tell me something dog ..why does it allways seem like your trying to stop people fromtalking on her abou things your allways pushing do the search do the search youll find it there... well some guys like my self probally not allways sure they did the search right or would like to see what someone eles has to say on the matter and ... to make sure they do it right...im not trying to start something with you just wondering why you seem to come off that way at alot of threads....sorry if i pushed some buttons with you but i just want to know.. thanx..joe
I hope I am not stepping on doghead's toes with this reply, but I have written a lot about it and feel I am qualified to answer.
You need to search and find the threads which already cover the topic you are interested in and
ADD to those threads. Every single thought does not require a new thread. Taking an existing thread which covers a topic you are interested in and adding to it benefits the membership by having one big, all inclusive thread with lots of data in it. Take for instance the "deuce dump conversion" thread. It consists of multiple pages, with info from multiple people who have done dump conversions. It includes pictures of Stretch's dump, Mangus580's and Gringeltaube's. So a person considering doing such a conversion to their own truck can see multiple methods and read the in-depth discussion of pros and cons, all within one thread. Now, isn't that better than having to first find and then read multiple threads? Of course it is.
Multiple times we have tried to have "search tutorials", we either invited people into chat or had threads where we tried to teach people to use the search better but there was practically no interest. If you need help with search, I will be MORE than happy to show you all the tricks I know. PM me and I'll get you to the point where you can find almost anything you want here.
The thing about wanting to know what someone else has to say on a topic can be addressed simply by bumping an existing thread. "Hey guys, I know this thread is old, but I'd like to know what you new guys think" or "Hey guys, what about X as an alternative"?
Why is search so important?
As we have repeatedly explained, there is a reason that people need to search and find the answers that are already out there instead of the same questions and answers being posted and re-posted in infinity.
When a person comes onto the forum and wants to learn about something and they do a search (let's say for insurance), they find dozens of threads. All covering the same thing.
And that person looks at all those results and says "Wow, I don't have the time to read all that" (or they are just impatient) so they add to the problem by posting a new thread which just adds to the problem.
Eventually, we will have ruined this fantastic library of information that's been amassed because the repetition in search words will make it impossible to find anything!
Here's a good example:
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/406597-post15.html
Now, if you don't care about any of the stuff I just posted, fine.
But you get another problem with heavy repetition of the same 10-20 questions.
The guys who have been in the hobby for years, the real experts, not just the guys who have had a truck for a year or two get tired of reading those same questions over and over again. Because they've answered them dozens of times. Eventually, they won't even bother to answer. So then, the only people answering your question will be newbies! Do you want them or experts answering?
So you basically begin to "dumb down" your answers and, what's worse, is that instead of having one or two threads that are in depth, intelligent discussions with a lot of answers, you get dozens of threads with just the answer you want and little else. Again, because the experts are basically staying out because they've covered that ground a million times before.
Guys, this site has over 38,000 threads and almost half a million posts. If we don't get the management of data under control, it will be total anarchy and you won't be able to find ANYTHING. When we get to the point where there are 25 threads on identical topics, ANY time a person has a question they will have to post a new thread because finding the data (needle) in the haystack of data out on the forum will be impossible.
At that point, the membership of SS won't be learning anything, we'll all be too busy repeating answers all day.
I hope this answers your question.