Waiting for the red lights to turn green

[softly softly]

I'm pulling into the pits to fuel up for the evening, change tyres (trousers off, comfy pants on).

John

[trish1120]

Go for it John

[River Tyne Lass]

John, perhaps, some kind soul should pm you with their query first before posting on the main board.  Then if you can help, this might give you time to prepare your answer and rev up to get it on there in a nanosecond once the post does go on.  I can imagine a lot of people would wonder how you managed this in such a speed of lightning!
I know where you are coming from .. I am often pipped to the post as well.

[Pennines]

That's a really good idea by River Tyne Lass.

You will have to put this as a heading in 'How to Use Rootschat' -- Send a Private Message to John Hood first.

It's supposed to be the taking part and not the winning which counts BUT -- like you, John, I would like to win and be first past the post (just sometimes!)

[softly softly]

I quite agree it’s the taking part that counts. But if we are honest it’s b***** annoying sometimes when you do find something useful and you go to reply and the red box appears. Have a good evening all.
John

[pinefamily]

We all try to help when we can, John. Some have knowledge on a particular subject, some know their way around certain records.
All in all, it's the thought that counts.

[Treetotal]

I am in the category of the "slowest finger on the buzzer" too, I spend time writing all the details from a census return, only to find that when I come to post it, someone beat me too it posting the barest of details, having bagged "the fastest finger on the buzzer" slot, they then go back and fill the details 
I do learn a lot from the many replies though.
Carol

[josey]

On a very few occasions I think I might be able to help and am able to reply ahead of other people.

Then I find that my reply was either wrong, or dealt with a less helpful part of the query, and others more expert than myself come in and solve the issue (or at least add miles more helpful suggestions) before I've stopped kicking myself.

I can't count how many times I've done that - I might have worn out the 'Embarrassed'' emoji.

[IgorStrav]

On a very few occasions I think I might be able to help and am able to reply ahead of other people.

Then I find that my reply was either wrong, or dealt with a less helpful part of the query, and others more expert than myself come in and solve the issue (or at least add miles more helpful suggestions) before I've stopped kicking myself.

I can't count how many times I've done that - I might have worn out the 'Embarrassed'' emoji.

But when I DO post something helpful, or find something useful - I occasionally do! - I am all the more excited!!!

ADDED:
And who are these people who can type out census listings more quickly than I can copy and paste them and make the necessary adjustments to avoid breaching copyright???