Already Posted do a search (Theory)

[mayday0017]

I have always seen people post legit questions on here and other forums over the years and they get the reply "go do a search". And everyone flames the person about how this topic has been covered a billion times. So we end up with JUNK that will show up when people do search the topic.

If you have the time to flame someone about something that would be soooooo easy to find. Then please click search and type in whatever you think will find it and find the post. Then come back to the other guys post and tell him to try using search if he needs more info but in your search you found XXXXXXX link and you hope it helps.

This is just something that has always bothered me, searching typically isn't as easy as we act like it is, and telling the person to search adds no value only makes our forum cluttered with JUNK posts and honestly makes you look like an ***. I can't remember the last time I ended up getting one of these reply's to a question I asked but I do see it quite often for other people.

Well rant is over, thanks for reading

 

[LSU]

Mayday, I'm with you.

Lots of folks post immediate questions and are looking for immediate answers.

Yea, I search sometimes but I usually scan the first one or two pages of posts the go from there.

I think flaming folks over "do a search" is a way of saying that poster saying "gee, I'm smarter than you because I inow how to search".

I do like it when posters says go look at this post. I think that helps.

 

[AZ Pete]

Yes, life would be so much simpler if folks would: answer the question, ignore it, or just bite their tongue if they are not going to be helpful.

 

[egnorant]

I posted a similar rant on another site when I got blasted for asking a simple question.

I had done the search and tried all the stuff that was posted and still had no relief.

Finally found a post addressing my problem from 4 years earlier and it used such fine terms as "thingy" and "poo covered" and was in a post about the accelerator pedal (I was seeking heater help). Actual fix took less than 5 second if you don't count putting on my shoes.

After my rant it came to light that 95% of the "do a search" replies were from 3 posters how rarely contributed.
Now we just direct them to a thread or answer the question...we are here to help!

Bruce

 

[BigGMC]

I can see both sides.

However, when I first joined GJ, I had a truckload of questions (and many of those spawned others), but instead of filling up threads with them, I read alot of what was already posted. I spent a good deal of time in the evenings reading GJ - questions were answered and alot of knowledge was somewhat absorbed.

Being a member of many forums throughout the years, I see the same questions being asked repeatedly. Dosen't matter if the forum is garage related or about underwater basket weaving, you spend enough time there, you'll see the same questions asked over and over.

I tend to just skip it, but some folks feel the need to add thier 2 cents. I believe that 90% of the time, the repetitive question askers are brand new members looking for an immediate answer. What ever happened to doing your own homework??

"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to search for fish........." LOL

 

[mayday0017]

I do agree it is normally a new guy that has questions and most likely didn't search, I just hate that people know the answer and instead of putting the time in to answer the question they put the same amount of time to tell them to go figure it out on their own.

I guess I'm just saying there is no "Value Added" by people saying "Search" either keep your mouth shut or give the answer, or maybe post a link to the thread that has the answer (best solution).

All and all it's not to big of a deal, I can't remember the last time someone told me to go search. I just hate when I see these threads cause I'm always thinking "Great another junk thread to pop up when I'm looking for something else".

 

[Stuey]

The thing is, some people want answers without expending an ounce of effort looking for the answers themselves. They want others to just spoonfeed them answers.

This happens over, and over, and over, and over, and over again.

Most people spend some time looking for answers and searching the forum, so people don't. As the type of person that tries to exhaust all search options before asking for help, I find this slightly frustrating. Most of the time I help out if I know the answer quick, or ignore the thread if I think the thread-starter is lazy or obnoxious.

Some people are deeply offended and feel the need to strike out. *shrug*

Why people would rather waste 20 seconds saying something negative than move on and say something positive elsewhere is beyond my comprehension.

If I know the answer is easy to find and feel like helping with a bit of snarkiness I use http://lmgtfy.com/

 

[MackMan]

I've been constantly irritated by this type of non-value-added response as well. Incidentally I almost always run a search before starting another topic, and often there may be threads on similar topics but not a direct answer to what I'm looking for. The other frequent problem is things aren't found easily in search. There have been several times when I knew that I had read about a topic and then spent an hour searching to find it again.

 

[Old Moparz]

I agree, it's not in the best interest of any forum to run off someone who is simply asking a question. If the question was conveniently ignored instead, it "might teach" that person how to search. Must be human internet nature though. If you're a **** in person, then a bigger **** online.

