Before a new post

[rebeccajo 14]

To be honest, you can make it as big as you want and people still won't read it, or won't understand what they read. Maybe we need to rotate our vets on a daily schedule so they don't get burned out (plus, if no one jumps up to answer their questions, then maybe the newbies will read.)

There's always people ready to jump and answer the question.

Dunno. Maybe it's not something that cannot be solved. There's almost an 'instantaneous' response time in this community.

It's probably just easier to ask than research.

[MaRob 0]

Maybe if there was a confirmation pop-up when you click post, before you can post a new topic... like... "Have you tried to find your answer in the guides, are you sure you REALLY want to post this?" Or "Are you sure you really want to ask this stupid question before reading the guides and be exposed to all the ridicule of VJ?" hehe.. something like that

[rebeccajo 14]

Maybe if there was a confirmation pop-up when you click post, before you can post a new topic... like... "Have you tried to find your answer in the guides, are you sure you REALLY want to post this?" Or "Are you sure you really want to ask this stupid question before reading the guides and be exposed to all the ridicule of VJ?" hehe.. something like that

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Just to clarify - none of the posts I saw which prompted my thread were IMO 'stupid'.

Many were, however........well, lazy.

[Mags 112]

This strays away from the original question a little, but it does kind of cover the "cluttering" of many forums with similar/same questions. What I've been thinking about is more merging of topics. If in a couple of days, there have been a few topics asking the same question, then perhaps they could be merged more?

That way, all the answers would be in one thread and the OP, who asked the repeated question, might understand that had he/she looked a little harder the answer may have been right there in the first place. A PM explaining the action would also clarify it to the OP a little better, perhaps.

Just a thought.

Edited August 17, 2007 by Mags

[Dr_LHA 3]

The main issue is that people don't often seem to think too hard before posting. Also people seem to be unaware of Google etc. The amount of times I've seen stuff posted (not just here) that could be answered by deleting the words "What is a" and typing the rest into Google, I've lost count of.

Some people will research hard before asking questions, some will just fire away.

Sadly I doubt big red warning signs will change that much.

[GabachaYucateca 0]

That's funny that you say that, Dr...I was thinking as I scrolled down, Google, Google! And there I saw that you'd said the same!

Also, wouldn't it be nice if people thought about whether their response addresses a legitimate question asked or whether it contributes to the endless bickering that is so frequent around here.

Can't count how many times I've seen legitimate, well-explained questions by newbies deteriorate into back and forth swipes. I wonder how many newbies have decided not to return because of this.

[rebeccajo 14]

That's funny that you say that, Dr...I was thinking as I scrolled down, Google, Google! And there I saw that you'd said the same!

Also, wouldn't it be nice if people thought about whether their response addresses a legitimate question asked or whether it contributes to the endless bickering that is so frequent around here.

Can't count how many times I've seen legitimate, well-explained questions by newbies deteriorate into back and forth swipes. I wonder how many newbies have decided not to return because of this.

I agree there's no need for something to deteriorate. A little common courtesy goes a long way. Sadly that seems to be lacking as much as the use of the Search function.

[StillThePrettiest 3]

as a relative n00b venturing in amongst you stalwarts -

the Search function IS quite hit and miss, I find; right from the start I've used it, but only occasionally found what I was after (even though I later found out that the information I wanted WAS out there)

is there any way to split the search into 'topic titles' and 'post content'? we have that on a board I moderate, and it helps immensely; I think it would work here very well if it were possible, as many of the good threads have clear, appropriate titles

or is there any way to build a semi-search into new posts? eg if I make a thread titled 'what is a touch?', when I go to publish it I get referred to where that word is mentioned in the FAQs? I know that sounds complex but I've seen similar things on other sites... I have no knowledge of code though so it could be very difficult to set up

otherwise I think MaRob's suggestion is great - it doesn't have to be rude, but it could be frank; just saying 'THINK FIRST!' or some subtle variant thereof

[PlatyPius 5]

When a member posts a question, there's the lovely little request above the window to "Please consider reading the FAQ's and Guides before posting" and the happy little smiley with his signage.

This obviously is not working.

Can we have something a bit more 'out there'? Could it be in RED? Could it also politely say "have you used the search function of this forum to find your answer?".

I can honestly say that today, I see soooooooooo many questions where the answer is EASILY obtainable just by scrolling down the first page of the forum. I know we don't want to be unfriendly to new members or someone with a legit question, but IMO something somewhere is broken.

I purposely have not answered any of those questions today.

What is broken, is society. I own a message board and am admin at another. Mags is admin at 2 or 3 boards as well. No matter what the subject of the board is, this is a Universal Truth: People are lazy gits. This is an Instant society. I want it now. I don't want to research, I want someone to tell me. It's how we are raising our kids, and it's what we've learned ourselves over the last 20 years or so.

A million admins on a million boards have tried to find a way to keep newbies from asking obvious, redundant, or idiotic questions. None have succeeded. The only thing that seems to help at all is to blast each one as it's posted. And all that does really is give the older member a sense of happiness; it does nothing for the "do the work for me!" Newbie.

