While I don't know the WHOLE 100% story on this site, I can see a disturbing trend on all message boards as of lately.

The search police, yes in fact does exist in other places now. Contour.org, once my homeboards, pretty much pushed me out with the

"why dont you just hit that button up there and search for your problem"

Do you realize how insulting that is to a person? They might have already searched for the site, and now have to search again. As for answering a question that has been asked a million times before, how about you "search police" keep the commonly asked question threads bookmarked. That way when a newbie asks "how does this do this" you can simply

"Well, Mr. Newbie, while that question has been asked before, here is the thread you will find most useful" (insert link here)

Doesn't that sound alot nicer? Believe it or not, we, as message boards gurus are in the SERVICE business. If we do not serve our "customers" in a nice way, they won't want our business. Personal example, I am a waiter at a restaurant. I cannot even count the times I have been asked where the bathrooms are, whats the best sauce, etc. I always answer these questions same as if I had never heard it before. An internet key example is the SVTOA boards. In recent weeks, I have had at least 25 members join my site stating how slow and uninformative the SVTOA boards are. They were drawn to my sites and most likely the others, by the simple fact that we have better service, (and for the most part free)

So, (steps down off of soap box) that is my opinion into this. If you people consider yourself to be valued members of any message board, don't be horrificly lazy and tell new people to use the search function. Stand out in your respective community, be polite and have manners, and most importantly: answer with a smile: you'd be surprised at how much repeat business you get by just simply smiling.

 

Hi Matt

 

Howdy....



Thought I would make a relevant post concerning a really troubling issue.

Hope the search police doesnt get me!

 

I think everybody needs to "chill out".

With the slam Mike Troyer got by announcing a deal Super Chips worked out with JDM I'm surprised Mike doen't stop supporting F150.

If you have a problem with a vendor talk to the vendor. Remember it's a two way street.

 

I don't think sub forums would solve a thing. (JMHO) Part of what made this a great board and a lot of people friends was the tech talk and the chit chat (or BS). Look how many groups have formed as a result of the friendships that developed thru discussions on this board. It used to be about a lot more than just being an online service/modifications manual.

 

Thanks everyone for all your support. I just thought with all that is going on in the world lately that we should all band together.

Spiro I wasn't trying to single you out, and yes this is the internet, and I have found it changes the behavior of some people. I have met a few guys who in person are the nicest guys around, but put them behing a computer scean, and they turn into a different person.

Thanks everyone
Don

 

I have a great idea.. Lets flame the search police everytime they show their silly little face on this board..

Then in a month we can start a new thread complaining about the anti-search police!

You all crack me up..

I have a great idea, lets just all ignore foolish posts and get on with our lives.

 

Scoriox: Well Put! My Buisness is the Classic example of what you just stated! JL

 

I can agree with not slamming anybody for asking an already-answered-ten-times question, and as far as I can remember I have never lashed out at anyone who did.

I have however suggested that people should at least try the search first...not because I don't want to help (I spend lots of time trying to help people here) but because it is the best way to start your quest for answers.

Telling someone that you remember a good thread on a topic from 2 months ago that they may want to search for is not playing "the search police". It's just trying to point them to information that may not be repaeted in the posts if they ask it again. Again, the key is doing it politely.

As far as I can tell, the "search police" issue is not near as threatening to the integrity and stability of this board as the infighting between the lightning tuner camps and the need some have to brutally tell someone how ugly they think his new wheels or spoiler or paint job or whatever is.....mostly it seems in the Lightning area. Like so many internet-based forums, people would be a lot better off if they only said what they would say to someones face........I don't mean that in a macho-threatening way...I mean it in a common courtesy way.

 

I say if you have a question ask it. And who cares if there are the "search police" that say use the button at the top. Because im sure for everyone of those people that post use the search there will be 10 that will have helpful information for you. So i say screw it if you got a question ask it and if anyone who reads your post just to say do a search then to those people i say if you dont like the post dont read it.
Vin

 

I disagree with Logical - if some exterior mod (think new wheels, etc...) is ugly then say it's ugly. If someone is asking your opinion I say why lie? Is that what the politically correct thing to do is?

"Oh yes, those nasty 22" yellow with black dot rims really set off your grey truck?"

I don't think so..

Honesty is the right policy.

 

Matt,

Good point man!!!! I don't know how many times I have answered people about questions I have heard a hundred times before, and I just answer the question because it is a lot easier the yelling about the search button.

I remember when I asked the notorious question about the X-plan, and I was ripped apart by certain people on this site about doing a search on the subject and then one person answered my question and I was satisfied. Now I can pass my knowledge on to people who have the same question I had and I answer them right away!!!

Some times the search doesn't work if you want to know a detail pretaining to another subject.

Just my .02

 

Can you get arrested by the "search police"? Whose the commisioner? What kinda uniforms do they wear?

I gotta know so I can keep a lookout! BTW, what's the part number for the cam bolts from NAPA?lol

 

CornerCarver: i'm not sure what the search police wear, but i know for a fact that he smokes cigars. uh, i mean THEY smoke cigars.. yeah.

also: they wear their pants up around their armpits..
and they wear silly hats with slogans like "i went to search police academy and all i got was this stupid hat"

oh, one other thing.. i see large groups of them at McDonalds early in the morning.. really early.

eerie, huh?

brooks (this is just a joke, chill out)

 

St. Louis-

I didn't say lie to them about liking their ugly wheels, I suggested it wasn't helpfull to go on and on about how ugly they were and how "if ugly slows a truck you've got to have the slowest truck here" type comments.

Tell them you like some other ones better, tell them you don't care for them so much.....whatever, but there is no need to be insulting. Like I said above, it's about common courtesy.