Just like I never "like" on Facebook.

After all, they are free to do. Thanks! And I'm still wondering.

I do make many of my opinions well known, more so here than on FB. Here I'm with a generally like-minded group. And even though "like" seems pretty innocuous, I simply don't do it.

I encourage everyone to post! Early and often!

After all, it's free! The best deal ever!

And why be stingy giving out a positive free rec?

I just don't get it. Also thanks for answering.

Any guesses?

That means they view recommendations differently than you.

Why is this so hard?

If I knew all the answers, I'd have no questions.

What's wrong with 51?

To both of you!

People do not want to reveal that they rec’d an OP.

Thanks for the answer, but I really do not understand. I'm as transparent as can be about myself and I live in a RWNJ county. I could care less what anyone thinks about me, or what I think.

No offense to Ptah's, but I'm sure there must be a reason. Any ideas?

because you didn’t think it applied to you. OK, but not everyone thinks the way you do.

So your answer is not enough for me. Sorry!

Just because I think a recipe looks good or a dog story brought me to tears again doesn’t necessarily mean I think all of DU needs to read the thread. I can just make my comments and move on.

Why does it matter?

Thanks for a clue!

Is it an alogram computer thing or something?

Does a rec have more value than a comment?

get it into the "Greatest" page. But without kicks or comments, a thread will eventually fall off the first page.

Sounds likely. Clearest answer yet. But to be honest it makes me sad to think it is most likely true.

Thank you

Often people will simply post "Kick" to move the thread to the top position so it will be seen by more people. Or they will post "K&R"--kick and recommend--after clicking the "recommend" button, which will also help visibility, since 5 or more recs will put it on the greatest page, and the more recs means the higher up on the greatest page.

it will enable more people to see the thread.

But I was just thinking. If I post answers to commenters on my own OP, I'll more likely get myself to a greatest page post?

(with an innocent wink, wink!)

it onto the greatest page unless by moving to the top of the page it ends up with more readers who like it well enough to give it a rec, because only the number of recs determines whether it gets to the greatest page--and what position it will have on the greatest page.

day) sink as more new threads are posted. But if someone posts a new comment on an older thread, that new comment kicks the older thread back to the top, where more readers can see it and perhaps even give it more comments (kicks) and/or recs.

Recs are not more valuable than kicks, except in the sense that they are like applause, so they can be gratifying. Also recs can add up to get the thread onto the greatest page, where more people can see it (and maybe kick and rec it).

Many people read only or mostly, or at first, the greatest page, so getting onto the greatest page helps garner more readers. Five recs is the minimum for the greatest page.

Also, the more recs you get, the higher the thread goes on the greatest page, and the closer it is to the top, the more reads it will be likely to get.

Most people don't bother to read past the first page of a forum, so once it falls off the first page, a thread isn't likely to get any more reads. In fact, most people don't scroll all the way down the first page of a forum, so even sinking down to the lower part of the first page will usually finish off a thread.

yes

is involved.

yes indeed

That’s just me.

Sometimes I rec because I like the thread or feel it's important or I think it's funny. I don't necessarily comment or kick. And sometimes I comment or kick but don't rec although I suspect many people have already done so in those cases Recs aren't gold stars. They are nice but they don't mean as much as some people think.