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Use the Search Function Rant

jtarkany

jtarkany

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That's why we have one.

When I first joined this forum, many great people welcomed me with open arms, and many of them referred to the awesome search function on this site in their greeting.

Then I started seeing questions regarding topics that had been asked and answered before, the unanimous response was...

"Use the Search Function...If you still can't find it then ask."

Then somebody's feelings got hurt, and it was no longer politically correct to suggest using the search function, so now...

...we have many new mwmbers wanting to know about, filters, exhaust, tires, and god forbid OIL

Well my old/new response,

USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION, IF YOU STILL CAN'T FIND IT THEN ASK

Man, am I glad to get that off of my chest, thanks for your patience :D

One final thing, which oil is best for my bike when I am using a fuel additive like NOS?
212316-1_super.jpg
 
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

This is something that's been bugging the crap out of me for a while now, but as you said, it's become taboo (and apparently rude) to suggest to a new member that they utilize the search function. If done in a friendly manner, I see absolutely NOTHING wrong with that suggestion.

To new members: As you've probably already learned, this site is a goldmine of information, dating back a long time. If you'll just utilize the search function FIRST before asking what will surely turn out to be a "general" question, you'll find more information than any 10 of us old members could give you in a thread. Let me stress that there's nothing wrong with asking a question, as that's what we're all here for, to help each other out. But you can save yourself (and others) time, effort...and frustration...if you'll search first and then ask if you don't find the information you need.

Thanks jtarkany for stating what, I'm sure, many of us have been thinking!
 
I searched for search function but couldn`t find it :Ø=)

I totally agree with you. I wrote a thread recently that this site revolves round threads about Which screen, sliders, what seat, how fast, oil, How do I change my oil (WTF). What gear do I ride in...shall I buy?????

We have done all these topics to death. I could write a book on them using the search button.

When people join the forum they should have an e-mail sent to them explaining the decorum of the site and what facilities there are, including the search function. I am in 3 Moto Guzzi sites and in 2 countries and thats what they sent me. I don`t see the same subjects being raised again and again on those sites.

So if you are quite new on here USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION before you ask. If you don`t know where it is. Look towards the top of the page under your name box on the right. It is the third tab in and says SEARCH.

Steve
 
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Maybe someone should post a rant about people starting up long dead threads obviously revived by the search function for new members here as well. Then we can have a hypocrisy party!

Seriously, while I think the search function is a great feature and certainly important, it is nowhere near as good as being able to actually start a discussion with other forum members and actively participate in the communication that goes on.
People who complain about threads asking for an opinion always seem to be the same people who can't stand to have anyone else disagreeing with them.
Most of the old threads are just full of people argueing over whats best, and often contain little to no useful information without slogging through many many many pages of posts. New members generally pick up on who is an active and knowledgeable member as they participate in the forum, which means being part of a thread is likely to get their interests aligned with other like minded members, and they get a result that suits them. Which is afterall what most people want.

It would probably suck if you met up with friends at a pub or party and started a conversation about bikes and your friends replied with "Look we've talked about bikes, the subject is closed." This would particularly suck if you got a new riding mate who came to meet these friends.

Suggesting someone uses the search feature certainly shouldn't be an issue, although I have seen on several occasions people do it in a rude and tactless manner which would turn alot of new members off the forum entirely.
If you really find the new threads that painful you have lots of options, the easiest being not to participate, the hardest most likely being to convince everyone what your suggesting is right :P There is also lots of middle ground without upsetting most people.
 
I found the search function extremely helpful when I did my HID conversion. It answered most of my questions. I PMed Boneman for a very specific question on where to pick up 12V switched power for the angel eyes when I couldn't find the answer through the search function, since he already did the conversion. I agree to tactfully suggest using the search function on topics that clearly have the answer to the question 50 times over.
 
I agree. The one that I really love to see are the threads where someone wants us to write down every manufacturer, pro, con, attribute and price of every _______. Then which is better. And do we have any pictures we can give them?
 
in my humble opinion this never bothered me that much. if someone wrote a thread about something that doesn't spark any interest in me to want to post in it. i simply won't. someone forgot to search? another oil thread? big deal........ not. :D
 
For what it's worth.....As a relatively new member to the Forum I am reminded that it was quite confusing and overwhelming to me for a bit. The site has so many options and opportunities for various functions that it took a while to sort things out. Even simple things like posting or posting pics, PM-ing, etc. can take a while to understand and get comfy in application. Especially if you've never experienced a forum of any kind before (like me). The only way to sort the Forum out is to USE it. If you post in the wrong place or don't use the search function well enough for a bit....so be it. In my opinion it should be about encouraging new members to "go for it". Grow in to the Forum and contribute where you can. Is it really that important that all posts be previously researched or totally relevant to the thread? I kinda like the fact that it isn't always about being "PC". Or should we say "FC" (for "Forum Correct"). :D
 
I typically will tell a member to use the search function but also offer some key words that I know work. One point that is always missed is telling them it has to be 4 or more characters so that when they search for OIL, HID, MPG, etc... they don't thet the "Sorry...." page. When I suggest this to them, it is never anything less than encouraging or friendly.

