Why don't people use the search function more?

[agarcha]

I have been sort of noticing the trend in the subsection of this forum quite a bit. It seems that every three to four days people start a new thread about a lens, its qualities, weaknesses, and comparison to other times... even though they have already been discussed in detail in threads before. Why?

My theory is that when others respond to a thread personally started by you, you feel as if they really care about helping you out and are probably giving you the best possible information. As opposed to other threads discussing the same topic... because that is just someone talking on the internets.

[BrianS]

Now if we could only find another thread on the same subject then this would be REALLY ironic :cool: (I could only find one from 2004).....

ok, I go back to sleep now...

[asysin2leads]

That is the million dollar question. Most times it's just from ignorance (a lack of knowledge). Other times it's just total laziness. It's not like Pekka and the mods haven't made it idiot proof. The search is right at the top and "Similar Threads" section at the bottom.

[Space]

Because most people think it's an original thought.

[ooo]

Well you wouldn't need a forum, just have a very large FAQ or compile a book out of all the questions and use the best responses.

The thing is everyone has a different budget / gear / purpose with photography.

Another thing, how often do people revive old threads? People don't like reading through thousands of posts to find the information they need.

[h0rde]

This sort of thing, in my experience, happens on every forum, everywhere. The main culprits are new people who assume that nobody has ever asked their question before, but sometimes veterans are guilty of the same sort of thing. It doesn't matter how many FAQs there are, people will ignore them and just post blindly.

Realistic solution? Make it mandatory to read the FAQs (make people take a short quiz on it and pass) in the registration process.

[ssracer]

Trust me...I am on several forums, most of which are car related, and this is a widespread epidemic...lol

On one board I am on for my model of car there is at least one or two people a week who will start a thread asking about doing an engine swap that is basically impossible. All ask about the exact same engine. One quick search would have given them dozens of identical threads..

[ed rader]

I have been sort of noticing the trend in the subsection of this forum quite a bit. It seems that every three to four days people start a new thread about a lens, its qualities, weaknesses, and comparison to other times... even though they have already been discussed in detail in threads before. Why?

My theory is that when others respond to a thread personally started by you, you feel as if they really care about helping you out and are probably giving you the best possible information. As opposed to other threads discussing the same topic... because that is just someone talking on the internets.

if we do it your way there would only be one new thread a week....but at least it won't be about someone whining about using the search feature ;).

ed rader

[mwolfe]

Sometimes the information can change, or it wasn't fully answered in the original thread, or new people might be able to shed some light or an opinion on it. Other times a thread will fall completely off course and it's better to start a new one than deal with all of the tangents.

I've started a few threads here that are definitely fall into the "repost" category, but it wasn't because I didn't search and read the old threads first.

[bohdank]

I swear there are some threads started and posts made that serve no purpose other than to add to their post totals... oops...like this one :-)

[angryhampster]

HAY GUYS I NEED A WIDE ANGEL IS THE 10-20 SIGMA AS GOOD AS THE CANON 10-20


edit:
ALSO PLZ TELL ME WHY TO USE A HOOD THX

[brianch]

because if everyone did that this forum would be boring. Noone would ask questions, we would have nothing to answer, whats the fun in that? There are always new questions from new users. It's always good to vexx our brains.

[monty28428]

I swear there are some threads started and posts made that serve no purpose other than to add to their post totals... oops...like this one :-)

ROFL! (oops... dang just added to mine as well...)

[jacobsen1]

because if everyone did that this forum would be boring.

+1

if you don't want to keep answering the same questions again and again, don't both replying... But seriously, at least with photo gear, a lot of the time the answers vary by user, budget and what they shoot....

[MuahMan]

Which lens is better? The 24-70L or the 24-105L!!?!?!?! :rolleyes:

[bohdank]

Should I get the 70-200 f4 or the f2.8 ?

I just got the 200/f2... any ideas what I can shoot with it ?

What's the best lens for taking pictures of ducks ?

I don't have any lenses.... should I get the 24mm or the 400mm ?

