Quote:
Originally Posted by trackmanbfa
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Members who ask a question that has been asked many, many times before are often requested to use the forum's search function. In the majority of cases, the answers to the member's question can be found by browsing these posts. It may take some time to get used to using the search feature, but once a person becomes familiar with it, it is a valuable tool. As part of Steve's signature shows, the search function and Google are your friend.
Granted, it may take the person some additional time and effort but when the answers to the question have already been answered a number of times, it doesn't seem to make much sense to answer them again and again.
It's not a matter of members not having enough time or can't be bothered to answer. They may have answered this same question a number of times with different members. If the answers are already posted, what is wrong with asking that person to spend some time and effort looking for them?
If, after a person has tried to find the answers using the search feature and cannot, then all he/she has to do is bring that to our attention and someone will help.
Yes, they are asking for help and if no one knows the answer, we try to provide them with some resources or references where they might find the answer.
We are not trying to put them off or are too lazy and can't be bothered to answer- we are suggesting that they too put some time and effort into looking for answers that are easily obtainable. It would seem that Barryman did exactly that, found what he was looking for, thanked everyone and did not appear miffed that it was suggested he use the search function. He appeared to be quite ok with it.
SteveC7010 has put a tremendous amount of time and effort into answering members' questions. His answers are almost always thorough and easily understood. He is very willing to share his knowledge with others and to suggest otherwise is not only untrue but also unfair.