Perhaps we should develop a short "Welcome Message" that gives them some basic guidelines and links to certain functions? I know the forum can automatically PM and/or email a new user who signs in. Just a thought...
 
I belong to several forums and must say vBulletins search function is really appalling.

Anyone who would like to get decent search results, I'd suggest use Google site search. Just type into google:

site:600riders.com then your search terms
 
I ok with newbies posting I understand its difficult to navigate a huge site like this if you are not fam with being a member of the forum,

But I also agree with not having 100 of duplicate posts... it a double sided coin..

I am not sure what the solution is.. of that there is one..........

I think the mods and I will start to merge duplicate posts / topics......
 
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if you don't want to help people then DON'T. it's pretty simple. there are a ton of threads i don't respond to. i have seen people who have tactfully shared a bit of information and then let people know that they will probably be able to find much more if they search for it. i have used the search function. it is great.

BUT there are times when someone thinks a subject has been done to death and it still doesn't make sense to me. or there is a part that isn't answered. what am i left to do? i guess it's get no help from one of the most helpful boards there is. isn't that ironic.

right now i have a question about oil. i have dug through the monstrosity we call the oil thread that someone decided would be a good idea to put everything that mentioned oil all together regardless if they are talking about the same thing so that you never know what you're reading and have to keep referring to the titles and keep it straight in your head he last time you read that title. it's about as annoying as reading a long run on sentence. i had someone pm that they too would like to discuss things on here like oil but we are left to cower in a corner like a scared little abused puppy.

for crying out loud... is there anything new to discuss? i got an idea. how about we lock up the whole site and just make it a search function. i'm a genius. could we do that? :rockon:

by all means, refer someone to the search function. it's great. but it's not a crime to talk to each other or to post a question.
 
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Good idea on the merge.

On a Buell site I visit the search is a total joke and the same topics come up with in days of one another. The site isn't vBulletin, looks like 10 year old html to me, so this isn't bad at all.

I wonder is there is way to "bucket" common topics better? (Just thinking aloud here)
 
Kriswithak said:
Maybe someone should post a rant about people starting up long dead threads obviously revived by the search function for new members here as well. Then we can have a hypocrisy party!
Click to expand...
:thumbup:


Kriswithak said:
Seriously, while I think the search function is a great feature and certainly important, it is nowhere near as good as being able to actually start a discussion with other forum members and actively participate in the communication that goes on.

People who complain about threads asking for an opinion always seem to be the same people who can't stand to have anyone else disagreeing with them.
Most of the old threads are just full of people argueing over whats best, and often contain little to no useful information without slogging through many many many pages of posts. New members generally pick up on who is an active and knowledgeable member as they participate in the forum, which means being part of a thread is likely to get their interests aligned with other like minded members, and they get a result that suits them. Which is afterall what most people want.

It would probably suck if you met up with friends at a pub or party and started a conversation about bikes and your friends replied with "Look we've talked about bikes, the subject is closed." This would particularly suck if you got a new riding mate who came to meet these friends.
Click to expand...

so well said. so much better than what i wrote. thank you.
 
Hmm maybe the admins can come up with a polite smiley way of saying use search function (RTFM) similar to :needpics:

Something that displays the appropriate message & says "thread closed"
 
every internet forum has this issue. most search engines on forum boards are useless....the one here is decent at least.
 
I agree it is great to get into discussions on here and I don`t like to see posts with 0 replies. But the repeat posts do get a bit wearing.

I hope this post has educated some of the guys.

I find the search function on here to be very good.

Steve
 
I'm pretty new around here, and I have found a ton of useful stuff using the search function. Having said that, sometimes the useful information I need is on page 19 of a 54 page thread. And though I have read through the entire 54 page thread, and 4 other threads about the same topic, sometimes finding the specific information I need when I want to find it again....is frustrating to say the least. Sometimes, the information on page 19 tells me that the information on pages one and two is outdated and doesn't even work anymore.

It's a forum, it's supposed to be interactive. We all come here to find new and interesting ideas and discuss them while avoiding doing our jobs. Some topics are bound to be repeated. Obviously, there is a line somewhere. Nobody wants to post the same crap in answer to the same question every other day. But it is still an interactive, living and changing forum, not a library. Treat it as such.
 
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