diane4
Member
I see both sides and points of view in this thread.
I will say that newbies, or even season saltwater keepers, should make the effort to use the search function to see what is already out there before they start a thread. I, from day one, made it a habbit to search for my answer first and then if I didn't find an answer, then I made a post.
And quite honestly, I find the search feature works perfectly fine for me. I think it boils down to how you do the search. Someone wanting to learn how to treat ick might get different results depending on how they search for it. For example, if someone put in just the word ick - you would get hundreds of posts. Or, someone may be more search savey smart and put in a couple more words to narrow the search further and reduce the hit results. Someone, may also put TOO Much in the search and never find a hit because they type in a whole sentence in the search box.
So what is my point? My point is, there is a TON of information already on the site - I know, I use it all the time and don't need to post often for question purposes. The forum has been a WEALTH of knowledge source for me, far more than any book can offer. So, anyone, whether newbies or old timers, use the search and spend a few minutes trying to find an answer to your quesiton or topic. I totally understand, it gets tiring to see the same basic questions over and over again when we all know on the forum, the answers are out there in individual posts, as well as Beths full article in depth summaries. All people have to do is read. Us folks that have been at it for a while and consider ourselves a sucess at the hobby for the most part, spend lots of time reading the forum, books etc because we care about our pets and enjoy reading other people situations, questions and solutions. However, when we see the same questions asked over and over again, it is time consuming to say the same thing all the time.
On the flip side, as a brand new newbie - or an experience fish keeper or reefer that has a medical situation going on in their tank, you feel desperate for help and feel that you don't have time to spare to reserach the issue. I understand that perspective, because that was certainly me when I first got into the hobby and within the first month, I had an outbreak of ick. As a newbie, I do think I just posted the question, I didn't know any better.
But Beth was patient, friendly and supportive. She pointed me to the articles posted already and was there to field specific questions as I moved thorugh the process for my specific tank.
Also for the newbie, or apparant repeat question poster side, I will say that on the surface, we may see someones question and think - oh brother, here we go again, the same question again. But, if you read the thread, sometimes the situations are different because no two tanks are the same.
I think everyone should try to search first for the answer they seek on the forum, before they start a new thread with the same question. The forum is bursting with great information, I love to read everything out here - it is my hobby and favorite past time. And, we need to be patient for people in a panic or are learning and need to ask.
Boy, I love to run my mouth - sorry. LOL
Enjoy the forum, there is lots to learn, and the more time you read posts, the more you learn, and then you will be better prepared for a situation might encounter.
As a final note to the newbies - I owe a thank you to many people out there on this forum, the regulars that you might think are snobbish - NO they aren't, they are just very devoted and caring people who spend eons of hours in the hobby, reading and studying and it does get tiresome to see certain questions appear all the time when we know it has been answered dozens of times. I would like to extend a special thank you to Beth and Mimz, serious fish keepers that have been life savers for me.
I love this forum and you regular folks RULE!!! I have been in the hobby for a year and half and I sound like an ol' timer now. LOL Thanks to my friends on SWF forum.
I will say that newbies, or even season saltwater keepers, should make the effort to use the search function to see what is already out there before they start a thread. I, from day one, made it a habbit to search for my answer first and then if I didn't find an answer, then I made a post.
And quite honestly, I find the search feature works perfectly fine for me. I think it boils down to how you do the search. Someone wanting to learn how to treat ick might get different results depending on how they search for it. For example, if someone put in just the word ick - you would get hundreds of posts. Or, someone may be more search savey smart and put in a couple more words to narrow the search further and reduce the hit results. Someone, may also put TOO Much in the search and never find a hit because they type in a whole sentence in the search box.
So what is my point? My point is, there is a TON of information already on the site - I know, I use it all the time and don't need to post often for question purposes. The forum has been a WEALTH of knowledge source for me, far more than any book can offer. So, anyone, whether newbies or old timers, use the search and spend a few minutes trying to find an answer to your quesiton or topic. I totally understand, it gets tiring to see the same basic questions over and over again when we all know on the forum, the answers are out there in individual posts, as well as Beths full article in depth summaries. All people have to do is read. Us folks that have been at it for a while and consider ourselves a sucess at the hobby for the most part, spend lots of time reading the forum, books etc because we care about our pets and enjoy reading other people situations, questions and solutions. However, when we see the same questions asked over and over again, it is time consuming to say the same thing all the time.
On the flip side, as a brand new newbie - or an experience fish keeper or reefer that has a medical situation going on in their tank, you feel desperate for help and feel that you don't have time to spare to reserach the issue. I understand that perspective, because that was certainly me when I first got into the hobby and within the first month, I had an outbreak of ick. As a newbie, I do think I just posted the question, I didn't know any better.
But Beth was patient, friendly and supportive. She pointed me to the articles posted already and was there to field specific questions as I moved thorugh the process for my specific tank.
Also for the newbie, or apparant repeat question poster side, I will say that on the surface, we may see someones question and think - oh brother, here we go again, the same question again. But, if you read the thread, sometimes the situations are different because no two tanks are the same.
I think everyone should try to search first for the answer they seek on the forum, before they start a new thread with the same question. The forum is bursting with great information, I love to read everything out here - it is my hobby and favorite past time. And, we need to be patient for people in a panic or are learning and need to ask.
Boy, I love to run my mouth - sorry. LOL
Enjoy the forum, there is lots to learn, and the more time you read posts, the more you learn, and then you will be better prepared for a situation might encounter.
As a final note to the newbies - I owe a thank you to many people out there on this forum, the regulars that you might think are snobbish - NO they aren't, they are just very devoted and caring people who spend eons of hours in the hobby, reading and studying and it does get tiresome to see certain questions appear all the time when we know it has been answered dozens of times. I would like to extend a special thank you to Beth and Mimz, serious fish keepers that have been life savers for me.
I love this forum and you regular folks RULE!!! I have been in the hobby for a year and half and I sound like an ol' timer now. LOL Thanks to my friends on SWF forum.
