It's a shame

WoodGlue wrote:
The constant back and forth banter between all kinds of posters is the very lifeblood of this forum. Not only is it friendly and welcoming but necessary to keep needed, updated ideas afloat in the forums.

Absolutely nothing is accomplished by telling a new forum member to "search this forum"

It MURDERS creativity and discourse between the seasoned user and the new user.

As for myself, I'll always answer a newbies question about leveling their rig, or which TP to use, etc etc

WoodGlue

Thanks for all you do. I will follow your example.

I suspect that in at least some cases the OP doesn't thank anyone because no one actually bothered to answer the question he posed. I can't count the number of posts I've seen with page after page of totally irrelevant responses. Usually, they go something like this:

"Hi, I want to install a widget on my MH. I've looked at products from "A", "B", "C", and "D" and have concluded that "A" offers the best product for my particular circumstances. Can anyone tell me where I can buy an "A" widget?"

What often follows are four pages of responses in less than 24 hours in which various people: a) ask him if he has looked at "B"... or perhaps even "E", b) tell him that "C" works best for their own personal use, c) try to convince him that a 5th wheel would be better than a MH, d) ask the OP why he thinks he needs a widget in the first place, or e) simply tell him that they tried "A" and it didn't work for them... often without explaining what they found lacking about the "A" widget.

Fifty posts later, not one single person has provided the OP with a source for purchasing the widget he desires. So, yeah... I'm not too surprised when the OP sometimes offers no thanks to anyone.

My advice to my fellow forum members? PLEASE, read the original post carefully and then answer the question... if you can. If, after answering the question, you still want to include an opinion regarding the subject as well, that's OK. IF... after reading through five pages of posts you feel compelled to comment on the topic, first go back and re-read the original post - ask yourself whether or not your comment will help the OP.

The responses that state "do a search" could be more helpful if they followed their own advice and see if there are meaningful answers to the question.

And...if the answers are helpful, they could provide a link to that search. Or...alternatively state what ythey used for the search and where. There are several options available on a search.

Heh, I never went to kindergarten so I always need to ask questions, reply if necessary and learn from what I have found is an excellent assortment of characters on RV.NET, trying to help one another. It is heart-warming. Oh, I do wish I could find diesel fuel in Canada as cheap as in the USA!!!

AL

Actually sometimes "do a search" helps if they go ahead and tell you what to search for. I sometimes see a question and know it was addressed, I just can't remember the answer. Other times, its been addressed to death and I've been known to suggest that somebody search for "xxx".

As to the OP,ernie1, thank you for the post. 'Bout time some one brought that up. Lots of good responses here.

omjones wrote:
And then there are those on dialup.... by the time I finish a search, I've forgotten the question.
john 'I am Canadian'

And then there are those like me that are usually using their Iphone and the search is almost impossible. I think most everyone knows to "do a search". I just ignore those "do a search" posts and move on. Maybe those folks don't know the answer but want to post something anyway.

While we are on the subject, another thing I don't understand is someone will post in the Dingy Forum is anyone is towing an xyz vehicle and people tell them to look in the MH magazine towing guide. That's a big help.

And then there are those on dialup.... by the time I finish a search, I've forgotten the question.
john 'I am Canadian'

mumkin wrote:
Yes, there are times that one can't quite figure out how to ask the question for the search to find what you need.

A fruitful search usually requires the right "word". It often takes me a lot of sweat to search around for the right word that will get me what I want. So recently I was looking for a drawer "pull" but of a certain kind. When I finally found the word "cup" I was able to find exactly what I needed. Those that dont have the vocabulary of RVs (toads, for example) may have a very hard time finding anything or worse, find so much they are swamped. Easier to ask "old hands".

It isn't necessarily bad advice to tell people to try the search mechanism. Some of the new people to both RVing and discussion boards like this don't even know that there is one. I personally use the search often... and always before posting a question, I try to search up an answer. Yes, there are times that one can't quite figure out how to ask the question for the search to find what you need. I find that using the search helps me to focus any questions that I do post.

What irks me is when they ask a question that is on a topic that has 3 or 4 threads on the page already. :C If I did that, I would feel like an idiot when someone points it out.