What is the definition of topping?
 

New to this forum and i am seeing topping used in many ways, curious to know what it means, it does not seem obvious.

Each time a person adds a reply to a thread it goes to the top of the list.

So whether someone writes a message or merely types in anything (i.e., ttt or topping) it brings that original post to the number 1 position.

topping for crzy

Newbies are often mystified by "topping" - - not merely what does it mean, but "why?"

It's a bit obsolete - - but until early 2003, there was no way here on this website to direct another visitor here to find a "thread" from the past - - so the practice of "topping" (bringing an old message back up "to the top") was widely used, to help connect an old answer to a new question. Of course, it was fleeting.

Nowadays, it is usually just used as an aid to help a newbie have a better chance to find his/her own earlier question(s). Few new visitors here realize that a question posted yesterday is most likely 200-400 questions "deep", and thus requires multiple clicks on "next 50" to dig back to find it.

And many do not realize that is always possible to find all previous posts by clicking on your own name.

Welcome to the forum.

Best wishes,

Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana

oh, and p.s., if you don't know how to cite, or direct someone to an "old" thread, see http://www.fodors.com/forums/faqs.cfm#Q3A

oh, i get it, so when someone is topping you, it helps your question by making it more visible. Thanks for clearing that one up.

Rex thanks for the tips. love this forum!!!

It brings it to the top! I often top newbies who may not know that when no one has has responded to their post.

You're welcome.

Yes, and every time someone's question is topped, it drives someone else's question farther down so it's more difficult to find. Just like I'm doing to everyone now.

rufus for newbies whose questions never get answered , drives them away. I'll always top a new posters question if no one answered by the next day or end of the night.

Well, then, let's keep this one up there!

ttt for crzyjodi