"I'm new here, what's a search...?"

[Christopha]

Of course, one of the advantages of newbies(?) asking old questions is that we oldies get to give them a new answer... perhaps one which is better than the original answer to the old question which is a new way of looking at the question even if the question in question is of questionable value to the oldies of the form it may be unquestionably valuable the the newbies of the forum who are, without question, most welcome not only to our forum but also to ask any question they might like....

Any questions?

[Grunt]

Christopha certainly knows how to do a query.

[Gumby]

Christopha certainly knows how to do a query.

That's 'cos he are one

[ozwinner]

Imagine how boring it would be if all newbies did a search, youd be able to hear the crickets chirping away..................................

I dont mind newbies asking questions, they might not get the answer they are looking for, but it helps welcome them the the mad house....

Al

[boban]

From a newbie's perspective, I read the responses which state "do a search, this has been done to death", and find it a bit frustrating because searching is not always as easy as it sounds. Sometimes you get too many results. I could just imagine how many results there are for TSC 10HB or even tablesaw.

The best answer is the one with a link to the thread. The actual knowledge of the thread or how to bring it up is often the best possible result for a newbie. In most cases, if its what they're looking for, the thread dies a quick death. If not they'll ask the question they really want answered.

[vsquizz]

Now speaking as we were of suck-faced goody-two-shoes.... isn't this a perfect example of how to respond???

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...98&postcount=2

Neat, concise the merest hint of what may be found!!! For those who inhabit this board as opposed to merely dropping in from time to time, a brief search is a simple thing because some of the terms are etched in our scones.

So wouldn't it be kind and nice and sweet and gentle and ooooohhh so much like us, to at least give a few hints with the response?? Just like Squizz???

ON yer Squizzy !!

Cheers,

P

I aim to not pis*....errr aim to not hit the do....umm Oh thats it. We aim to please .

I don't actually use the search function, but needing to catergorise all the great information on this forum what I did is locate the Ubeaut website, then pay a 15 year old wizzkid to hack into it and download the threads into my own database so that....ohh...sorry not funny ehh?.

On a more serious note if I see a question asked that has been answered before I either try and point them in the right direction or not post at all, resting secure in the knowledge that some of the excellent members of this forum will do the right thing and help out best they can.

They few times I have used the search function I have either found what I wanted straight away or haven't been able to use a parameter that brings up what I know is there. It can be difficult because the particular post you may be looking for may be way off the thread topic. (A practice called hijacking which rarely occurs )

Cheers (it is Saturday night you know)

[echnidna]

How do I do a search and include all appropriate parameters to bring up the answers I need. (Including the parameters I haven't even thought of.
And then eliminate the answers that aren't relevant.

Ask questions
Give answers
And if some twit gets peed orf coz they've heard a similar question before - stiff.

[Rusty]

Man, I'm so hungover......having trouble assimilating information...is it all sorted, then? Is that how you spell assimilating?

I'm going to throw up, then get back on the wagon...

Have a good one, 'cos I'm not;

Rusty, (who could have sworn he was funny, charming and attractive last night, so what's that thing in the mirror)?

[Stuart]

I side with Rusty and Dan on this one. Those who are too far up themselves to civilly answer a newbie's question should refrain from answering at all. Pontificating, unhelpful responses are just as wasteful of time and bandwidth.

I couldn't agree more. Personally, if you read a post and it is on a subject that you have either answered in the past, and can't be bothered answering again, or just feel a sudden urge to dump on someone for asking what to you is an "obvious" point, then just don't. Move on. Find a more interesting post that you can contribute something valuable (or at least entertaining) to. Some seem to have this unsated urge to post on everything just to get their post count well up.

I'm not saying that frivolous posts should be avoided - this is a community after all, and banter back and forth is part of what makes this one work well.

But crap such as :mad: icons every :mad: few lines when you are :mad: just having a go at someone not familiar with this board's culture is just f:mad: b:mad: s:mad: .

One other point I'm going to make, and again, personal opinion, on discussion boards that I've gone on as I have some question to make, or a point I want to raise, I find it insulting to have my post put down just because I'm a "newbie". Don't make the mistake of thinking just because someone hasn't been on these boards before that they are inexperienced, stupid, new to woodworking and need "sorting out" (Search for that before asking). They may be, but then they may have been on discussion boards for years longer than you have, and/or may have years more woodworking experience, and jumping on them will achieve nothing but discourage people who would have otherwise become a valuable member of this community.

And that's my 2 cents worth.

[Rusty]

I don't think it's my place to single anyone out for criticism, I prefer to concentrate on the benefits of being patient with newbies and maintaining some kind of loose protocol for answering the door of the clubhouse, as it were. Also I'm a coward who avoids confrontation...

I would hate to cramp (clamp?) anyones style in a serious way, 'cos bluntness and angry emoticons have their place, e.g. in reminding pushy American salespeople of the correct place for their posts. But, like many others it seems, my "peaceful enjoyment" of these forums is becoming spoiled by the manner of the "do a search" crowd. I trust that the salient points raised in the members posts above have helped address the issue.

Is salient right? I hate hangovers.

Now, be honest- the glossary idea sucks, doesn't it?

Rusty.

[outback]

:confused: :eek: :mad: :confused: :eek: :mad:

Now now boys, I want a good clean fight......errr no hang on.

perhaps you two should pop down the pub and sort this out over a large frosty glass of amber coloured barley derived slightly alcoholic beverage. This would provide an ideal opportunity to swap pancake recipes and amusing Triton anecdotes, then come back, all refreshed.

:confused: :eek: :mad: :confused: :eek: :mad:

[outback]

Now, be honest- the glossary idea sucks, doesn't it?

Like a 56 Hp dust extractor?

[Mr Snrub]

Can anyone suggest a good tablesaw?

[craigb]

Can anyone suggest a good tablesaw?

Yes

[vsquizz]

Can anyone suggest a good tablesaw?

Nope, we knows nothing about tablesaws, fact is I have never really wanted to saw up a table. Try interrogating the database by activating a query using "variable height rotating & tilting arbour furniture saw with fixed and sliding reference decks". This will probably reveal nothing....

ON the other hand you could just do a search??

If you are not familiar with searchs just hang around, somebody will give you some advice.

Also its possible I could post links to some threads which may or may not help you depending on how specific your question was...I'm trying not to be ambiguous here . I also assume you asked a question because you are seeking information about something. That in itself means you may need to put on your thermal underwear and flame proof computer cover.

I really think we should have a forum called "Ask Christopha" for all these difficult matters

Anyway, Have a nice day

(Living on the edge today)

Cheers