And another post for my totals.... hehe

[DAMphyne]

I did a search of "why members don't use the search function"
Try it.

[photoguy6405]

There are several reasons here that I think touch on why people do that, but I think the best answer is that it'd be just a boring FAQ board if people did do that. Just because this is the internet, doesn't make people any less of social beings. We still want to "connect" with people, even if it is through a keyboard and words on a monitor.

As for me, sometimes I search, and sometimes I don't. I did a buttload of research on tilt-shift lenses and Arca-type systems recently, and was rewarded immensely. OTOH, sometimes I'm looking more for little nuances or current information. Could be any number of reason for going either way.

[Ry-Cam]

#1 - The search function is on a menu. It should be an open box at the top that I can just start typing into.

#2 - The search function returns a lot of "old" information. Maybe people are looking for fresh opinions.

I'm from the same school as the poster, and definitely recommend searching before asking. That, and reboot your computer before asking me for any help!

[ooo]

I did a search of "why members don't use the search function"
Try it.

I was bored. I can't believe I did it.

[Zeth]

I agree. This is one of the only forums where users aren't constantly, snidely, remarking that posters should search first. :)

[Fade2]

Now if we could only find another thread on the same subject then this would be REALLY ironic :cool: (I could only find one from 2004).....

ok, I go back to sleep now...


I was thinking the ame thing lol

Get over it!

[DreDaze]

another good question is why is this posted in the lens section when it clearly belongs in the forum talk section :)

i think most don't want to hijack someone elses thread by posting their question within it...i typically post a link to other threads along the same lines, but each situation is different

[samurairx7]

because if everyone did that this forum would be boring. Noone would ask questions, we would have nothing to answer, whats the fun in that? There are always new questions from new users. It's always good to vexx our brains.

indeed to every question there's is also another new fresh opinion plus seriously? question: "17-50 vs 17-55" pages: 1-564, i can understand a archive or review maybe but i'm pretty sure within that 564 pages the same answer would be said again and again.

[agarcha]

I did a search of "why members don't use the search function"
Try it.

I did a search for "search function" before posting and two threads came up, none of which related to the topic at hand but point well taken. :)

I understand that the some questions are specialized, so getting some personalized advice would be great. In fact, I love reading those threads and how people solve those specific problems. It's a great way for me to learn too!

However, a lot of the questions are generic, which have been addressed to death by the users on the board. I think a pretty cool idea would be to start a wiki of sorts that would have the pertinent information about the equipment and maybe an image gallery where users could upload all pictures taken by INSERT LENS here. I don't know... just throwing the idea out there to the mods. ;)

[xhack]

I dunno . . . .I reckon the Mods and members here should take a bow for being one of the most tolerant, helpful and polite forums on Teh IntahNet.

Noobs are treated gently, given info or gently pointed to relevant threads. Those for whom English is not a first language - or are just plain illiterate - are treated with respect. There are very few Grammar ****s round here. Every forum has its pompous, self-important gits; their posts are not usually moderated - just left hanging there like a fart in a spacesuit - while the rest of us point and laugh quietly to ourselves.

And there's just SO MUCH good information and expertise kicking around here. It's a rare visit where I don't pick up good info or another slant on a preconception.

Just saying . . . .

[scrumpy]

HAY GUYS I NEED A WIDE ANGEL IS THE 10-20 SIGMA AS GOOD AS THE CANON 10-20


edit:
ALSO PLZ TELL ME WHY TO USE A HOOD THX

...and DON'T SHOUT! We read you loud and clear ;)

[Froggeh]

As a noob to this forum, I used the search forum and processed all the information I could, then started a similar thread. I didn't resurrect one that was more than a month old because on other forums there are often accusations of gravedigging.

