Damned if you do...Damned if you don't...

[Anonymous01]

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I've noticed this a lot around here...

You want to post about a topic, but being a good SDNer, you use the search function and find a relevant thread to you topic. You post in there...except, the thread you posted in is X # of years old! Other SDNers post after you in the thread asking and complaining that you just bumped up a really old thread.

If you don't use the search function, you're berated for making useless threads.

What to do?!

 

[ozzi22]

yup, that's typical SDN for you

 

[aSagacious]

So, uh... was the handle 'anonymous' already taken?

 

[raab32]

It has been said that when this paradox is revealed in the year two thousand eleven, the blessed land of SDN will come to a standstill, a calm before chaotic posting comparable only to an apocalypse of biblical proportions. You sir have just set into motion a chain of events bigger than any of us can fathom...

 

[Zjodak]

Yeah, probably the best thing to do is make a new topic but link to the old topic and explain that you didn't want to bump the old topic and that it wasn't answered adequately.

 

[Narmerguy]

Yeah, probably the best thing to do is make a new topic but link to the old topic and explain that you didn't want to bump the old topic and that it wasn't answered adequately.

Maybe unnecessarily cautious and also runs the risk of someone else going to that link and responding to it.

At the same time, most of the stuff that people want others to use the search function for are the kinds of questions that almost certainly can be answered without them needing to make any further questions (does my major matter? favorite study music? etc).

 

[gettheleadout]

Maybe unnecessarily cautious and also runs the risk of someone else going to that link and responding to it.

At the same time, most of the stuff that people want others to use the search function for are the kinds of questions that almost certainly can be answered without them needing to make any further questions (does my major matter? favorite study music? etc).

This, and I just want to add that the reason people get annoyed with super old bumps is usually that the bump is either A: addressing a poster who hasn't been on this site in years or B: a pointless bump that doesn't contribute anything new.

 

[tabascosauce]

you ****ing just do you.

JUST DO YOU.

 

[Sesom]

you ****ing just do you.

JUST DO YOU.

You just do you...

 

[apumic]

I've noticed this a lot around here...

You want to post about a topic, but being a good SDNer, you use the search function and find a relevant thread to you topic. You post in there...except, the thread you posted in is X # of years old! Other SDNers post after you in the thread asking and complaining that you just bumped up a really old thread.

If you don't use the search function, you're berated for making useless threads.

What to do?!

Perhaps we need a "How to Post" walk-through. Here would be my summary version:

1. Consider your question -- how might someone else have asked it?
2. Search for your question using the keywords you came up with in step 1
3. Read through the newest relevant-appearing threads first. If your question is answered, stop here and utilize this information.
4. IF it is NOT answered, perform a second search and/or continue looking through the results and go back to step 3 until you have exhausted the search results.
5. IF the search results do NOT provide ANY threads pertaining to your answer, go on to step 9, otherwise continue to step 6.
6. IF the search turns up a thread pertaining to your question but does not answer it fully, read the thread to get a feel for the topic and what HAS been answered prior to continuing; then continue to step 7.
7. Check the date on the thread as well as the posters on the thread. Ask yourself the following three questions (3/3 "yes" is almost certainly acceptable; 2/3 "yes" is probably acceptable unless the "no" is question #2; less then 2/3 "yes" is almost certainly unacceptable):
   1. Was this thread started within the last 12 months?
   2. Is my question on topic with the rest of the thread?
   3. Are the posters in this thread people I still see posting in the forum in which this thread was posted?
8. If step 7 gave you 2-3 affirmatives, go ahead and post in that thread and stop here, otherwise continue on to step 9
9. Go ahead and start a new thread with your current question

Now I realize that may seem like a long process but it's really not. It probably would take less time to do then it took for me to type all of that (which was about 5 min including the time it took to think out the process). In addition, you will likely find the answers to 99% of your questions LONG before any of us would have responded with the exact same response.

As was mentioned above, the times when many of us get annoyed at new threads are when the same questions appear multiple times each day (or week, really). The other time, I suppose, would be for useless questions like "What's your favorite study music." The threads people should make are the unique questions no one has thought to ask. Those are interesting threads, but it seems that they get obscured by the useless ones much of the time.

 

[aSagacious]

Perhaps we need a "How to Post" walk-through. Here would be my summary version:

I think you could drive the point home more effectively with a flow-chart

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I think you could drive the point home more effectively with a flow-chart

No doubt. I typed it up for you, apumic...

 

[StudyShy]

No doubt. I typed it up for you, apumic...

That's more like it.