To search or to post?
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An additional thought, my wife and I talk a lot together, it is not until she starts asking questions that I really listen. From my experience it’s at that point I have learned that I am not picking up what she is putting down and I better start. I think we all have a tendency that when we see a question that has been answered several times before we start answering w/o reading and really understanding what is being asked and don’t realize it until after we hit send.
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I’m of the same mind as PapaSop.
I’ve been on a number of forums over the years (as I’m sure all of you have, as well), and this always comes up. Frankly, I’ve never had a problem with someone asking “that question” again. On a BBQ forum that I was active on for many years (and, sadly, no longer exists), I don’t know how many times I described how I cooked brisket, prepared ribs, managed a fire, and other “basics” to someone who just joined. On a homebrewing forum, I went over basics countless times, as well. I few forums like this in the same way I attended hobby club meetings–it’s an exchange of knowledge, not just a collection of literature. New members are excited and enthusiastic, and they want to -talk- about the topic of the forum, not just read about it. Demanding that they do a forum search shuts them down, and I don’t believe that’s the vibe we’re looking for around here. Can you imagine how you would feel if you showed up at a meeting of enthusiasts and started asking “basic” questions only to be handed a book and be told to read it before asking those questions? I’d probably turn around and leave, never to return, and mutter some choice curses on my way out.
Also, it’s a way to see new members–not everyone posts in the “Roll Call” thread, and not everyone reads it. Encouraging questions (or, at least, not discouraging them) is one of the best ways to see new faces.
Another reason to not shoot down questions is that answers develop and change over time. Think about how the sous vide discussions have progressed.
Now, I’m all for a FAQ list, and I don’t think it’s ever a bad idea to suggest that someone do a search on past topics if done in a friendly manner. Even better, go ahead and give someone a link to a relevant thread if you have one in mind.
One thing one forum I’ve seen do is to have designated “ambassadors” for new members. However, I don’t see that needed here. It’s an incredibly friendly forum around here, and someone always is popping up to welcome someone new.
TexLaw That couldn’t have been better said. I’m fairly new here and very technically challenged. If I hadn’t gotten everyone’s help or treated with the kindness everyone has shown. I doubt I would still be here. I would just be reading a book not having fun.
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Quick comment on the search feature. Was just looking for an old post.
When doing a search it seems to default to "posts ". Go to advanced and click on " Titles and Posts ". Better results.Should this be the default?
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Im very late to the discussions but totally on board with FAQ and the similar thread suggestions! i realized some of the posts I made were questions made by others in the past. I am still totally agree that people can ask anyway and i still believe that whatever we do, some people (hopefully few) will still ask before their search. What we can do is to reduce that number down. Probably if you want, you can pin the topics that you think is necessary and new. Whilst there will be newer post regarding the same topics, we can answer to relate to the post and have that post deleted after few months of inactivity. It will reduce number of threads and probably confusion from others as well.
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I recommend being careful about pinning topics. They tend to be ignored by regular users and often skipped by new users if there are a lot of them.
Something I’ve done on some sites and seen on others is to create a pinned index of useful threads (a form of FAQ, really). Even if they are ignored (which they often are), they don’t clutter up the flow of a board.
The real problem with just referring a new user to a thread is the amount of off-topic discussion and banter that just naturally happen over the course of a thread. Someone who is looking for an answer about stuffing brats isn’t always interested in reading 47 posts on what everyone thought about the 2019 Super Bowl. LOL
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So, at 15,000 users (thank you guys!) I think we are at the point where we need to make a determination on how best to make use of the search/posting features. I noticed a lot of questions that were asked by new people recently that have already been answered. I have seen message boards before that had strong rules on searching before posting but as PapaSop likes to say, we are a “community” not a message board!
In my opinion it makes it easier on the person looking for an answer to be able to just post the question they have in mind instead of searching through older posts BUT I don’t even answer most posts anymore, it is you guys who do that majority of that nowadays.
So, Power-User Regular-Contributors how do you want it? FYI anyone can chime in here, just tagged those groups as they are the ones carrying the majority of the load.
Jonathon I would typically have to advocate searching first. However, if you are like me, you & the search engine don’t get along sometimes. I know I can search until the sun comes up sometimes & the search engine does not seem to understand my search words that make perfect sense to me. Well, when that happens, you just have to ask, even though it may be a repeat, since you could not find Pete.
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Jonathon I would typically have to advocate searching first. However, if you are like me, you & the search engine don’t get along sometimes. I know I can search until the sun comes up sometimes & the search engine does not seem to understand my search words that make perfect sense to me. Well, when that happens, you just have to ask, even though it may be a repeat, since you could not find Pete.
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So, at 15,000 users (thank you guys!) I think we are at the point where we need to make a determination on how best to make use of the search/posting features. I noticed a lot of questions that were asked by new people recently that have already been answered. I have seen message boards before that had strong rules on searching before posting but as PapaSop likes to say, we are a “community” not a message board!
In my opinion it makes it easier on the person looking for an answer to be able to just post the question they have in mind instead of searching through older posts BUT I don’t even answer most posts anymore, it is you guys who do that majority of that nowadays.
So, Power-User Regular-Contributors how do you want it? FYI anyone can chime in here, just tagged those groups as they are the ones carrying the majority of the load.
Jonathon I don’t have a problem with the questions, before searching. I have noticed that when a question is asked that the answer can be found by searching, members will reference that the person can do a search and how to do it and others will answer the question in the same thread. I think as people use the sight, they get more comfortable with searching first, then asking questions. I don’t want to discourage people from participating and asking questions.
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calldoctoday Yeah, the search function could use some tweaking and it is something we are looking into. There is an advanced search feature, do people know that? If you start typing in the search box/magnifying glass box a gear icon comes up and when you hit that and it brings you to the below where you can add some things to narrow down the search.
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Jonathon I don’t have a problem with the questions, before searching. I have noticed that when a question is asked that the answer can be found by searching, members will reference that the person can do a search and how to do it and others will answer the question in the same thread. I think as people use the sight, they get more comfortable with searching first, then asking questions. I don’t want to discourage people from participating and asking questions.
bocephus well said my friend
. Like I’ve said before I’m technically challenged and when I first found this community all I wanted was answers to a few questions. I didn’t want to spend hours trying to figure out how to navigate the site. Now that I have been here awhile I can get around pretty good. Thanks to all of you for helping me along the way. -
I recommend being careful about pinning topics. They tend to be ignored by regular users and often skipped by new users if there are a lot of them.
Something I’ve done on some sites and seen on others is to create a pinned index of useful threads (a form of FAQ, really). Even if they are ignored (which they often are), they don’t clutter up the flow of a board.
The real problem with just referring a new user to a thread is the amount of off-topic discussion and banter that just naturally happen over the course of a thread. Someone who is looking for an answer about stuffing brats isn’t always interested in reading 47 posts on what everyone thought about the 2019 Super Bowl. LOL
TexLaw Perfectly stated.
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we are all here to help each other just ask
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