Now it turns out I should've done, despite me letting the thread go cold because having received some good advice, my next post would've been significantly different from my initial posting in topic (got feedback, listened, had thoughts, did more research, about to post)

If someone has familiarity with an existing thread and the topic changes (at all) then often this is missed as the thread conversation is considered closed, so people might not want to post a new question on page 5 of someone else's post, and as someone above me said, might not want to 'hijack' the topic with a 'me too' request. Forum etiquette changes from forum to forum and unless there are clear guidelines reinforced throughout. (eg. responding to a new 70-200 post with "Hi, this post has already been answered here (#) and there is a search function here (#) which would have brought it up, and moderators are willing to move new topics onto the end of old threads, I can't see this happening.

As a noob with a repetitive question, thanks for answering it and thanks for making me feel welcome. Hopefully I'll give others the value I'm being given one day, or in a different subject area!

cheers

[agarcha]

As a noob to this forum, I used the search forum and processed all the information I could, then started a similar thread. I didn't resurrect one that was more than a month old because on other forums there are often accusations of gravedigging.

Now it turns out I should've done, despite me letting the thread go cold because having received some good advice, my next post would've been significantly different from my initial posting in topic (got feedback, listened, had thoughts, did more research, about to post)

If someone has familiarity with an existing thread and the topic changes (at all) then often this is missed as the thread conversation is considered closed, so people might not want to post a new question on page 5 of someone else's post, and as someone above me said, might not want to 'hijack' the topic with a 'me too' request. Forum etiquette changes from forum to forum and unless there are clear guidelines reinforced throughout. (eg. responding to a new 70-200 post with "Hi, this post has already been answered here (#) and there is a search function here (#) which would have brought it up, and moderators are willing to move new topics onto the end of old threads, I can't see this happening.

As a noob with a repetitive question, thanks for answering it and thanks for making me feel welcome. Hopefully I'll give others the value I'm being given one day, or in a different subject area!

cheers

What you said makes a lot of sense. I hadn't really thought of it from that perspective before.

[Chosenbydestiny]

Is it the same reason as "Why people don't post threads in the correct category?" Just wondering! And don't worry, I did a search first before posting. =P

[olly_k]

This sort of thing, in my experience, happens on every forum, everywhere. The main culprits are new people who assume that nobody has ever asked their question before, but sometimes veterans are guilty of the same sort of thing. It doesn't matter how many FAQs there are, people will ignore them and just post blindly.

Realistic solution? Make it mandatory to read the FAQs (make people take a short quiz on it and pass) in the registration process.

Jeez if you don't like what a forum is about then make your FAQ somewhere else! To me it is ridiculous to think that these places would survive at all if old frequently asked questions weren't allowed. There are also slightly different slants to problems and times and ideas change with new input etc...

I often read old threads and then ask a similar question either to satisfy or confirm what I have read or just because I think there may be an alternative answer.

I think people who have been in the game for some time get frustrated but really if they want to come here to chat then why not go on some chat boards? I am sure the old q's can be ignored by them to?

[Tessa]

and maybe an image gallery where users could upload all pictures taken by INSERT LENS here. I don't know... just throwing the idea out there to the mods. ;)
Ahem... did you use the search function? ;) --> Lens Sample Photo Archive (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=107)

[darosk]

I don't use search because it's much more fun to annoy forum veterans and experts.

And don't lie - you guys know you like it ;)

[HSK]

Is there some kind of forum plug-in in that throws up suggestions on the fly while you enter the thread title? (for other similar threads) And have a requirement to enter the thread title first before someone wastes their time typing the whole post...

[S.Horton]

I think that people post to start a conversation.

[bohdank]

It's all good.

[Derbyshire Weddings]

Some folks are just too idle to engage their brain :-)

[chrisb321]

Rule 4.9 of this forum:
If you know an answer to a question either answer it or say nothing. Giving newbies blunt answers like "search the forum" is not allowed - please use the typing effort to giving the answer instead. Or just give the link to that post you wished the newbie should have searched for. Respect newbies - you were a newbie once.

Don't let it bother you, it's not worth it.
If everyone feels the same way it will drop off the first page in a matter of hours depending on activity. Then again if there were that many less posts due to lack of reposts it could be at the top for days !

