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Rant about "searching"

O.K. I thought I was done but maybe I'm not. I am trying to interpet your comments in a none offensive way to give you the benefit of the doubt, but it's a stretch.
Please understand that not only do most of the experienced ones have families, jobs, and mondo snake collections, this is a very busy time of year for us and even though we may want to go on and on about a certain subject we just don't have time. Also the really experienced people on this forum are sorely outnumbered by the new ones and sometimes we just don't have the time to repeat the same thing over and over. Many of us who have been on this forum for years know just how many times not only a certain question has been asked, but how many times it has been already answered very well.
Maybe you are misinterpreting "do a search" as "we don't care and we don't have time", when really what we mean is "we know this question has been asked before and got some GREAT responses, go check them out to get my opinion and feedback from many others."
 
i meant, if all your going to answer is "search for an anwer" you might as well not answer. If you take the time to type the words "do a search" you can take the time too put a little personal info like "hey aspen shavings work good, thats what i use"
 
ashleynicole said:
i meant, if all your going to answer is "search for an anwer" you might as well not answer. If you take the time to type the words "do a search" you can take the time too put a little personal info like "hey aspen shavings work good, thats what i use"
Click to expand...


Carol's point is this:

Maybe the first 500 times "Oh my god, my snake regurged, what do I do?!?!" was posted, it got good responses. That question is literally posted almost weekly.

The whole reason of doing the FAQ was to find great threads with awesome answers that are much more complete with facts and opinions, rather than what most of the responses will be to those new threads that have been asked 500000 times.

Everyone here has answered "is sand okay to use for my snake?" countless times, now most of the answers are "no it's not, use aspen" rather than the full answer of explaining just why it's so bad and what other options you have.
 
yes i did read the FAQ's... so maybe you could say, hey check out the FAQ's on the site.. not just "do a search and you'll find out the answer"
 
Amen Carol, well said. I don't want to sound rude AN, and it was a very fair initial question to ask. I think just because you didn't like some of the responses (as it wasn't convenient to you) you might find many folks unlikely to help out (as Carol said).

How about, using your logic, if you don't have the time to search and then read, then don't ask the question at all. Seems to me, if the answer isn't convenient, you're just gonna ignore it anyways (or just rant about it).

In all fairness, I do welcome you to the board. I think if you stick around a while and get to know some of the knowedgeable folks here, you will find that this is a geniune and atypical forum you may truly like and benefit from.
 
Personally, I try to give decent answers before I tell people to use the search function. You also have to understand that some people (myself included) like to have the how and/or why behind answers. If someone tells me that they use aspen I want to know why they use it over something else, not just because they like it. Things like that have been covered MANY times. Also like Carol said, the big breeders are seriously busy. Heck...even some of us non-big breeders that have been here a shorter time span but could still give decent opinions are busy. I know I'm not the only one but classes started up again this past week. That means those of us in college have a whole lot more on our hands now than we did during the summer. We're not trying to be mean or anything, it's just that we're busy and know stuff has been answered. I also agree with Jeff when he said that you can't rely on other people 100% of the time. I exhaust all possabilities before asking a question and there are lots of possabilities out there. Anywho...I'm done now. I hope that made some sense. I'm off to finish my movie and then :cheers:

~Katie
 
ashleynicole said:
"hey aspen shavings work good, thats what i use"
Click to expand...

Very few cornsnake questions have such a short answer, and if someone gave you such a short answer I'd be quick to assume that person doesn't have a lot of long term experience. "Aspen is great, I use it" isn't a really informational answer and I consider "do a search" more educational. There are people who will tell you "feeding chicken necks is great, I do it all the time and my snakes are in great health", and it sounds like you would rather hear that then someone saying, "there are many pros and cons, do a search to make a more educated decision."

Take one subject.... housing together.... someone asks and here are my options...

1. Don't reply at all.
2. Spend a minimum of 20 minutes to type the answer that question deserves.
3. Advise them to do a search. FYI, within ONE MINUTE of doing a search on "housing together" I found at least 3 spectacular threads that covered the subject extensively.
4. Just type "Yes and No"

Can you at least understand that if someone doesn't want to spend 1 minute trying to find the answer themselves, it's unlikely others will be motivated to spend 20 minutes giving them an answer that is already there?
 
I like the search function. For new members, particularly if they have a problem and they're slightly panicked, it's easy to miss it and they might not even know it's there until somebody tells them.

A few months back I had a problem with excess condensation in the viv. Quick search and bam, I found everything I needed to know right here without me posting once (and that isn't a very common problem I don't think).


I do understand the point you raise completely, and it can seem stand-offish, but I don't believe the reasons behind the "do a search" replies are malicious. Indeed, most of the time the poster has valid advice to give as well, and suggests a search in addition.

