[Talk Host]

From time to time a member (often a new member) will initiate a thread about a topic that has been discussed previously. Invariably someone will reply that they should have used the search function to investigate that topic and that discussing it again is a waste of time.

Some thoughts from this administrator about that:

• How is a person to know that it's been discussed and that they should search for it.
  
• If a person is expected to search for a certain topic, then every member should be expected to search for every topic.
  
• Many times there is new information or new ideas to be revealed with the re-initiation of a topic.
  
• If everybody used search every time and found what they were looking for, they would never have to post and this would be a very boring forum.
  
• This is a community of people designed for those people to talk to each other. Insisting that one should use search rather than post is bogus.
  
• I'm guessing that 70% of what's discussed here has been discussed in some form or another in the past.
  
• If one doesn't wish to read a topic that has been discussed previously, then one should pass by it without making the poster think they did something wrong.
  
• Finally, our search function sucks. You are very lucky to find anything by using it.

JLK

[wlou]

Thank you for this post because it pains me when someone new initiates a thread only to have someone else make them feel "dumb" about doing it...Very well said, thank you!

[redwitch]

Another who has always disliked the asked and answered, go search response. Thank you for speaking up. I like BillnBrillo's way -- attach links to previous threads. It's helpful without sounding mean.

So, when do you upgrade the search function? It really is awful. lol

[skyguy79]

I'm fairly sure that I read the post that prompted this thread, and as a relatively new user I didn't quite interpet 'the suggestion to use search' to mean that the new thread should not have been started, but rather that it was a "source" of valuable information for the inquireror. I may be wrong or not clear on the responding post at this particular time, but that's just the way I remembered taking it!

[Hal :-)]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

From time to time a member (often a new member) will initiate a thread about a topic that has been discussed previously. Invariably someone will reply that they should have used the search function to investigate that topic..........

Agreed on your points. Sometimes, however, people really would like to simply search and, in your words, the forum search sucks. I just wanted to point out that Google searches work well. Limiting the search with the site parameter (site:www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/) and utilizing the Google search syntax can usually get what you're looking for.

[TednRobin]

I thank you for posting regarding the search. I have tried to use the search only to find numerous queries that would take days to go thru and yet to find what I am looking for. It is nice to know, esp when a newbie, that you can post on this forum and not be made to feel vulnerable or under attack. I am glad that the hosts monitor this forum closely.

[ijusluvit]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

From time to time a member (often a new member) will initiate a thread about a topic that has been discussed previously. Invariably someone will reply that they should have used the search function to investigate that topic and that discussing it again is a waste of time.

Some thoughts from this administrator about that:

• How is a person to know that it's been discussed and that they should search for it.
  
• If a person is expected to search for a certain topic, then every member should be expected to search for every topic.
  
• Many times there is new information or new ideas to be revealed with the re-initiation of a topic.
  
• If everybody used search every time and found what they were looking for, they would never have to post and this would be a very boring forum.
  
• This is a community of people designed for those people to talk to each other. Insisting that one should use search rather than post is bogus.
  
• I'm guessing that 70% of what's discussed here has been discussed in some form or another in the past.
  
• If one doesn't wish to read a topic that has been discussed previously, then one should pass by it without making the poster think they did something wrong.
  
• Finally, our search function sucks. You are very lucky to find anything by using it.

JLK

I'm still rolling around laughing at your last statement. one of the funniest ever by an administrator!

Stop and think however. The fact that the search function sucks is what facilitates fresh comments about topics that reappear again and again. You're right; if your engine was Google instead of Thomas the Train nobody would have to talk to each other any more.

For those who are desperate to find something in the archives however, try this recently suggested procedure. Go to google. Type in talkofthevillages/item. 'Item' is the word that best describes or links with the subject you are looking for. Here's what I mean by a link: let's say you want to know what people have written about nearby restaurants. Make your 'item' a popular restaurant like 'Bonefish Grill'. You will get specific threads about that restaurant, but comments about many others as well.

[Hal :-)]

Originally Posted by ijusluvit

I'm still rolling around laughing at your last statement. one of the funniest ever by an administrator!

Stop and think however. The fact that the search function sucks is what facilitates fresh comments about topics that reappear again and again. You're right; if your engine was Google instead of Thomas the Train nobody would have to talk to each other any more.

For those who are desperate to find something in the archives however, try this recently suggested procedure. Go to google. Type in talkofthevillages/item. 'Item' is the word that best describes or links with the subject you are looking for. Here's what I mean by a link: let's say you want to know what people have written about nearby restaurants. Make your 'item' a popular restaurant like 'Bonefish Grill'. You will get specific threads about that restaurant, but comments about many others as well.

Narrow it to just the forum with "site:" http://goo.gl/Df5NM

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

I'm fairly sure that I read the post that prompted this thread, and as a relatively new user I didn't quite interpet 'the suggestion to use search' to mean that the new thread should not have been started, but rather that it was a "source" of valuable information for the inquireror. I may be wrong or not clear on the responding post at this particular time, but that's just the way I remembered taking it!

No one post prompted my comments. It has been ongoing for some time, and is not peculiar to Talk of The Villages.

JLK

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by Hal :-)

Narrow it to just the forum with "site:" http://goo.gl/Df5NM

Gee that sounds great, but I have no idea what this search criteria means. Could you please explain for us what goo/gl/D
f5NM means? Is that all we have to enter in Google, ever?

[HawkeyeBarb]

JLK...I now know why you are The Nice Administrator! As a fairly new TOTV poster, I am always nervous about posting...don't want to make any errors or "faux pas" on this forum and annoy any possible future neighbors or friends!
Your post and explanation makes me feel better...and more confident with my posts!
Thanks!

[scrapple]

Thanks for being a nice, caring, nurturing host administrator.

[Hal :-)]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

Gee that sounds great, but I have no idea what this search criteria means. Could you please explain for us what goo/gl/D
f5NM means? Is that all we have to enter in Google, ever?

Sorry, that's just a shortened link to a Google search as an example of using the "site:" selection parameter. Just click on it.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

No one post prompted my comments. It has been ongoing for some time, and is not peculiar to Talk of The Villages.

JLK

Thanks for the clearification. The posting I found fit the bill to a T and it's now obvious to me that the posting I read just hours before was coincidental!

[Skip2MySue]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

From time to time a member (often a new member) will initiate a thread about a topic that has been discussed previously. Invariably someone will reply that they should have used the search function to investigate that topic and that discussing it again is a waste of time.

Some thoughts from this administrator about that:

• How is a person to know that it's been discussed and that they should search for it.
  
• If a person is expected to search for a certain topic, then every member should be expected to search for every topic.
  
• Many times there is new information or new ideas to be revealed with the re-initiation of a topic.
  
• If everybody used search every time and found what they were looking for, they would never have to post and this would be a very boring forum.
  
• This is a community of people designed for those people to talk to each other. Insisting that one should use search rather than post is bogus.
  
• I'm guessing that 70% of what's discussed here has been discussed in some form or another in the past.
  
• If one doesn't wish to read a topic that has been discussed previously, then one should pass by it without making the poster think they did something wrong.
  
• Finally, our search function sucks. You are very lucky to find anything by using it.

JLK

Rather then having numerous people try and use the search feature I wanted to provide the answer to the many people that wrote regarding the over/under toilet paper issue. Over the top won handily. I hope everyone can rest a little easier
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