New Members, please read this plea from tenured members

[--weezl--]

first of all, i would like to welcome you to the forum, i am not a moderator, administrator or in any way shape or form a representative OF TRS, i am however, a very highly active user, who supports the community by contributing to the forum, and by purchasing a premium membership to help fund this forum

now that is out of the way, there has been a trend recently that is extremely frustrating, the trend seems to belong solely to new members, making their first few posts... below is a quote, taken from another thread, the post is extremely well worded, and supported by many of those who make this site what it is, including myself. obviously this is directed towards a specific new member, it is not meant to be rude or harassing, but rather encouraging... please take heed and follow these instructions, if you do, i personally would be more than willing to help you with your problem, if it is legitimately not on this site... but let's face it, on a forum of nearly 70,000 registered members, chances are, it's been asked before

A lot of people have sand in their cracks lately... here's why you're getting these responses. (I'm with them 100%)

It doesnt seem like you searched. Youre not the only one, we've been getting hit everyday lately with simple questions that can be answered very quickly with a short search.


We, the collective of the forum put a lot of time and money out over the years:

-We buy these products, we try them and find out if they do or dont work.
-We put the time in testing, and replacing parts to figure out what causes these issues.
-We spend more time writing threads, and having discussions about said repairs and products.
-We spend more time answering questions in these threads to help others out when they get stumped on a similar problem.
-We consolidate it into one place (the tech library) and provide a link at the top of every page.
-We log on every day and try to help someone we never even met out.
-A good amount of us repair cars for a living, we then log in here, and tell others how to do the job that puts food on our table. We are basically telling you how not to have to pay us to do the job.



All we ask in return is for you (not just you, all the recent noobs with similar questions) to search first and ask questions later.


Spend a little time searching, come back with a good question. Show us that you have searched. Tell us that you saw in this thread that it could be your air filter is clogged and you replaced it. Explain that this thread mentioned a full tune-up, but that was done a few weeks back. Tell us that another thread said to check your O2 sensors and see if they are getting lazy, but you dont have a scanner to check them. When you ask a simple question, show us that you did put the time in and arent asking for a handout. We really are a great bunch of guys (more or less), and are willing to help anyone out at any time day or night, but you have to put out some effort too.

i have removed the link to the thread it was originally posted in, as i feel it unnecessary to single out the member it was posted for, it was a simple, well worded, and intelligent question/post, however came as the straw that broke the camel's back on a frustrating situation that has engulfed the forum recently

 

[a31ford]

Weezl.

Well Rounded, respectable, and to the point without being "over the top" (as usual for you)

I think the problem lies with the school system of about 10 years ago, IMO at that time a bunch of panzzie ass teachers somehow convinced "upper management" that the way they taught school, was "politically incorrect", and the school system (as we use to know it) was wrong.

With that said, what I'm getting at is the method of living that these "youngers" know, is that "I don't need to use a search engine" someone will answer the question for me, (for free even).

I came here for help recently 7 months ago? and have at least IMO "paid my penance" in answers to others questions, I've earned at least some reputation points (not many) but I've tried...

I'm NOT asking for rep, what I'm asking for is "SEARCH", like I did, BEFORE asking a question, AND, at least tell us the final result, so WE can learn as well...........

Greg Manning

 

[AngryLepercon]

I searched and found this thread.









+1 for Search.

 

[Snoranger]

i have removed the link to the thread it was originally posted in, as i feel it unnecessary to single out the member it was posted for, it was a simple, well worded, and intelligent question/post, however came as the straw that broke the camel's back on a frustrating situation that has engulfed the forum recently

Why thank you sir.
I tried to keep it mostly general. I really didnt want to call 1 person out, or try to run anyone off here, but no one want to see the same questions everyday. If someone asked you everday where the office was, wouldnt you make a sign that said "OFFICE ---->" ? I would.
I dont really like telling people to search so I often keep my mouth shut, but what I said needed to be said. There is a thread for almost anything you can think of on here. I'd rather see someone pull up a 10 year old thread and ask a question, then start a new one. It shows they really did look around and investigate their problem, then asked for help.


But, its a catch 22... If you pull up an old post, you get "Holy, old post" or some other comment to that effect. If you start a new post, you get told to search. Where is the cut-off point?

 

[armadillon]

Oh, a post for all new members to read? Well, I'm only asking this one question and then jetting so that's not for me.

"What do I need to swap in a V8 into my ranger? Does it need a different starter?"

Great post gents, but I just really hope they read it. Many new guys just register on multiple forums and then post. They don't check stickies, "PLEASE READ" posts, or search.

Sorry for the negativity, but unless this post is stickied, it's going to be lost amongst new posts in the next few hours. Has anyone asked if Jim or another mod would add something to ask all new members to search first, post later?

 

[4.0B2]

Great post gents, but I just really hope they read it. Many new guys just register on multiple forums and then post. They don't check stickies, "PLEASE READ" posts, or search.

Sorry for the negativity, but unless this post is stickied, it's going to be lost amongst new posts in the next few hours. Has anyone asked if Jim or another mod would add something to ask all new members to search first, post later?

sad as it is.. this is true

some of yall saw what I said in the "will 32's fit with this lift" thread... pretty much boiled down to, don't be a jerk to new members... just tell them to search or answer the question. Don't run off members and not let them have the chance to stick around and learn SO MUCH info.

I understand the frustration.. I've "went off" on people about it to; but here recently I decided that's not the way to treat new members. If I don't wanna just answer their question, I'll just tell them the answer is here..find it. If I do have time or don't mind answering the question, I answer it. It's simple really. Kinda annoying, yes. In all reality, I just don't wanna run people off just b/c they are newbs..We all were there at one point.

