their space.

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14. 79

    cindyvineposted 16 years ago

    If  hub is bad I just move on.  I have to say that I have read many bad hubs where people have commented, "Great hub" and I thought, you gotta be kidding me.  Maybe it's just me that thinks its so shyte and the content and grammar is bad.  In those cases, when everybody else has raved, I just say mmmmmmmmm

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15. 48

    badcompany99posted 16 years ago

    Great hub, oh sorry wrong place !

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    Jewelsposted 16 years ago

    Depends on my mood for the day.  Usually no, I leave the room without a trace.

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    MissJamieDposted 16 years ago

    Are you butt-wads saying that simple page views are intended cuts and sarky comments? lol

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