 

[wedge40]

Nothing worse then posting a question and having people reply with do a search. If my question is something I think is common, I will do a search and then decide to if I should post of not. If the only info I can find is more then a couple of years old I will usually re-post.
Lets face it a site that has been around for more then a couple of years almost all the questions have been ask before. And like the OP, I'm not a fan of when someone posts "It's been ask a bunch before do a search" Waste of band width in my book. Some people barely know how to post let alone do a search.

Wedge

 

[larry_g]

And there is my one irritant, the monthly drill bit question. Topic comes up on average once a month. As for searching I find this place quite hard to search. I know that I have answered the question before and usually have to go to advanced search and do the keyword and my name in the user blank and then sometimes have a hard time finding what I know is there. In another post Steevo quoted the word 'searchtard' and hit close to home here with that one.

Any way if I have to refer someone to a search I try to search out the answer for him, give a link to the thread, and then advise of the search terms I used and there are more hits to peruse.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[harrycaul]

The Debian forum is notorious for this, due to "ubuntards".

 

[Skyllz]

The more a question is answered in various formats and ways, the more chances it has to come up easily in a search when someone is looking for answer.

 

[Fastback]

Sorry, but why are we all contributing a database if nobody is willing to use it?

 

[BD1]

Some posters just don't have to invest in a search. They could be busy with school, working two jobs, providing transportation for kids, taking care of ma and pa, and the list goes on.
Other could be retired and could search for days ! Just kidding. Might just take 2 minutes to supply input for the poster.

 

[lilredex]

Methinks many people ask, because most search functions are duds and yield nothing.

Try one next time and then move it to Google or Million Short and word it " *** fl..... paint garage journal". A huge difference in the results.

 

[Stuey]

Some posters just don't have to invest in a search. They could be busy with school, working two jobs, providing transportation for kids, taking care of ma and pa, and the list goes on.
Other could be retired and could search for days ! Just kidding. Might just take 2 minutes to supply input for the poster.

That's not often the case. Much more often than not it's laziness.

Methinks many people ask, because most search functions are duds and yield nothing.

Try one next time and then move it to Google or Million Short and word it " *** fl..... paint garage journal". A huge difference in the results.

search term site:garagejournal.com works well for limited results to GJ only

 

[green.bubbly]

I seem to have trouble doing searches here and on another football website I frequent. Sometimes it is all about the word you search for. If it is too generic, it returns too may results. Too restrictive and it omits many related threads.

Sometimes you may not know the the correct term. Yes, duplicate threads are bothersome but then you get the guy show does a search a revives a thread that dies 5 years ago. Of course he then catches grief for that.

In the other forum I frequent, there is a group of volunteer moderators that merge related threads but being a football site, that is a big problem when news breaks. In two minutes, there are 25 threads on the same topic.

 

[kyles974]

good point.

posting a link, I think, would also motivate the person faster to use the search vs saying to use the search.

I say this because just the other day, in another part of GJ, I noticed, first time poster, asking a question that has been beat to death. I stated there was plenty of what he was looking for under a search, and even said, I was not trying to be rude.
Anyhow, the person, continued to ask, knowing he didnt use the search.,

I really beleive if I had posted even the link that showed the search, it could have saved another question from the OP with out searching.

 

[kyles974]

So, one question for you mayday.......

.....did you do I search prior to listing this new thread?



....just kidding,I know it's kinda irrelevant, BUT, had to say it though, bahaahaa

 

[Oldb]

I have spent time on many forums over the years. I will search to see if a topic is covered, and it seems reasonable to recomend a search prior to asking a question that may have been covered before.
I would like to add however that some of the worst instructors I have observed will answer "look it up" rather than take the time to answer a question.

B

 

[e-tek]

I'm here for the SOCIAL ASPECT, so I won't be flaming anyone for asking a questions - easy or not. I'd rather answer the same question every day over having people just search and never post - or worse - fear posting a question for fear of some a-hole who would rather reply "do a search" than just lend a guy a hand.

 

[Rodhotz]

I think they should put in their post "i have searched and came up empty" that way it looks like they have tried and are not looking for someone else to do their homework for them. And yes i am one of the dicks that will post to do a search. I do my homework first before asking and yes their is plenty of times that i could not find it right off the bat and had to search a little harder to find the answer. But then again i am the "teach a guy to fish" kinda guy.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Another web board I frequent has set up a frequently asked question section, with the top 20 or 30 questions that come from newbies. It comes in pretty handy, I refer to it from time to time myself.