 

[Explorin94]

I like it! Period! Like it was stated that is a very well written post and agree 100%. It is frustrating to these posts from new guys wanting to know what they need. I was a new guy once and have struggled trying to get the right answers at times. It seems that every other post here the OP has not done the research on the subject and asks the same question over and over again. Sometimes even starting another thread cause they didn't think others would notice the new thread. I simply just post the "SEARCH" link and go from there. So if some of you new guys whe read this think that we are picking on you we are not. Do YOUR research and if you have any questions then ask.

 

[Explorin94]

sad as it is.. this is true

some of yall saw what I said in the "will 32's fit with this lift" thread... pretty much boiled down to, don't be a jerk to new members... just tell them to search or answer the question. Don't run off members and not let them have the chance to stick around and learn SO MUCH info.

I understand the frustration.. I've "went off" on people about it to; but here recently I decided that's not the way to treat new members. If I don't wanna just answer their question, I'll just tell them the answer is here..find it. If I do have time or don't mind answering the question, I answer it. It's simple really. Kinda annoying, yes. In all reality, I just don't wanna run people off just b/c they are newbs..We all were there at one point.

You are correct but.......some of the new members are ones who have been on other sites and have migrated here to find the answers they seek. While I am in total agreement with you on not going off, sometimes we have to. I get frustrated with the more senior (so to speak) members here who defeat the attempt by other who encourage the new guys to search and answer the questions. It seems we need to all be on the same page with a standard answer.

 

[--weezl--]

But, its a catch 22... If you pull up an old post, you get "Holy, old post" or some other comment to that effect. If you start a new post, you get told to search. Where is the cut-off point?

you're right, personally, i have no problem with a new thread that starts off with:

i searched, i did find this thread, __________ where i found this info, it's really old, so i didn't want to bring it back up, here are my additional questions:

or necroing threads, when the new posts are asking questions about the thread and info in it, that's fine... again, start the post with "i know this is an old thread, but can someone tell me if _______"

it's when the thread is 2 years old, and someone goes, yeah, the 302 would fit just fine, make sure you get these engine mounts, that it's annoying, because no one else will look at the dates, and now we've got 20 people trying to discuss what engine mounts to use on a 302 in a subaru brat, which is owned by someone who hasn't been on the site in 1.5 years

 

[NEVERDONE86]

It does get annoying seeing the same posts day after day. I was a new guy once
And the site was tricky to get the hang of. I've had nothing but help from those who reply and I would like to say that I'm glad to help those that want to be helped. I'm on everyday reading and REASEARCHING others threads to help myself and trying to keep up with posting myself to help others. I love this site and I wouldn't be caught on any other ( pirate )!
I totally agree with everyone by saying a little bit of searching and you should find answers and if you are stumped ask and there are lots of members that will lend some advice or even a hand.

 

[shane96ranger]

I usually only get mad if it's someone who has a few (under 20) posts under their belt, and they still haven't learned. By 20 posts, you should have the jist (<--- why doesn't spell check like that) of what's going on here IMO. The "where do I buy ________?" threads slay me if it's a general (and sometimes universal) piece.

I also realize the built in search inside of TRS seems easily confused (Mark_88 would call it wonky). So I am a little lenient with the fresh out of the womb folks.

I deal with dumb people all day long, so sometimes my tolerance varies. Only so many shits can be given in one day before I let someone have it.

 

[--weezl--]

I'm not sure if we are on different pages or if I misunderstood your post Shane, but if someone has like less than 20 posts, and is having trouble with the site, I'll help them out... If someone has less than 20 posts and is posting questions I know he didn't bother to look for the answer for, I may not be so inclined to be helpful...

Hell same goes for someone who has less than 500 posts... Maybe I'm biased with the better part of 10,000 posts, but of you've got less than 500 posts, you're still a newbie in my eyes...

Atleast 6 months registered on the forum also... Annoying when I see the guy who's join date is aug 2012 and has 200+ posts...

Fwiw, I was here roughly 1 year before I hit 1000 posts... Since then though... Tailgate party!


Sent from somewhere naughty!

 

[shane96ranger]

Exactly what I'm getting at Weezl. Also, I don't know if it's this damn Tapatalk or what the hell.... but half of my message is gone there.

Guess I'll look at it when I get home and see if it chopped it.

Sent from a Commodore 64 using a 300 baud modem

 

[scooter]

Hell same goes for someone who has less than 500 posts... Maybe I'm biased with the better part of 10,000 posts, but of you've got less than 500 posts, you're still a newbie in my eyes...

Atleast 6 months registered on the forum also... Annoying when I see the guy who's join date is aug 2012 and has 200+ posts...

Fwiw, I was here roughly 1 year before I hit 1000 posts... Since then though... Tailgate party!


Sent from somewhere naughty!

Ive been a member since 07, and have roughly 900 posts......
Does this mean im a noob?
I didnt hit 1000 in a year, guess im substanderd? (spelling)

Edit: i have had to reregister at least twice because of fourm changes. I have no idea when i really first joined TRS, it was a looooong time ago, i know that.

 

[kryptonitecb]

Who cares about post count? I just get annoyed when anyone posts "how do I swap a disk brake explorer axle in my truck?" If someone with 1,000,000,000 posts asked that I'd still call them out. Conveniently tapatalk doesn't give me avatars, locations, or post count, they all remind me of leveling up a character on WOW.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic