• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Please use search

Status
Not open for further replies.
TheAtheistReverend

TheAtheistReverend

Anybody want a peanut?
VIP Member
I have been seeing multiple new threads being started by users asking questions about subjects already covered, sometimes quite extensively in previous threads.
Please make an effort to do a couple searches for your subject before starting a new thread. It helps keep the forum clean and easier to navigate for everyone. Not to mention it's in the forum rules.
You will also be more likely to find an answer to your question even if it isn't yet answered in the related thread as we tend to follow threads that are established discussions on a topic and will follow up in that thread when an answer is found.
Thank you.

EDIT: As per alostpacket statement below, I was incorrect in stating that it is in the forum rules to use the search function. Pleas read on...
 
Seems like you always get this problem on forums. It's faster for someone to post a question than take the time to do a search.

One thing I would like to add to this, IF you do have to start a new post, create a subject that makes searches easier. Subjects with "HELP ME!!" or "Like my phone but..." make it hard for those who do searches.
 
I know what you mean. I am a moderator on another web forum and go crazy when people ask the same question over and over without searching. I have done my darnedest to to check for previous threads before posting mine, so I hope I haven't driven you mad yet ;)
 
mogie said:
I know what you mean. I am a moderator on another web forum and go crazy when people ask the same question over and over without searching. I have done my darnedest to to check for previous threads before posting mine, so I hope I haven't driven you mad yet ;)
Click to expand...

Hey, I have missed threads before, plenty of times. Especially when the answer is buried deep in a several thousand post thread.
I suck at searching. Sometimes i think google is hiding stuff from me. I'll try over and over to find something only to have my wife come over and add or subtract one word and BOOM, there's the answer.
I just hope some of the new members can learn some good habits :)
 
TheAtheistReverend said:
I have been seeing multiple new threads being started by users asking questions about subjects already covered, sometimes quite extensively in previous threads.
Please make an effort to do a couple searches for your subject before starting a new thread. It helps keep the forum clean and easier to navigate for everyone. Not to mention it's in the forum rules.
You will also be more likely to find an answer to your question even if it isn't yet answered in the related thread as we tend to follow threads that are established discussions on a topic and will follow up in that thread when an answer is found.
Thank you.
Click to expand...

We have to be careful about condemning those who begin new threads which are on well talked about subjects, while then sometimes condemning those who "dredge up old threads" apparently after the user has done an extensive search on the subject at hand.

Often, when we do a search, we'll find threads with the last post a few months or longer ago.

New threads are fine. So are the old, "dredged up" ones. Both are useful to old and new users alike.

This thread moved to the Lounge, as it is not device specific.
 
Unfortunately, this thread is a waste. Heck, on XDA, there's even a video when you sing up yet that place is littered with duplicate threads on the same page. That's just the sad state of things.
 
I was hoping some of the new members over at the Incredible 2 section were going to read this, but now that it has been moved it is a pointless thread.
Well, maybe not pointless, but it wont be read by it's intended audience and therefore will not serve it's intended purpose.
Guess I should have made some reference to the DInc2 or something if I wanted it to stay there. That's probably in the rules too, huh? That would only be fitting.
 
Can't the search be programmed so answers come up in chronological order? Some sites can do that.
I agree about not getting the right results. Some of the duplicates can be caused by the searcher not knowing the technical term of what he/she is searching for.
 
The thread's subject seems relevant to the whole forum cluster. ;)

But, yes, it's an "iffy" thing, moving something like this away from a device forum, for the reasons you state.

Also, I've left an extended redirect link in the Incredible 2 area where this thread originated, so Incredible 2 users will migrate to the Lounge to view and participate here if they so desire... along with users of many other devices who frequent the Lounge.
 
Frisco said:
The thread's subject seems relevant to the whole forum cluster. ;)

... I've left an extended redirect link in the Incredible 2 area where this thread originated, so Incredible 2 users will migrate to the Lounge to view and participate here if they so desire... along with users of many other devices who frequent the Lounge.
Click to expand...