For this board, a similar section would have responses for why you shouldn't use PVC pipe for compressed air, what size wire to use for a 100 amp service, How to hook up a generator, and should I put a pit in my garage floor.

 

[BD1]

If you did do a search, it could say from 2010. Since then technology, equipment, etc, may have made significant improvements. Plus, it will state what was done in the old days.

 

[Shadowdog500]

You mean stuff like the biweekly "What fluid should I put in my new parts washer", or the "what is the best way to set up air lines in your shop" posts.

I just ignore them now.

These threads are screaming for a sticky section.

The Harley page I visit actually came up with a sticky that lists threads for common items that come up frequently. This works pretty good because the threads chosen in the sticky build into extremely informative threads over a couple years.

Here is the sticky I'm talking about, seem to be the best way to handle stickys that I've seen so far. http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=465866

Chris

 

[BigGMC]

What should I use to coat my garage floor???

 

[71goldss]

I actually like finding as many threads on the same topic as I can. Many answers on the newer threads are from different or newer members, thus more views and info on the subject. Often newer threads have more up to date info as well.

 

[ddawg16]

Well.....we could always 'bang his wife'......

Had to get that in there....

Yea....I see both sides as well.....

Personally.....if you don't have the energy to answer the question....then you shouldn't have the energy to write "Do a Search".

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Well.....we could always 'bang his wife'......

Had to get that in there....

Yea....I see both sides as well.....

Personally.....if you don't have the energy to answer the question....then you shouldn't have the energy to write "Do a Search".

It is the classic ''Get off my Lawn !'' mentality. I have been here longer, it's my lawn, so get off of it you little newbie.

I think if you are on forums long enough, you will see that there are perennial issues that crop up and never change. This is one.

Generally, I think it is the duty of the regulars to make the newbies feel welcome and help them out. Or at least not drive them away. Guys who like garages range from multimillionaires to the kid who is just starting out. Even so, we have to stick together, and help each other to make our dreams a reality.

 

[bazzateer]

I'm here for the SOCIAL ASPECT, so I won't be flaming anyone for asking a questions - easy or not. I'd rather answer the same question every day over having people just search and never post - or worse - fear posting a question for fear of some a-hole who would rather reply "do a search" than just lend a guy a hand.

 

[drmarkr]

When it HAS been covered 10+ times and in complete threads, then why should I waste my time composing what will be but a piece of the info the person could get from the entire thread? I'll suggest searching..... for example "Hey guys, I'm about to start my new shop and I'm looking for some good ideas?!?!" That exact question still gets asked on here regularly.....

However, sometimes a question is asked that can be answered with a simple, concise reply. I think most on here do provide such.

 

[cariboo907]

I'm an admin on another forum, we actually have in our code of conduct that telling someone to search for an answer themselves is not an acceptable answer. Our biggest problem is we are seeing many new members (we have close to 2 million members) that don't seem to want to do any of the work themselves, and almost demand an answer to their question. Even providing them with a link to a post that will answer their question doesn't seem to be good enough for some of them.

 

[wedge40]

Here's an example. I was curious how far back to put a 2-post lift from the wall. I couldn't figure out the best words to put in the search. I tired lift, position, "position lift" and still had hundreds if not more returns and no info I was looking for. After a while you give and just up and just post a new question, even though it's been answered before many time.

I finally found a couple of manuals and found their recommendations.

Wedge

 

[Zeke]

Not one person has mentioned Boolean search functions. Jack Olsen has posted a tutorial on how to search for results including using Google with the terms you choose and then "garage journal." This will bring up threads with even 2 letters in the terms whereas the forums search requires a min of 3 letters.

So, for instance, if you're over in the electrical forum and want info on GE breakers, you won't get it unless you go around to the back door using Google.

If you want to know more about Boolean, do a search.

 

[Rodhotz]

Not one person has mentioned Boolean search functions. Jack Olsen has posted a tutorial on how to search for results including using Google with the terms you choose and then "garage journal." This will bring up threads with even 2 letters in the terms whereas the forums search requires a min of 3 letters.

So, for instance, if you're over in the electrical forum and want info on GE breakers, you won't get it unless you go around to the back door using Google.

If you want to know more about Boolean, do a search.

You mean like this; http://www.internettutorials.net/boolean.asp
Took all of half a sec to pull up.