If any of y'all figure it out, let me know. I have a few boards I'd like to use the magic method on.

[Fandango 1,440]

When a member posts a question, there's the lovely little request above the window to "Please consider reading the FAQ's and Guides before posting" and the happy little smiley with his signage.

This obviously is not working.

Can we have something a bit more 'out there'? Could it be in RED? Could it also politely say "have you used the search function of this forum to find your answer?".

I can honestly say that today, I see soooooooooo many questions where the answer is EASILY obtainable just by scrolling down the first page of the forum. I know we don't want to be unfriendly to new members or someone with a legit question, but IMO something somewhere is broken.

I purposely have not answered any of those questions today.

What is broken, is society. I own a message board and am admin at another. Mags is admin at 2 or 3 boards as well. No matter what the subject of the board is, this is a Universal Truth: People are lazy gits. This is an Instant society. I want it now. I don't want to research, I want someone to tell me. It's how we are raising our kids, and it's what we've learned ourselves over the last 20 years or so.

A million admins on a million boards have tried to find a way to keep newbies from asking obvious, redundant, or idiotic questions. None have succeeded. The only thing that seems to help at all is to blast each one as it's posted. And all that does really is give the older member a sense of happiness; it does nothing for the "do the work for me!" Newbie.

If any of y'all figure it out, let me know. I have a few boards I'd like to use the magic method on.

Agreed completely.

But hey, it's not a total loss...newbs are apparantly great fodder for conversation!

[Sheriff Uling 3]

This strays away from the original question a little, but it does kind of cover the "cluttering" of many forums with similar/same questions. What I've been thinking about is more merging of topics. If in a couple of days, there have been a few topics asking the same question, then perhaps they could be merged more?

That way, all the answers would be in one thread and the OP, who asked the repeated question, might understand that had he/she looked a little harder the answer may have been right there in the first place. A PM explaining the action would also clarify it to the OP a little better, perhaps.

Just a thought.

Hmmmm!!! Merging topics might not be a bad idea, but that's labor intensive for moderators/organizers that are already taxed with other things. Plus, it would be another long drawn out angry thread by some member who doesn't like it or their thread was merged which made them go on a rampage. Moderators/Organizers can do it when they can and if it they can but we're not expecting you guys to bust your buns on this particular effort. It's crazy enough trying to rearange all the threads posted in the wrong forums.

Edited August 18, 2007 by Sheriff Uling

[Mags 112]

When a member posts a question, there's the lovely little request above the window to "Please consider reading the FAQ's and Guides before posting" and the happy little smiley with his signage.

This obviously is not working.

Can we have something a bit more 'out there'? Could it be in RED? Could it also politely say "have you used the search function of this forum to find your answer?".

I can honestly say that today, I see soooooooooo many questions where the answer is EASILY obtainable just by scrolling down the first page of the forum. I know we don't want to be unfriendly to new members or someone with a legit question, but IMO something somewhere is broken.

I purposely have not answered any of those questions today.

What is broken, is society. I own a message board and am admin at another. Mags is admin at 2 or 3 boards as well. No matter what the subject of the board is, this is a Universal Truth: People are lazy gits. This is an Instant society. I want it now. I don't want to research, I want someone to tell me. It's how we are raising our kids, and it's what we've learned ourselves over the last 20 years or so.

A million admins on a million boards have tried to find a way to keep newbies from asking obvious, redundant, or idiotic questions. None have succeeded. The only thing that seems to help at all is to blast each one as it's posted. And all that does really is give the older member a sense of happiness; it does nothing for the "do the work for me!" Newbie.

If any of y'all figure it out, let me know. I have a few boards I'd like to use the magic method on.

Agreed completely.

Yup, the other boards I admin at are to do with completely different subjects and STILL you get the gnubies asking the easiest of questions.

To be honest, the only thing I can think of is installing a buzzer that attaches to the keyboard. Inbuilt into this buzzer is a sensor that can detect easily answered questions. If you type one of these in, it makes a loud honking sound.

[Jamie76 0]

What's a touch?

I think this is like the dog chasing its tail. You can talk all you want about how to change this, but in the end, there will always be new members, and there will also always be those individuals who will ask questions that have been asked 1 million and 1 times. So...perhaps we just answer the questions, or those who feel they don't want to, don't. I think in the end, there are more important things to worry about in life than whether a question is being asked too many times or why people are not researching before asking a question.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Rebeccajo...

We should request that Capt Ewok add, "Please consider reading the FAQ's, Guides, and utilize the Search function before posting questions" to the Terms and Rules that new members must to agree to when registering an account with VJ.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

p.s. - I know that some folks may or may not read it there either, but it's better to get it out there somewhere than to leave it unwritten nowhere.

[rebeccajo 14]

Rebeccajo...

We should request that Capt Ewok add, "Please consider reading the FAQ's, Guides, and utilize the Search function before posting questions" to the Terms and Rules that new members must to agree to when registering an account with VJ.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

p.s. - I know that some folks may or may not read it there either, but it's better to get it out there somewhere than to leave it unwritten nowhere.

I think that's what i wrote in my original post...........................