"Do a Search" mentality

[silentC]

Do you think there is a "Do a Search" mentality on this forum?

I don't think there is. I think most people (even the 'older' members) are more than happy to help and most of the time will even go out of their way to search for an appropriate thread if the discussion has been had before. I've done it myself. In fact, I can't think of a recent thread where the poster was told to do a search in the manner that such a mentality would imply. What do you think?

[Eastie]

Silent - I think you'll find this has been covered before - do a search and I'm sure you'll find it

[Wongo]

Just did a search on "do a search" and I got 34 pages. So it is a "Yes" for me.

OK my point is it is not easy to search for an answer when you get hundreds of threads. You just dont know where to start. :confused:

[silentC]

Now just a minute there. Have you removed the ones where people were talking about people having a "do a search" mentality? Have you removed the ones that are directing people to do a search on Google? Come on, Wongo, you're not being fair mate.

Actually, I did a search on the phrase "do a search" (include the quotes) and I only get 15 pages. The first one I looked at was a very helpful post from Cliff where he gave some info and said "Do a search on 'rust + removal + tools' & 'rust + prevention + tools' that should find the older posts.". I don't think that counts as a "Do a search" post because it was supplementing other information.

[Wongo]

Just did a search on “rust + removal + tools' & 'rust + prevention + tool” and I got a thread from Cliff where he told people how to do a search.

[ryanarcher]

Just did a search on “rust + removal + tools' & 'rust + prevention + tool” and I got a thread from Cliff where he told people how to do a search.

I just did a search for "searching for 'rust + removal + tools' & 'rust + prevention + tool' " and the computer caught on fire after finding the woodwork forums wormhole

I'm all for searching. it's poor manners to value your own time more than others :mad:
-Ryan

[Wongo]

Well I believe we should all do a search before we go and ask a question. That is what I have been doing anyway.

However, I think we should be a bit more tolerant to those who ask a question. At the same time they should not get offended if they are told to do a search.

[silentC]

I think we should be a bit more tolerant to those who ask a question

This is my point. I don't think there is much, if any, intolerance towards it. If someone asks a questions that has been answered before, I don't think they get their head bitten off - far from it. Most people go out of their way to help.

[Ashore]

To me also a new member it was well put in the thread that led to this one
"Times change and advice that may have been relevant 12 months ago may be contradicted today. Maybe there is a new whiz bang tool that does both jobs better. Or maybe the advice that was given previously was wrong. "

Definately do a search but also post the Question who knows .....

A reminder that there is a search feature available and FAQ will explain how to use this feature my help a new member get the best out of the forum, where as "Do A Search" advice may not.

Shorely the last thing this forum needs is an arguement that devides its users into the three groups of Pro, Against & Dont give a damm
Life's too short,



The trouble with life is there's no background music.

[silentC]

We are not debating whether or not it is valid to suggest someone do a search. The question is quite simply: "on the whole do you think that the posters here have what I have called a 'Do a search' mentality". This implies a rude, holier than thou attitude that says don't ask stupid questions that have been answered before. It implies that those of us who have been here for awhile look down their noses at the 'newbies' (I hate that term).

I say that this is not true, contrary to the 7 people who apparently believe it is. Frankly, I'm a bit astonished that anyone has voted yes.

[adrian]

I posted on the thread that caused you to do this poll but this thread is somewhat more relevant.
When someone asks a very specific question like what should I purchase first, a jointer or a thicknesser it is unreasonable to ask them to trawl through 1000 posts to MAYBE find one or two that may answer their question and those couple of posts may be years old.
All the information we seek on this forum could be acquired on Google but it means looking through thousands of listings. What we get when we post here is the chance to get an answer from a diverse group of very knowledgable, like minded people without the hassle of having to sift through a tonne of irrelevant information.

[Groggy]

Do a search.
Do a search for someone.
Ask,
Answer.

All are human nature, to look, to ask, to help.

It is also human nature that people get grumpy occasionally.

If you come looking for help be prepared to get some bad with the good. If all you get is good advice and willing assistance then consider yourself lucky. These forums are not run by nuns and moderated by priests (well, maybe one...

Final word: remember the advice on this (or any other) forum is only worth what you paid for it, to turn it into true value you need to identify how it can meet your need.

[gatiep]

Quote" Silent---If someone asks a questions that has been answered before, I don't think they get their head bitten off "


There have definately been a number of instances by a number of regulars on the BB where it has been vgery close. I recall a couple of blatant ones...........

I would rather have a person give a short answer and refer to a post or tell the member that there is more on the topic by searching
After all if everybody just does a search and don't ask, the topic won't get discussed again and maybe relative new information will not be posted.
After all....is this a search board or a discussion board?

Yes, in the past there have been times where the do a search mentality surfaced strongly. Sometimes obviously by people suffering from verbal diarrhoea, who cannot contribute to the answer but needs to waffle...........so it seems anyway.

[silentC]

I posted on the thread that caused you to do this poll but this thread is somewhat more relevant.
When someone asks a very specific question like what should I purchase first, a jointer or a thicknesser it is unreasonable to ask them to trawl through 1000 posts to MAYBE find one or two that may answer their question and those couple of posts may be years old.
All the information we seek on this forum could be acquired on Google but it means looking through thousands of listings. What we get when we post here is the chance to get an answer from a diverse group of very knowledgable, like minded people without the hassle of having to sift through a tonne of irrelevant information.

But no-one is holding a gun to your head saying you have to search. I don't recall anyone ever asking to close a thread because it has been answered before. Nothing is stopping every man and dog from answering your question anyway.

I personally have found the answer to many questions by doing a search. I have also been guilty of asking questions already done to death. Nobody jumped down my throat then either.

Heaven forbid we should ever end up having a forum where people were afraid to post incase it had been asked before. This is my point, god damn it!! This forum just isn't like that and I'll come right out and say it: BJ Honeycut implied that it is and I'm not having a bar of it.

Why does it matter so much to you guys? Sheesh.... I'm getting tired and emotional now. It must be time to go outside and throw a stick for the dog...

[gatiep]

Great one Silent....hope you enjoyed playing with the dog.

To put it bluntly I dislike it when peoples only reply is: DO A SEARCH....there have been a few in the past. The board whent through a couple of weeks of that a while back.