The simplest questions that don't need a personal response (a backstory, or a request for personal experience for example) can get very tedious to some people here. Particularly when it's the same member posting time and again, and when the answers could be found in any book or resource, had the poster chosen to research the animal before they bought it!

Even then, there are always members here (like myself) who have been keeping and researching snakes for years, and though are not as experienced as some, we have more time to post full and concise responses.

Whichever method is used - either the search function or waiting a few days to compile responses to a new thread - in the vast majority of instances, the question is answered as fully as possible.

To close (whew!) I personally don't see the 'do a search' responses as a problem, as it's more than likely that someone else will come along and offer more information.
 
When I came onto this site this morning, I clicked on the little 'new posts' button as always. What I saw in the 3 pages of new posts since yesterday were 3 threads on substrate, 4 on uth and another 2 about regurges.
What makes me say 'do a search' is seeing all of those current, active threads all dealing with the same question. It's also the same people (very patiently IMO), answering the same way in each thread.....
I can certainly understand the frustration of seeing another thread pop up answering the same question that is already being actively discussed. A little time on your part would save some of the extra work for others who are already trying to be nice and answer.
 
Ahhhh, the 'New Posts' button! My favorite!

One thing I've noticed is that people use the net in varrying styles. I, for one, type slowly and reread my posts to see if they make sense. Others type fast and like the chat style. :eek1:
I can't do the real time conversation style because I'm too slow. I can see where the real time type might prefer typed conversation over 'searching'. But I do have to agree with the method of searching if info is your main concern.
 
:-offtopic
I'm right there with you Clint,...... slow typer.
Slow Typers' Unite. ha! ha!

But I do the same as PtDnsr. The more views the better I think.
 
First off, the reason this site was created in the first place was to take the pressure off of ME with the number of emails I was getting every day. And most of them were the same questions being asked over and over again. Quite frankly, I put this site up to save my sanity. I wanted a place where the answers could be found for those questions that people will be asking over and over again, year after year. That is also why I chose this particular style of message board system. It is designed to be a repository of information and not just a chat style board with a threaded view design. Active threads stay at the top of the forum so people easily know which topics are hot and being currently discussed. If you want to resurrect and old thread to have something clarified or rehashed, simply reply to it and it percolates up to the top of the forum, allowing people to know it is again an active thread.

Also, bear in mind that this forum site has been here since 2002. I had two other forums for a few years earlier that were predecessors to this one, and some of the people here now have been with these forums all along. ANY question about husbandry issues has been asked numerous times, and answered just as often. After a while, anyone would get tired of the same questions showing up year after year at the same season.

Good answers are rarely short ones. For someone to give any really well thought out, informative, and valuable answer takes time and effort. No one here is going to do that each and every time the same question is asked. After about the 10th time of answering the same question, many people will likely just quip "use the search function", meaning "hey I answered it before, go find it instead of making me repeat myself yet again." Certainly a new person may take offense at that, not realizing that what is new to them is something that has been discussed more times then anyone can count by other people here. Just look at the stats for this site as of today:

Threads: 22,077, Posts: 173,716
Click to expand...

I think any reasonable person would assume that in a forum site specific to corn snakes, quite likely the answer to their particular question, if also about corn snakes, would HAVE to be in those 173,000 posts somewhere!

Personally I can no longer take the time to answer emails that have basic questions. I simply point them to this forum and suggest that they search for their answers here. Do some people get pissed off that I don't give their questions a personal answer? Most likely. But I simply don't have the time for it. Every minute I spend answering questions like that means I don't have that minute to spend doing something else that, realistically, is much more important to ME. I really can't take the time to explain to people how to breed their animals, care for eggs, or what to do when their snake acts sick. Sorry, but that is just the way it is.

The answers are here. Some people will certainly take the time to point that out to the people who just don't seem to realize that fact. But is that more or less rude then simply be ignored altogether because people will groan and think "Oh no! Not THAT question yet again!"?
 
Rich Z said:
Good answers are rarely short ones.
Click to expand...

I think this is the point that is largely being missed. A search will not only give you access to those great long answers, but those made by different people so you don't just get my opinion, but many others. That is much more beneficial to you than getting the quick cutesy answers you value now.
 
I wanted to make one more point.

I get the impression that some posters consider the "use the search" reply to be a brush-off and that it demonstrates an unwillingness to be helpful. But when I reply this way, I'm actually trying to be as helpful as possible. The 'search' method has been very effective for me, and in my opinion, it is a better way to get info than posting redundant question threads. However, those who want to use the less effective method (less effective IN MY OPINION) are welcome to do so. Everyone is welcome to help in the way they see fit. If the way I choose to be helpful is not appreciated, or worse, not welcome, there is an 'ignore' function on the boards as well.


