forced to search before allowed to post new thread?

[seVer916]

title says it all... should a search be mandatory before posting a new thread?

I've been a part of some forums that when you click "new thread", it actually routes to the search screen and requires you to search before you can post a new thread.

Should something like this be implemented here? Sound off like you got a pair!

[erickh]

No, they should not. A better idea would be to do a search using keywords from the title, description, or post right after a person posts. Ask them if their topic matches any of those found. If they answer "no", then the topic is posted. Requiring them to search first adds too many steps and detracts from the user experience.

[JeffH]

I don't think searches should be mandatory, although I do like your suggestion of routing new thread creation through the search screen. That would at least make it easy for those who knew what they were looking for. The forums exist to help people. Forcing someone to search when often they can't even phrase their question knowledgeably won't help.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[seVer916]

Originally Posted by erickh

No, they should not. A better idea would be to do a search using keywords from the title, description, or post right after a person posts. Ask them if their topic matches any of those found. If they answer "no", then the topic is posted. Requiring them to search first adds too many steps and detracts from the user experience.

and how many people are just going to click "no" regardless?

I admit it's a good idea to have some kind of routing, but case in point - on the first page of the main Storm forum, there were *3* posts about the camera not being able to start because of too many open apps. All of them had different thread subjects, but the body of the post was nearly identical (or had key words).

So forcing a search would have easily saved 2 additional threads... just in this case. And how hard is it to type a few keywords? I'll give JeffH consideration that most people can't even properly type their own words, so put some bullet points on the search -- "describe the problem" or "what error message" etc etc.

This reminds me of something I've been saying for a while... though the idea may not originally be mine:: "Give a man a hand out, and he'll just learn he can ask for more." In other words, when someone asks for help and it's just given, then they never learn anything other than to just ask for help because it'll be given without question.

The same principle applies here- when people can just post new threads all willy-nilly, without having to search or look, then the forum gets cluttered with the same question and answer. It doesn't take long before someone (and I admit sometimes it's me) just tells the OP to search and doesn't post any useful info. Perfect example-- Look what DriftDevil did with the missing browser threads!

[billbobaggins]

YES, there are way too many of the same questions being asked, especially by newbies. Too many people are just too lazy to search. I have had a few problems and I was able to solve them by taking the time to search. I have not had to post a question yet.

[bessemercityburgess]

Amen!!!!!!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[erickh]

Originally Posted by seVer916

and how many people are just going to click "no" regardless?

That's besides the point. At least "best match" information is being made available to them without forcing them to do something they don't want to. I know if I were to try post a topic and was presented with a list of topics which had similar titles, descriptions, or content, I would probably check those out and think twice about submitting my own. I mean, why wait for someone to answer you when my answer is already there in another topic?

Believe me, I own a very large website with a forum of my own. Users would go absolutely nuts if they had to do a search first.

Yes. I do believe many people post without doing some research first. It's annoying at times, especially to those who help out a lot, but it's what's involved when you have an active community.

[chrisy520]

Search your question before you post!

i agree with Jeff, i like that idea. i wonder with the new feature, searching using tags, if when creating a new thread the forum can automatically search for keywords tagged and show the user those threads.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[kinggeoff]

Originally Posted by seVer916

and how many people are just going to click "no" regardless?

They will learn when they get called out by every other person and get no help from anyone since there would be no excuse

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[howarmat]

I have always like the idea of having 10 posts before have power to create a new thread. Even if they spam 10 posts in threads its still will detour some people from joining just to create a thread when the answer is 2 threads down. People wonder why a few of us have high post counts.....when you answer the same questions 50+ times its not surprising. It takes its toll though and starts to take the fun out of the forum.

[hart.jordan]

But you also gotta remember that everyone is a nOOb at one point... I sure was and in fact still feel like one sometimes. I know I sure appreciate all the help I've gotten over the past 9 months... And for that thanks everyone!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[seVer916]

Originally Posted by hart.jordan

But you also gotta remember that everyone is a nOOb at one point... I sure was and in fact still feel like one sometimes. I know I sure appreciate all the help I've gotten over the past 9 months... And for that thanks everyone!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

and I was a newbie, too... but I still know how to click on the "search forum" button and enter key words for what the issue/question is. and that is why I have actually only created a small handful of new threads.

to piggyback on howarmat - exactly. I only come on here to check for updates or new info anymore, not really to help others since I'm tired of having to answer the same question repeatedly. There are times when I'll chime in about questions that I haven't answered before, but I'll usually just ignore the threads that are rehash (or I'll post that the question has been answered in multitude and refer to the search option).

also, erickh - that IS the point. requiring a legit search would get the info the person needs (more often than not) and would keep the forum not only cleaner, but also people would be more apt to assist since we're not having to answer the same question 50+ times, as howarmat pointed out. You talk about the "user experience". Well, that extends to those of us who come here to spread our knowledge, as well.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by kinggeoff

They will learn when they get called out by every other person and get no help from anyone since there would be no excuse

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

If noticed or reported, posts that do nothing but tell people to search will get you a warning from the moderators. CrackBerry policy is to encourage newcomers, not discourage them. If it's a question that's easily answered by searching, then I'll often answer it, and say something like, "for more info, a search using these terms terms 1, term 2, term 3 will lead you to the answer I gave, and more."

I tend to be less tolerant of posts like "I searched, but I can't find anything to explain why my browser disappeared after I upgraded my OS."

[erickh]

JeffH has the right idea. I feel that's how it should be handled. Discouraging new users like that isn't an attractive option. I also feel the same about posting links, pictures, etc...if you don't have enough posts. Sometimes it is necessary to stop spamming, but in the cases where you have a legit user - it's annoying as ****. Case in point...my own account. For some reason my post count got reset to zero. I had at least 30 posts before. I went to try post a link to more information for someone and it said I couldn't. Very annoying.

As I suggested, there are better ways to solve this problem which aren't as invasive. Most users, when presented with a list of information they are posting about, will likely explore that information before posting their topic. Remove manual steps, make users happy, don't punish the rest of us. Just my opinion.

seVer916, I feel the best case in your situation is to simply skip over repetitive topics. If enough people do that, new users who don't search on their own will get the hint eventually.

[SilvioBenussi]

Originally Posted by JeffH

I don't think searches should be mandatory, although I do like your suggestion of routing new thread creation through the search screen. That would at least make it easy for those who knew what they were looking for. The forums exist to help people. Forcing someone to search when often they can't even phrase their question knowledgeably won't help.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Life is pretty tough, I'll omit the rest for obvious reasons...

Frankly, people need to learn to internet, specifically:
They need to LEARN TO GOOGLE!!!!!

I know it seems hard, but typing into google is relatively elementary and should be a rudimentary requisite similar to wiping before leaving the toilet!

Example:

"Hi Crackberry, when I rebooted my phone, I lost the BB browser, email and can't find them anywhere on my phone, please help!!!"

IRL: Hi there, type THIS into google:

Crackberry + resend service books BB storm




PROBLEM solved, no excessive bandwidth wasted.
Life is simple.

Another example:

"Yo homiez....The memory is mad tight but it leaks like a mofo, what can I do?"

IRL: Hi, there homie. Go to Google.com and type this:

"Crackberry + improve memory BB storm"


It's, it's......incredible!



The amazing thing about google is you can put in anything you like, and it will show you the way without looking like a lazy-a$$/newbie!!!! OMG!!!!???!@!!#^#!#&!#


If you are lazy?

Type into google: "WHY am I lazy?"