Public Service Announcement... The search tool is your friend.

[henecle]

It seems lately that we are experiencing a flood of question posts all over the forum that new members could have answered themselves by using the search functionality built into the forum. Many members here are willing to assist with questions but appreciate when someone has first attempted to put their own energy and intelligence into finding the answer.

Also, it is necessary to know how to spell correctly in order for the search to return the information you are seeking (that in itself may be a challenge for some). Doing so may help the requester receive more responses to their question or keep them from being added to the "Ignore List" by seasoned members.

[idcook]

It seems lately that we are experiencing a flood of question posts all over the forum that new members could have answered themselves by using the search functionality built into the forum. Many members here are willing to assist with questions but appreciate when someone has first attempted to put their own energy and intelligence into finding the answer.

Also, it is necessary to know how to spell correctly in order for the search to return the information you are seeking (that in itself may be a challenge for some). Doing so may help the requester receive more responses to their question or keep them from being added to the "Ignore List" by seasoned members.

A new member, perhaps having only recently learned that there is even such a thing as a ShopSmith and visiting the site for the first time, may not realize that there’re threads that speak to concerns of the uninitiated.

Often they arrive with machines that’re incomplete and lack sufficient familiarity with the machine to know what or what not to look for or ask about.

Besides these, most new members probably do come looking to find answers themselves and invariably wind up spending time reading the various discussions that occur. Which, I might add, can be both informative and often are extremely amusing to follow.

In an environment such as this I think it’s to be expected that a new member might find themselves quickly induced to prefer the amiable and very active interactions taking place on the forum rather than simply turn to reading past discussions which, as you’ve pointed out, might be difficult for some to find easily.

Speaking directly to forum members offers three distinct advantages to benefit the newbie:

1- They’re informed of the positives and negatives of the machine they just discovered as well as what NOT TO DO before attempting to rebuild; and
2- They’re immediately directed to the stickies and offered links that speak to their more immediate concerns; and
3- They’re greeted by the most active, knowledgeable and colorful cast of characters that make up the general body of forum discussion. i.e. — They meet people who’re more or less informative and friendly. And we can all always use a little more of that in our lives.

[idcook]

Besides, the entrance of new newbies allows us near newbies, who may be not yet quite out of the woods (so to speak) to preen our feathers a bit. Allowing us to show off some of what we’ve learned via the largess of you ‘seasoned’ members …

“Woah Nellie there new guy; don’t touch that thingy. I did that six months ago and damn near lost a toe!”

“No, the part that you continually refer to as a Flux Capacitor is actually the speed controller, and should be treated with respect.
Good day to you sir!”

[2centsworth]

Had to ask - so when is a newbie no longer a newbie ? I tried searching but couldn't find that answer.

I know,I know - I just couldn't help myself and had to ask. Obviously a newbie question !!!

Besides, the entrance of new newbies allows us near newbies, who may be not yet quite out of the woods (so to speak) to preen our feathers a bit. Allowing us to show off some of what we’ve learned via the largess of you ‘seasoned’ members …

“Woah Nellie there new guy]

“No, the part that you continually refer to as a Flux Capacitor is actually the speed controller, and should be treated with respect.
Good day to you sir!”

[joedw00]

[quote="idcook"]A new member, perhaps having only recently learned that there is even such a thing as a ShopSmith and visiting the site for the first time, may not realize that there’re threads that speak to concerns of the uninitiated.

Often they arrive with machines that’re incomplete and lack sufficient familiarity with the machine to know what or what not to look for or ask about.

Besides these, most new members probably do come looking to find answers themselves and invariably wind up spending time reading the various discussions that occur. Which, I might add, can be both informative and often are extremely amusing to follow.

In an environment such as this I think it’s to be expected that a new member might find themselves quickly induced to prefer the amiable and very active interactions taking place on the forum rather than simply turn to reading past discussions which, as you’ve pointed out, might be difficult for some to find easily.

Speaking directly to forum members offers three distinct advantages to benefit the newbie:

1- They’re informed of the positives and negatives of the machine they just discovered as well as what NOT TO DO before attempting to rebuild]

Well said idcook!!

[henecle]

...In an environment such as this I think it’s to be expected that a new member might find themselves quickly induced to prefer the amiable and very active interactions taking place on the forum rather than simply turn to reading past discussions which, as you’ve pointed out, might be difficult for some to find easily.

Not quite... I didn't say that finding information in the forum was difficult, what I said was that one has to know how to spell correctly to find what one is looking for. The latter is a personal problem entirely unrelated to the forum.

I too am amused by some of the recent members' questions and postings... Going to up my stock holdings in healthcare companies.

["Wild Bad Bob"]

Well we will just have to put up with some short comings of others!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[reible]

I personally use the search function here a lot, mostly to find previous postings that I have done.

Lot of good stuff lost in time here. Those that want the benefits of of all the experience of the forum just miss out by not doing a search, at least that is how I feel.

Effort put in = what you get.

Ed

[idcook]

[quote="henecle"]Not quite... I didn't say that finding information in the forum was difficult, what I said was that one has to know how to spell correctly to find what one is looking for. The latter is a personal problem entirely unrelated to the forum.

I too am amused by some of the recent members' questions and postings... Going to up my stock holdings in healthcare companies. ]

If the latter is not the case the former remains true.
If a person doesn't know how to spell something they may have difficulty searching. Yet they might still wish to learn something (rather than how to spell something), so they do the next best thing: Ask!

If their goal is to use a SS and/or cut wood they've come to the right place.
Spelling lessons, however, are rarely offered here.

[skou]

Spelling lessons, however, are rarely offered here.

Except by "yours truly."

Simple spelling errors, not so much. Misuse of words spelled differently, but sounding the same, MUCH.

"Your," and "you're." "Your an idiot" backfires. (It really means, "I'm an idiot.") "You're an idiot," is the proper word.

There, their, and they're do NOT mean the same. Their house is over there, and they're gonna be upset if you...

Sorry for the hijack. Since it is after 3:00 AM, I'm funning, as usual.

steve