Using the search isn't always best.

[Nate Silvers]

Nearly every time I search google for help I find my question answered with a "please use the search function next time". If they had used the search I wouldn't of gotten help too! Ironic.

 

[loltim]

Tried a search m8? This has been discussed before.

 

[Zefan]

If they had used the search function they wouldn't have posted the question again and you would stand a much better chance of finding the original discussion.

 

[loltim]

If they had used the search function they wouldn't have posted the question again and you would stand a much better chance of finding the original discussion.

or if the person was helpful rather than pointing to the search function, the answer would have been twice as easy to find.

 

[Zefan]

or if the person was helpful rather than pointing to the search function, the answer would have been twice as easy to find.

If there is only one discussion on a subject and it is answered, then when you search for it you will find the answer.

If other people don't search and choose instead to create new posts about the subject, asking the same question, there is a chance that they will not be answered simply due to other people not having the time to reply. This means you're much more likely to have to fish through those unanswered posts before finding the information you want, unless what you say happens and every question is answered in full every time - but that's just not realistic is it?

 

[loltim]

If the question has been asked in 10 new threads and it was only answered in 3, it's a) easier to find the answer and b) good for comparing answers?

Surely that is better than 9 2nd posts saying "tried search m8 lulz".

So yea, atleast try and help or just click the back button?

 

[Zefan]

You're not understanding me. If people had searched and not created the duplicate discussions, there would only be one discussion to find... it doesn't get easier than that.

Creating more threads means that it will make the answer harder to find unless every single thread is answered in entirety, which just isn't going to happen.

In your scenario there are 7 threads that are completely useless due to being unanswered, which means you're likely to find 2 threads with no answer before finding one with an answer. If those unanswered threads never existed then you would find it straight away.

:edit: Your point about comparing answers is a good one, but a little separate from this discussion. The point remains that duplicate threads can be a nuisance.

 

[K1LLSW1TCH]

What's even more annoying is when you can't find the original thread on Google and the person who said to use the search function hasn't linked to the original thread, you go to use the websites search function and you need to be a member...

 

[loltim]

agreed, but i'm with the OP in that it's incredibly frustrating to find "try searching" when trying to find an answer in a hurry.

so in an ideal world, tell them to search, and then when the thread drops off the front page, delete it, or make it invisible from search?

 

[Nate Silvers]

If they had used the search function they wouldn't have posted the question again and you would stand a much better chance of finding the original discussion.

I wish Google worked like that but it doesn't usually find the original discussion, it should at least find both duplicate questions.