Suggestions for new posters

[JB]

Howdy. To get the best and quickest help here, I have a few suggestions:<br /><br />BEFORE you start asking questions on these Forums by following the good advice listed below PLEASE read this FIRST. It can save you, and our Forum contributors a LOT of time.<br /><br />These Forums have a very good “Search” feature, just like search engines have, to find answers to many of your engine, fishing, boating and related questions. That means that you can do a single or multi-word search in these Forums and then read what others have already said on these Forums on that specific topic. Just click on the red printed word SEARCH at the top of this and every Forum page, then type in the search word(s) you want information on and then hit the “Search” button at the bottom of the page. Happy Searching!<br /><br /> EDIT: 5-20-2003 In addition to the search function, there is now a site with thousands of pages of Q&A, catalogued. Go to www.outboardrepairs.com and look up your problem.<br /><br />Once you have tried to search and outboardrepairs.com but still need to post a topic, here are some tips to posting:<br /><br />1. State your problem in the name of the topic.<br /><br />2. Don't capitalize except where it is normal.<br /><br />3. Don't clutter up your request for help with HELP!!! or PLEASE!!!. We know you want help. Screaming at us will not increase the speed or quality of the help.<br /><br />4. All posts related to your request should be posted as replies to that topic, not on a new topic.<br /><br />5. Don't add a new question to someone elses topic. If you have a question, make a new topic.<br /><br />6. Be patient. If you haven't had a reply, it is because no one with a useful reply has come along.<br /><br />7. Please be concise. Long, rambling tales with important info buried in the narrative are very hard to read and understand. Some helpers will just ignore it.<br /><br />Welcome. There are a lot of experts here ready to help you solve your problem.<br /><br />

 

[MGuckin]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

Good point JB. ^5<br />I have been guilty of being impatient but I have learned (kinda). <br />All caps, on the internet, is the same as shouting, but some people don't know that yet.<br />Patience is a virtue and a definate virtue when you are asking for free advise.<br />Why repost a question if nobody was able to answer it from the first post? Maybe post in the same topic but not start a new 1. We need to keep this topic near the top.<br /> <br />Mike

 

[screenbuzz]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

hey JB i like yor suggestions. one thing i have learned being new to boating and posting on this forum, is to do a search on the problem or question that i have first. saves a lot of time when my question has already been asked buy someone else or solutions to my problem have already been given. jmo

 

[12Footer]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

Exactly, Screenbuzz. But I am guilty of some of the above guidelines myself, by posting a another question in a related thread.Also,I tend to use caps liberally.<br /><br /> But they are just guidelines that make things go smoother. I don't have much to add iether,as JB pretty much nailed it.<br />But here is one.Make sure the year/make/model/hp are in the thread someplace,and best if it is the thread's title.<br />If it directs you to an older thread, to add, don't fret,as when you post, it brings it up to the front.

 

[IOWA BOATER]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

Sorry about the caps, guys. Appreciate the heads up.

 

[jegervais]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

Good post J.B., I could only add 1 thing:<br /><br />Please post the model number of your motor, it will expedite things.<br /><br />-John

 

[albany joe]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

this is good. bulletin board etiquette. i would add that if you receive useful information, please acknowledge it. there are some boaters who supply a lot of good information. this is time consuming. their efforts should be appreciated.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

ALSO, I ghave another "pet-peave"..It's not a biggie,but noticed many requests for used parts here in the engine forum. I guess it woiuld only seem logical,that us boat guys may have just the right part sitting in our garage,collecting dust,and be willing to practicly give it away.<br />This may just be true..But usually (and I can only speak for myself here), I try to avoid the subject here,and have found ebay to be the best spt on the web to fine used stuff cheaply. Anywhere else on the web,you can expect to pay half of new price for the same component.<br />But whether or not someone here has it here, it is not the place for it. I have asked Adminn5 five for a "Buy/sell" thread, but it's been a long time ago, and forgot what he said on the subject.I'll ask again.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

What I'd like to see is everyone read all the posts within a topic, before adding their comments...

 

[crab bait]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

i like how organized things are here at IBOATS.. they've got slots for every topic .. even for STUPID stuff.. don't post NON engine stuff on the engine board.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

Stuff like this <SEE LINK> is exactly what J.B. is talkin about;<br />Now click on this, and tell me how you would help this person with a desperate plea for help;<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=17;t=009396#000002

 

[marcmccain]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

schematic hit the nail on the head. I've had many questions; but before asking I took the time to read through all the old postings. I found that about 99.9 percent of my questions had already been asked and thoroughly answered by friendly, courteous and knowlegable folks. <br /><br />Reading before asking prevented making all you nice folks rewrite redundant answers to redundant questions.<br /><br />My best suggestion is that new folks should spend an evening reading through old postings-- its both informative and enjoyable. Then they wouldn't be guilty of acting like that gal/fellow called cindytim... Reminds me of a new kid who moves into the neighborhood and on the first day introduces themself by kicking sand and generally being obnoxious to a great group of kids who really enjoy playing in that particular sandbox.<br /><br />My two cents worth... Having said that, I've only one more thing to add before getting off my soap-box. My sincere thanks to everyone who has taken time from their otherwise very busy lives to help me.

 

[Admin5]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

JB and those who commented above,<br />I was traveling in Florida all this week so I would have responded to this excellent post earlier. You all hit it right on the head with very good suggestions. Please everyone take a look at the Register Page (you will have to log out to do this) and you will see suggestions at the top now instead of just legal jumbo-mumbo. This will hopefully at least help with new "greenies" coming in to post for the first time. We will look into other ways as MGuckin suggested as well.<br /><br />Please don't ever start your own web site you guys because you would blow us amateurs out of the water!

 

[G DANE]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

Maybe one thing could be added:<br /><br />Please report back, when you solved your problem.<br /><br />Its always good to know your help is appreciated and knowing what solves a problem makes further advising easyer. Ive been among those who forgot too. Sorry. Thank to everybody for help.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

Attention All Engines and Motors Posters: Please post as much info about your engine as possible when you post questions, i.e. manufacturer, make, model number, horsepower, year, etc. Our forum members/experts need this info to help you.<br />Amen.

 

[phoenix]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

I am a new member and I agree that people should read old posts before asking a question. some of my questions had already been asked and answered so i didn't need to ask again.<br /><br />thanks for your hope and good advice that I have read from many of you over and over again

 

[RJS]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

Xcuse me for my ignorance, bur what the H#ll does "^" mean. You shouldn't be lecturing newcomers on board about edicate when you see message after message that reply is " ^ ". Not very informative or useful. Not even funny.<br /><br />IMHO

 

[hltenterprises]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

I love the search function. just found answers to to questions that would have been two post if I had not looked.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

...b^mp...<br />Sometimes knowledgebases are built in a way, that makes searching more obvious than posting.<br /><br />If this board was searched by folks in need before asking, the pleasure of helping would gain significally..

 

[terryc]

Re: Suggestions for new posters

Regarding replies to advice, It's always sad to see such good recommendations and sometimes no acknowledgement by original poster. Just a simple "thanks guys" lets the advisers know that their contribution was received and not in vain.