"Brother Thomas, you know what the Bible says about not forgiving people... It's against it."
-Hezekiah Munson
 
just my .02

I am a newly registered member here. I did however spend A LOT of time browsing around here, doing searches and just reading threads about anything and everything before I registered. (Which I actually did at first only because I couldn't see most of the pics as a guest).
I did see the same types of questions come up over and over again, and people patiently answering them over and over. I personally thought it was great that so many people would take the time to relply to these simple questions-many of which are from young people who haven't quite gotten to the point of research patience yet-but still need answers to properly care for their pet. You need to remember that at least they are looking somewhere for the proper information, more than many pet owners around will do.

I did finally have a question I could not find any info on. So I broke down and started a new thread. No replies. So I tried in a different forum, and got some pretty good leads on what I was looking for.
But after reading this thread, I felt kind of bad.
I did not post or reply to the answers I got "only to see myself in print". I found this site to have the most "real" information in an easy to use format, with involved users(unlike some of the forums).So I figured I would get the best info by asking here. But I hate to think someone is sitting there going"Oh, no not another post from HER."
People DO need to search for there own information, but sometimes they just can't find it.So I would say encourage everyone to search all the time, you find great stuff, but don't hassle someone for asking.

just my .02
 
ultimuttone said:
But I hate to think someone is sitting there going"Oh, no not another post from HER."
Click to expand...

With only 13 posts, I don't anyone has thought that. Usually the "do a search" comes up when
1. The question has been asked and answered very recently.
2. When it is a "heavy" question and we know there are good threads on it.
3. When it is obvious that it is just someone too lazy to look at all and is posting over and over again.

I don't think you fit into any of those.
 
Yes i did a search before posting as well, and i only asked a question if i can't find a clear cut answer. Or if i am just confused about conflicting answers i saw.
i wasn't starting this thread pertaining to ME, no one has ever suggested i search when i asked a question, they've always been answered. My first post was laying out my basic set up and asking for opinions on it.
 
Rich Z said:
First off, the reason this site was created in the first place was to take the pressure off of ME with the number of emails I was getting every day. And most of them were the same questions being asked over and over again. Quite frankly, I put this site up to save my sanity. I wanted a place where the answers could be found for those questions that people will be asking over and over again, year after year. That is also why I chose this particular style of message board system. It is designed to be a repository of information and not just a chat style board with a threaded view design. Active threads stay at the top of the forum so people easily know which topics are hot and being currently discussed. If you want to resurrect and old thread to have something clarified or rehashed, simply reply to it and it percolates up to the top of the forum, allowing people to know it is again an active thread.

Also, bear in mind that this forum site has been here since 2002. I had two other forums for a few years earlier that were predecessors to this one, and some of the people here now have been with these forums all along. ANY question about husbandry issues has been asked numerous times, and answered just as often. After a while, anyone would get tired of the same questions showing up year after year at the same season.

Good answers are rarely short ones. For someone to give any really well thought out, informative, and valuable answer takes time and effort. No one here is going to do that each and every time the same question is asked. After about the 10th time of answering the same question, many people will likely just quip "use the search function", meaning "hey I answered it before, go find it instead of making me repeat myself yet again." Certainly a new person may take offense at that, not realizing that what is new to them is something that has been discussed more times then anyone can count by other people here. Just look at the stats for this site as of today:



I think any reasonable person would assume that in a forum site specific to corn snakes, quite likely the answer to their particular question, if also about corn snakes, would HAVE to be in those 173,000 posts somewhere!

Personally I can no longer take the time to answer emails that have basic questions. I simply point them to this forum and suggest that they search for their answers here. Do some people get pissed off that I don't give their questions a personal answer? Most likely. But I simply don't have the time for it. Every minute I spend answering questions like that means I don't have that minute to spend doing something else that, realistically, is much more important to ME. I really can't take the time to explain to people how to breed their animals, care for eggs, or what to do when their snake acts sick. Sorry, but that is just the way it is.

The answers are here. Some people will certainly take the time to point that out to the people who just don't seem to realize that fact. But is that more or less rude then simply be ignored altogether because people will groan and think "Oh no! Not THAT question yet again!"?
Click to expand...


well if that is the case then i would please like to be removed as a member fromt his forum. I am sorry but that just isn't right. I have been a member of aquarium advice for almost a year now and people just don't htink like that over htere. If someone posts "help my fish have ich" although that has been covered a TON i know, the people who reply simply post a link to an answer.. they tank the time to help. I didn't realize this site was like that. I would remove myself but i can't find a cancel membership anywhere in the USER CP so if you would please cancel me i woul dbe much appreciated.
 
and i would just like to add that all of the administraters over at AquariumAdvice take time to answer threads as well.. and i have even persoanlly pm'd a mod over htere about my corn snake and he has taken the time to answer all of my questions.
 
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