Program to stop endless repetition?

[atomickustom]

I don't know anything about the technology at work here, but is there some way to have previous posts somehow pop up when someone is starting a thread that has already been done a bunch of times?
I've been HAMBing every day for almost a year now, and I've seen a lot of the same things over and over and over ("Which wiring harness do you recommend?" "What insulation should I use?" "Where do I get steelies?" to name the three most common).
Someone usually comes on and says "this has already been asked and answered," and sometimes they give the link to the previous thread, but is there some way to make this just happen on it's own?
I'm imagining that starting a new thread becomes a two-step process, so that when someone clicks the button they get a list of "all related threads" BEFORE they actually post the new thread. Just a listing of threads with a few of the same words in the title would be enough. If I really want to know where to get a repro grille, and when I go to submit my question I see an older thread titled "Where do I get a repro grille" I would check that thread out before posting my question.
Either that, or somehow require people to do a search before posting. (Which I did not do for this one, and which may have already been suggested for all I know!)

Just a thought.

By the way, LOVE LOVE LOVE the HAMB!! I can't even begin to tell you how much my knowledge has advanced over the past year. I now scoff at the magazines that I used to scour for info.

[Ryan]

Nature of the beast I'm afraid... Not a ton we can do about repetition. That said, I try not to let that normalcy stop me from helping out a new guy. That's what it is all about, ya know?

[burger]

Ryan,

Have you considered adding a "sticky" or some other heads up about merits of the search function and, more importantly, how to use it?

Imagine you're a new HAMBer with a limited knowledge of search engines. You're looking for information about this new-fangled t5 transmission that your second-cousin Darrel told you about. Spotting the search icon at the top of the page, you punch in t5 and get ... nothing. No matches found.

How can we get the word out to the new guy or the search-engine-challenged that typing in "t5 trans*" will reward them with pages of search engine results? Maybe a help button somewhere in the search function?


Ed

[buschandbusch]

I've been HAMBing every day for almost a year now, and I've seen a lot of the same things over and over and over ("Which wiring harness do you recommend?" "What insulation should I use?" "Where do I get steelies?" to name the three most common).

some perspective from little old me- I agree, I see a lot of repetition, or what I THINK is repetition. For example, I don't recall any of the three topics you just mentioned, at least I haven't seen them enough to say they were repetitive. But there are threads that I see way too often, like about whitewalls, or wheel bolt patterns, or brakes, etc. And, that's my point, there's SO much info, that it gets buried, and even if it comes up often there's only a handful of people that catch it and think it's repetitive.

Another example, I religiously search the boards every morning at 7:31 AM, looking for Banger info. IMO, there's not NEAR enough banger info, but somebody who has a 350 SBC could get damn tired of it I'm sure. I search about once a week for the word "banger" and often, there is a thread that I missed entirely, each one with bits of info I didn't know before. So, even though a lot of this stuff SEEMS repetitive, there always seems to be new info as well.

[speedaddict]

There is a program, its called a search button. Maybe it just needs to be BIGGER...haha

[hotrodladycrusr]

It's not the search feature thats the problem it's the titles that some of the threads are given thats an issue. Some people title a post something like "got a quick question" and the question is about cooling or whatever. A great thread developes regarding cooling yet the title doesn't match the material inside.

Lots of folks like to be "clever" with their titles which is cool BUT come on the titles have to convey ALITTLE about whats inside to make searching for it in the future possible.:cool:

[CURIOUS RASH]

The search feature searches the entire thread, not just the title.

We need some more education on the thing to get it to take off.

The big problem with the search, well really any of the features is that people are LAZY and it's easier to blurt out than actually work for it.

That and some of these chumps are just running their count up...

[CURIOUS RASH]

Oh yeah, there is a sticky in the Q&A forum about how to use the search thread.

[Thirdyfivepickup]

Most people that can't find the search function probably doesn't know this forum exists.

I agree with Rashy :rolleyes: I think people are being lazy. How many "Show me pictures of...." posts are out there? I give posters the benefit of the doubt (sometimes) and do a quick link for them.

[atomickustom]

It's really helpful when someone posts a link like you do, but other times the thread just goes on and on. And I agree that new information pops up on redone threads, but it would be nice if it were all somehow compacted.
I have to admit that I didn't understand the search function until I'd been visiting the HAMB daily for at least a couple months. It would just be awesome if something prompted me to do a search before starting a new thread. Even just a pop-up that says "Did you do a search on this topic? Here's how..."

Most people that can't find the search function probably doesn't know this forum exists.

I agree with Rashy :rolleyes: I think people are being lazy. How many "Show me pictures of...." posts are out there? I give posters the benefit of the doubt (sometimes) and do a quick link for them.

[Roothawg]

Oh yeah, there is a sticky in the Q&A forum about how to use the search thread.



I admit I am the worlds worst at this but I have a legitmate excuse. I am lazy.
That and the fact that I don't like the way the search function works. I try quotations, etc and try typing in something very specific......9 times out of ten it won't find it. I usually try 4-5 different terms and sequences but, eventually just ask and it seems that other people obviously have a handle on it cause they seem to be able to find what I am generally looking for.

Wow. My english techer would be proud of my gigantic run-on sentence.

[Richard D]

I have a love-hate with the search. Sometimes I can't find shit, sometimes it's over-whelming. Often I'll stumble across an ebay auction with 13 minuites left and don't have time to read 20 threads before the item I may or may not want to buy is gone.

Another example, a thread may not get any response, then later another one on the exact same subject comes up and gets great response. Or an old thread that gets bumped to the top when the right person just happens to be looking and you get the magic answer.

[maddog]

I have been using the Hamb only a couple months. I feel bad asking such dumb questions, but so many of you know so much. I spend some time with the search, sometimes with results (I read every word) and sometimes nothing.
I dont like to wait around, I like to get it done. When there is someone to ask, I ask. It may be repetive to you but its all new to me.
BTW I love the hamb, it has helped me out like you cant believe. Its like hanging out at the club house with a bunch of hotrodders.

From now on I will include the topic in the title.

So, I was wondering which wire harness do...............

Thanks JK