True.
...And thank you for that Frisco.
 
man i feel like i've seen this same exact thread at least 50 times. dude, could u please use the search feature before posting ANOTHER thread about using the search feature? :D
 
Not everyone's search-fu is the same. I don't mind people asking me to search but I do ask that they be polite about it. I've seen users say things like "if you're too lazy to search then I'm too lazy to help you." That's rude as well as in violation of the site guidelines:

"Also while the search feature on forums is great, and hopefully will be utilized - if someone comes here and asks a question, either answer it or don't. If you're going to suggest the search feature, be polite about it. Nothing irks me more than when I go to a forum, (and use the search!), then ask a question because I want some one-on-one with my problem, and get a simple "Use the search." reply. Suggesting it is encouraged, but don't withhold the answer because they don't."

Thank you, Phases :)

These forums are here to help people, so I answer posts as best I can regardless of whether or not the OP did a search before posting.
 
EarlyMon said:
Best bet is to use google, just add "androidforums.com" to the beginning of the search. If it's for a thread that you recall posting in but can't find the thread, add your username after androidforums.com.
Click to expand...

didn't know about that method, ill have to try it. thanks earlymon
 
ardchoille said:
Not everyone's search-fu is the same. I don't mind people asking me to search but I do ask that they be polite about it. I've seen users say things like "if you're too lazy to search then I'm too lazy to help you." That's rude as well as in violation of the site guidelines:

"Also while the search feature on forums is great, and hopefully will be utilized - if someone comes here and asks a question, either answer it or don't. If you're going to suggest the search feature, be polite about it. Nothing irks me more than when I go to a forum, (and use the search!), then ask a question because I want some one-on-one with my problem, and get a simple "Use the search." reply. Suggesting it is encouraged, but don't withhold the answer because they don't."

Thank you, Phases :)

These forums are here to help people, so I answer posts as best I can regardless of whether or not the OP did a search before posting.
Click to expand...


^^^What this guy said :)

I asked a question about a battery once and little did i know, i had just posted in a thread with the info. Luckily the reply was polite.
 
If a reply ever lacks common courtesy, please use the handy !Report button to that left of the post.

Likewise, if you feel threads are being duplicated, please report them to us with the link to the duplicated info.

With your help, we can keep the forums tidy and fun for everyone.

Also, if a thread title is really causing confusion, it's ok to ask the OP to improve it - just please be cheerful in your request to the OP, and gently suggest that they can do that by editing their post and using the Advanced button to get to the title.

Hope this helps!
 
Just to be clear guys, it is NOT in the forum rules to search, in fact quite the OPPOSITE is true.

http://androidforums.com/site-updat...4-zero-tolerance-policy-all-members-read.html

We welcome EVERYONE to this forum. We don't care if their grammar isn't perfect. And, albeit a little annoying when someone doesn't, we don't "require" people to search first before they post a question. Replying to a thread by saying "use the search" is just as bad or worse than not searching first. Either reply to a thread with a helpful solution or don't reply at all.
Click to expand...
Rather, if you see rudeness towards new members, that's something you should report.


Noobs asking questions turns them into pros :)

Anyways, while it may seem like questions are repeated, and that can be rough for long-time users to have to wade through, those questions are also very easy to answer. :)

If someone replied in a friendly way with a link to an already answered question, that can be helpful. If someone suggests the search while indicating why the search is helpful, and what the user might find in a friendly way, that can also be helpful.

Simple "use the search" replies are not helpful.

If there are a ton of threads on a specific topic really cluttering things too, feel free to report them, mods and guides can merge these to help with the clutter a bit.


Finally, we're a welcoming community here and have a reputation for being friendly and helpful. It's why I'm proud to help out and volunteer here. I probably would not do the same thing on some of the other less-noob friendly forums.

Phases and Rob and the mods have really cultivated a laid-back, friendly Android community. This is no small task. And this is very much a part of what makes AF a great, addictive place to hang out, laugh, and learn some Android tips -- all at the same time.

anyways that's my $0.99


.
 
xmr405o said:
Lol, I kinda thought our search function was pretty good. Haha
Click to expand...

I can often find something if I persevere if I know it exists, but it can take some time. I do find it ommits stuff when I am using words I think are exactly in there.

Its quite good, but also quite bad IMHO.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom