do a search!!

Couldn't agree more.

The world is neither white nor black, it is grey.

Some questions are definitively answered in past threads, so doing a search can be the only resource necessary. As you mention the world does not stand still and new products come on the market, so it is always good to pop a thread up and see if there is anything new out.

Sometimes there are soo many matches to a thread reading them all would take 1/2 hour and its easier to pop up a new thread

As with anything...a balance is needed.

I am a relative newcomber to this site (6 or so months) . Ive read so many threads on what battery should i buy, what fridge should i buy and solar vs generator im going mental.

But there is always a stream of new visitors or members who are still learning their way around that dont search...its the same on every forum. They need to be encouraged not shot down for asking, as they may have other things to contribute.

I fully appreciate people who get sick of hearing the same old questions, and it does get annoying...

Patience isnt considered a virtue for nothing

Rev

Terry,

You are quite correct re the world not standing still and quite probably the correct/best answer has not been posted. However, there is quite a deal of knowledge and experience that has been posted and sometimes the answer to a question can quite easily be found by doing a search.

I get answers to a lot of my questions by doing a search and not having to post. Depends on the question though, does'nt it. :)))))

Regards

All so Often a search will not tell you what you want to know as it may be a specific question you would like to ask about a item or something you want clarified after you have done a search.

If everybody did a search the forum would sit still, after all haven’t most topics been covered before?
Tyres, suspension, Bio-diesel, cruiser or patrol, why cruiser and patrols are better than everything else, Coopers are chits MTRs are the best, 3.0l Patrol blowing up, winch/ bull bars, fridge’s and so forth.

I think regular users of the site guage a feel for what topics are searchable and what are postable.

Of course a lot of situations are unique and need answering as such, and yes if no one ever posted a topic that was in the archives...the site would die.

however its rarely the regulars that post the topics that hail a 'do a search', as they've been on here long enough to soak up that wisdom.

Its impossible to get the newies to use their heads and search before posting and frankly, its probably good interaction for them at the start....if they get their question answered satisfactorily in a thread, they may stick around.

rather than searching the info...leaving the site and not bothering to respond to any threads they may have expertise in.

There is no clear cut answer on this question you guys and its arrogance to think there is.

Rev

Terry I agree 100% - there was a similar post a while ago and some of the older members (in membership, not necessarily age) sometimes get a bit short at having to give replies over again. But as you say the forum is for members and visitors and answers can change over time. So as the saying goes the really dumb question is the one you dont ask

No such thing as silly questions.......Only silly answers!

Agree with your comments; have to admit it annoys me when I see "do a search".
I think it can come across as being a bit offensive sometimes depending on how it's worded.

"Do a search"

or

"There's allot of good info on this subject in the archives if you feel like doing a search"

A bit more typing but I know which one would encourage me to become more active on the forum

Keith

What would help would an easier way to get access to FAQ's - we already have them here on Solar Power, Battery Power etc.

If it were easier for members to contribute to them, then I think more members would make the effort to summarise the learnings from a thread once there had been a reasonable debate on it.

A discussion has just started on keeping ants out tents - it would be graet to have the learnings from that saved, rather than fading into the Archives. It doesn't have to be a single Exploroz opinion - it could be "Sgme people are convinced Alternators never charge above 70%, others are convinced they will charge a battery fully".

If we had a manageable number of FAQ's then instead answering a newbie with "Do a search", it will be easy to answer "Look at Exploroz FAQ 1234"

I've seen a member-managed FAQ work in other Forums.

Mike

Rather ironic that this thread appears after posting a question and getting the do a search response. Maybe my response was a little short in another post but it's along the same vain as what others have replied here

>>>>>
oh please enlighten me more with the search function. Or maybe you could just do the search for me to find the answers to the questions I have asked? Do you know for a fact that the questions have been answered in earlier posts? Maybe I have done a search already and couldn't find the answers. Maybe I don't have as much time as some to troll through old posts. but if you notice the exhaust posts are mostly for the 4.2td.

Leroy

FollowUp 2 of 3 posted 21 Mar 2006 at 20:42 - (FollowupID: 416721)
Member - Pezza (QLD) posted this followup

With an attitude like that it makes me wonder why I even bothered to try and help, no worries, won't bother next time.

Pezza
" NO FEAR " means you're not going fast enough!
View Members Rig & Profile


FollowUp 3 of 3 posted 22 Mar 2006 at 06:54 - (FollowupID: 416803)
Leroy posted this followup

Didn't mean to rub you up the wrong way but you've been around long enough to know I've been around long enough to know where the search button is. If you read my question you would see I am refering to an old post that I must of searched for!
I just get annoyed with people that give replies of 'have you done a search?' especially when it appears from my question I have.

There are heaps of questions that get repeatedly asked but
conditions and situations change, life is not static otherwise we would not need a forum only a big fat FAQ!
>>>>>
Leroy

I don't mind seeing a new post about old topics. If I'm interested I look, if it is about tyres (again) I don't open it.

"Do a search" is a rude answer, a pointer to a post would be much more friendly.

Cheers

Petet

Yep....Guilty of being rude and inconsiderate at times.

Will try to moderate my ways and be plurry NICE to everyone

From GRUMPY OLD MAN.....lol

Maybe we should say when replying to a post;

"The answer lies here....... and if you do a search of the Archives, then you may gain additional information to help you find the right answers to your question"

Truckster take note.....LOLOL

Totally agree. If i wanted to search I would have before i posted, if I chose not to search, then everyone can choose to answer me or not. hahaha