Searching the Forum

[TA Jill]

Originally Posted by foxytv

Great thread Ann!

I was guilty of this when I first joined the forum as well ... and now I also see many others new members doing the same thing.

Thanks for the refresher.

It is easier to get answers if you search for the topic first -- b/c many of us are not necessarily going to respond to a new thread that is almost exactly the same as previous threads we have already responded to (at least I am less likely to...)

Cheers!

Totally agree with this! You can only answer the same question so many times!

As for the shoutbox, I believe it is supposed to be a place just for random chit chat, I think the point of Tammy mentioning this is that we're trying to make the forum and all of the users here more efficient, and Tammy and the mods work really hard to monitor things on the forum and keep this a great place, so by using the search bar, its kind of like following the rules. If no one followed the rules the forum would be complete chaos. Can you imagine if every person in the shout box was asking where to find something, it kind of defeats the purpose.

[AnnR]

Originally Posted by Morgan

Should we start posting a link to this thread when someone asks a question that has been talked about before? That might help cut down on some of the duplicate threads.

I've done this a few times - not sure if it helps or not though!

[Morgan]

Originally Posted by AnnR

I've done this a few times - not sure if it helps or not though!

I noticed you did it today. But, then some of us went ahead & answered the question although there were many posts about it already. So maybe if more of the current members start posting a link to this & stop answering questions over & over we can cut down on unnecessary posts. I think this is a good way to keep it friendly. I usually won't post on other forums because you get bombarded with messages that it was already posted. As the forum is growing so fast we do need ways to keep it more efficient. Thanks mods for working on this! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

[JessicaLovesBrian]

great faq. i feel like a search dummy sometimes though. like i can remember post being made on a certain subject, but can never find them in search. maybe i'm using the wrong terms or something. the subjects i'm trying to look up are usually a little more specific so maybe that's why?

[Christa]

I have the same problem Jessica. Actually what happens is I search on something specific, I get a huge bunch of results, and then I end up getting side tracked with a post I never saw before but doesn't have anything to do w/what I was looking for! Drrrr.

[Jones4Me]

Originally Posted by host

Brandi,

the shoutbox is not to be used that way...i am really starting to wonder if you are just looking for a reason to get banned...first you had an issue with points and now you can't follow ann's detailed instructions...i am really wondering if you are looking to get banned.

tammy

OH MY GOSH! I have asked for assistance once or twice rather than posting a duplicate thread when I could not get the search or advanced search to work. I had seen others ask for help there and reached out as well. That is a reason to be banned? REALLY?
2 things:
1 - Can someone please direct me to a detailed list of rules? Again, my search is not working and I now know I can't ask for help on the shout box to find the rules. I like this group and would like to remain a part of it.
2 - Do you have an issue with me for some reason, Tammy? I feel like there is a problem, but I am not sure what it is.... Have I offended you in some way? If so, I apoligize.

[AnnR]

The search isn't working for anyone actually, but the Advanced Search should work. If you go above and click on Search in the menu bar - another little menu should pop down. Then click on "Advanced Search" in the middle of that menu (not the bottom one, that's for Blogs). That should take you to another screen where you can enter all sorts of search criteria. Let me know if THAT doesn't work.

[Morgan]

The advanced search hasn't been working for me. I get the same screen that I get when i try to go to the end of a thread & it won't open. So it might not be a problem with the advanced search tool, just the same problem the forum has been having lately.

[starchild]

Originally Posted by Jones4Me

1 - Can someone please direct me to a detailed list of rules? Again, my search is not working and I now know I can't ask for help on the shout box to find the rules.

The advanced search has been working sporadically for me but it worked right now. These are the only posted rules I could find, if there are other threads maybe Ann or someone can list them:
Forum Etiquette & Rules

[AnnR]

honestly, i am not sure of any written rules either!