I wanted to make a quick point about something I've seen on this forum (and a few others) that I think is a shame. When a newbie writes in and asks a question that's been asked many times before, someone will often tell him to go search the archive, instead of taking a moment to answer his question. Here's why this bothers me: 1. It makes us seem unfriendly. 2. It discourages people from asking questions that may have been asked before. 3. It eliminates the opportunity for "newish" people (like me) to answer "easy" questions that we've seen answered here before. I mean we're all learning, right? I'd love to see people ask whatever they'd like. Easy (seen before) questions can be swept up by people like me who've learned a bit by hanging out here for the last few months and the more difficult (or not seen before) questions can be tackled by the gurus. That way we all get to participate and learn. Does that make any sense?
I agree, thats what this site is for, to ask for help or advice from others who have been there. (I did almost just say to look it up as this has been asked before)
How do you all propose newbies discover that there is a wealth of previous information if one is not to tell them that it exists ?
This goes back to the thread in Ferrari Discussion about why so many people apologize when posting a thread. It's like they're trying to avoid the "use the search function" response. Nothing wrong with letting them know that there are threads about certain topics, but it's also nice to maybe give them a little help and an answer to their question. Let someone else be the do*che and post the inevitable "that's what the search engine is for."
I know I make darn sure I search the archives and maybe the original archives before asking a question. Otherwise we have tons of short threads on the same topics.
How about providing a primer on search techniques and pointing them there? That would quiet almost 90% of the endless regurgitations
