Rant : Unhelpful Suggestions

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by zboss

I know this is funny but a lot of folks really don't know how to write an effective google search. When you do search you often end up with a thread that have 70 pages of information to dig through, much that is not useful. What is useful are moderators that go back and put links in the first post to the useful responses in large threads, which for the most part they do not do.

Mate, I'm married to a moderator, and I can tell you that they have PLENTY of work to do just running the forum, and are REALLY not interested in doing others homework for them.

Jim

[JPA Cate]

zboss,

It's not only the workload. I, personally, unlike most moderators, have abysmally poor computer using skills. I might remember the name of a thread, like "Survey 101". So, the question for me, is first, can I afford the data (I'm on a metered connection, with limited data) to Google something for someone, then copy and paste the URl, then come back. The second question is do I want to? Often, nope. So that is why I rarely post links. I think if I write to the poster what the title is, he can then do the CF Google Custom Search for himself; plus, I see his doing it for himself as a good thing: he'll learn more.

It may seem cheap to the poster, sorry if any of you out there have felt bad on account of it.

Stu M does a lot of link posting. He also knows his way around forums a heck of a lot better than I do. There are quite a few members who do a great job of that.

Now, the issue of not posting because of being afraid of people being snarky. Frankly, I detest that behavior. But my attitude is more "Ann, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the darned kitchen"--i.e., it's the internet, some people are rude, thoughtless, like to stir up trouble, and some, maybe even most, aren't, ya gotta take the bad with the good.

Ann

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Delancey

I know you are just trying to help, but your suggestion that someone do a search or a custom google search or whatever, not helpful.

Might as well just say "I don't have an answer to your question" and leave it at that. Basically that's what you are saying. Better yet, just don't comment at all because no one really cares if you don't know about something someone wants to know about.

Have yet to see someone follow up and say "gee, I never thought of doing a search before but after you mentioned it I did one I found all the answers I was looking for. Thanks!"

Ever wonder why that is?

I'm with you. IF we dont questions posed, well, frankly thay have all been answered before. Close down CF then.
Is there a "block user from posting" function on CF?

[NoTies]

Originally Posted by Delancey

Ever wonder why that is?

Have you tried doing a Google search to find the answer?

[UNCIVILIZED]

Yes, thinking for one's self is highly overrated. I mean WTF did guys like Einstein, Da Vinci, or Marconi ever give us?

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by Delancey

...your suggestion that someone do a search or a custom google search or whatever, not helpful...

How do you know that the precisely correct answer won't be immediately found during a search, rather than by reading a bunch of amateurs' opinions, some of which won't even be on topic?

[SV THIRD DAY]

Yeah but imagine how boring it would be if everyone stayed on topic and only answered questions when they knew what they were talking about what fun would that be on the internet

[Mike OReilly]

Like with everything cruising (or in life), there is no Right Answer For All Circumstances. There are some nuts&bolts questions that the OP could easily answer with a basic search. I usually just ignore these. No point trying to help someone who won't help themselves.

But most questions or comments are nuanced enough to warrant a discussion. Sometimes it takes time to figure out all the details, and most of the time there are multiple right answers, so worthy of discussion.

The other point some people seem to miss is that this is a 'discussion' forum, not a database or even a website. People come here to 'discuss' topics and problems.

So I say, if the query irritates you b/c it's been asked before, just take a pass. If you have nothing useful or helpful to say (and saying "do a search" is rarely helpful), then say nothing. No one is forced to read or take part in a thread. You can even put it on ignore so you never have to see it.

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

I agree with all the above but I also think something people do is far worse - that being, some provide incorrect or simply bad advice as declarative statements. It wouldn't be that much of a disservice if they would preface their comments with an "I think" or an "in my opinion" but they do neither.

(Since some folks are also complaining about dredging up ancient topics, I thought I would give them something to work with

I *always* consider that anything someone posts is "in their opinion". And if they're wrong, they very likely think they are correct. Personally, I do attempt to add a warning when I am opining away from my field of expertise -- but no doubt I also "know" stuff that is wrong.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

Off topic but so what. What I hate is someone asks a specific question and after giving an answer they say did this, did that, did another thing. Would have been real helpful if they had stated that in the first place.

It's very common for the original post to contain only partial information. Others have to drag the rest of the story out of them.

Recently, someone described a problem with an outboard motor. He said it stopped running and the manufacturer sent him a replacement carburetor under warranty. He said it ran a couple hours and failed again. I suggested he might have bad fuel. His reply was "I know it's not bad fuel." He did not say how he knew this.

Later in the thread he mentioned that it was a propane powered outboard.

It seems to me that this was a pretty important piece of information to leave out.


As for the "Do a search" comment, sometimes it's obvious that the poster is simply either to lazy to do his/her own search.

[double u]

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

(Since some folks are also complaining about dredging up ancient topics, I thought I would give them something to work with

I *always* consider that anything someone posts is "in their opinion". And if they're wrong, they very likely think they are correct. Personally, I do attempt to add a warning when I am opining away from my field of expertise -- but no doubt I also "know" stuff that is wrong.

FINALLY someone is putting it into words!!!
it's so easy to remember something wrong or to have "fabricated memories" (there is probably a more elegant expression that I as mountain-kraut don't remember...)