Hey JT,
I have another suggestion for new members ,either attach a friendly note with their reg to use the search or don't allow them to post unless they have used the search. I as well as many other members are tired of seeing and answering the same questions every day. It's just a suggestion but how many "will my dash pad fit" or "what rear do I have " " my hatch motor" questions do we have to see everyday? I don't mind helping out newbies but the questions have been covered soooooooooooooooooooo many times it gets quite redundant.

 

New users receive a "welcome" email message when they sign up. There is no mention or encouragement to make use of the search feature in that email message. I may add a small notice to that email. It wouldn't hurt. However, that likely won't make much of a difference. Such messages are easily glossed over.

You will find this condition on many forums. It comes with the territory. I'm pretty certain that the vB software, in its stock form, doesn't support such an option to force searches before posting. Trying to hinder members from posting can lead to driving them away.

 

JT,

I remember when I registered, I had to activate. While the welcome emails are glossed over, how about adding some "helpful suggestions" - such as utilizing the search feature - in bright letters on the activation confirmation page. Most forums do not do such a thing so it may attract more attention.

 

Add it to the rules, posting without searching beforehand will result in ban



I have seen many other forums that actually do tell you to search before posting, its in the agreement and the rules!

 

Hell, I've seen it where there is a similar post just below another post. Sorry, but no matter how many times you say it, there will always be someone who thinks their problem/post is unique and not bother searching.

Other than getting rude (which doesn't work either), there isn't much you can do other than purposely answer only part of the question and then suggest they do a little searching to find out more detailed info.

 

Hell,
When I started here I was told "DO A SEARCH" because I didn't realize that a search was possible. Like I stated it should be stressed somewhere, either in the intro package or in very BOLD LETTERING in a different color of font to grab the peoples attention. Maybe a sticky in each forum in a different color stating "DO A SEACH BEFORE POSTING, IT'S MORE THAN LIKELY YOUR QUESTION HAS BEEN COVERED BEFORE"

 

All that will do is cause retinal hemorrhaging for the rest of us; and they STILL will not do a search.

Some things you just have to accept and move on.

BTW, since you are the subject of "niceites", can you tone down your signature a bit? We prefer if people ONLY post their signature on the FIRST POST they make...not EVERY POST. Your signature overpowers your post.

 

Besides, half of it is the same color lettering as the part of your post you were trying to make stand out, it didnt stand out very well

 

I've made this suggestion before in this forum, I'll make it again now:

Add a user "Search Count".....If Vb can handle it.

Gives more info about a user than the Post Count (or iTrader) does, and we have many members that simply lerk about and search more than post. If a member had only 10 posts and 50 searches I would be much more inclined to respond and help them out.