With that said I do agree that it would be nice to see less of the obvious repeated questions, ie lens comparisons.....

[neil_g]

ive set up a reply template for threads about a sigma 70-200..

[Ursie]

I've noticed that Adobe forums have this kind of requirement. They scream at you in bold letters. YOU DARESN'T POST A QUESTION THAT HAS BEEN ASKED. USE THE SEARCH!!!!!

Personally, the previously asked questions, which may be related, are often not specific to my problem and I find it difficult to actually answer my question through previous posts.

In addition, it takes so much time to wade through search options and if I'm in a bind, I need an answer asap.
Finally, I think the relational aspect is very important. Let me know that you noticed my question and I feel the 'love'. People need people.

[hennie]

Duuuuuh...why don't forum veterans use the search function before they post the same reply as alleready posted dozens of times???
I love the "Similar Threads" feature, but it only shows threads AFTER I have started another obsolete thread... ;-)

[n1as]

I hate this "never post a question twice" attitude. I DO search first but I find 2 things when I search.

1. I get very little useful info because I'm looking for something specific.
2. I get waaaayy too much info. I don't have time to read through 30 threads each with 2-20 pages of postings.

So if a quick search doesn't address my question, I'll post a question. I'll get a handful of answers that are from "today" and get a few people I can discuss the topic with. And THAT is what makes a forum so much better than an FAQ.

[YP5 Toronto]

i just did a search..and found this one... super.

+1 to post count.

[msowsun]

"What is the difference between the 430EX and 580EX" ???

[angryhampster]

"What is the difference between the 430EX and 580EX" ???



150 LOL

[scrumpy]

150 LOL

Check your Caps Lock :D

[tigerotor77w]

I must admit I've been one of those "start a new thread" members as of late... :/

Two thoughts.

1) I've been searching for about a week now with no real resolution to my issue in existing posts.
2) Finding an old thread, reading it, and then replying to it hasn't gotten me anywhere.

Therefore, I created a new thread... which, incidentally, also has no replies.

[Bubble]

just ignore it. That how i do. :)

[Amamba]

... Those for whom English is not a first language - or are just plain illiterate - are treated with respect. . . .

Usually two distinctly different groups .... :)

[gasrocks]

I have been to many web sites looking for information and when I click on "ask a question" (send an e-mail to their techs) I have to do a search before it will let me do that. I think it may not be a bad idea here. For newer members. Say first 20 posts. You cannot post a new question until you have done a search.

[samsen]

Old say:
Knowledge = Power.

[hennie]

I got to have 500 posts before I can post in the G+N... this one also counts :-))

[Jimmer411]

Seems like every forum I visit has this problem, but the funny thing is that when people actually do use the search function they are attacked for posting if the thread is any older than 1 month.


So which is better, tons of new threads or tons of old threads dug up from the grave?

[dissembled]

Agree. If I see one more "N00B hERE. HELp! 40D or 50D?" thread, my head wil freakin EXPLOOOOOOOOOODE.

[Wilt]

It is from the "Daddy's decision contradicts Mommy's decision" that is learned in early childhood. If you ask over and over and over, it is in the hope that you get the answer which you want!

[photoguy6405]

Sometimes there is no single right answer, and differing perspectives are helpful.

[lildexmom]

One cool thing about a new thread started up with a old question is that newer members can get in on a "fresh" discussion that the older members have had many time in the past.

I have been a member here for about a year and I now have some thoughts and opinions on some things that I could not have shared a year ago because of lack of knowledge or experience back then. Should I just ignore a frequently asked question because smarter more experienced members have already given there opinions in the past or can I finally jump in on the thread and participate in the discussion since I now feel that I have something to contibute?

If you come across a too familiar question why not wait it out and give some one who enjoys teaching or sharing there knowledge a chance to answer the question, or leave it to some newer members to add their "2 cents" there by becoming a part of a interesting discussion and in a way giving them a chance to mingle and maybe make some friends in the forum.

[S.Horton]

When you teach, you learn. Especially when you're wrong (in my case).