Rezal

In order for someone to make their first post, should they be *required* to read the FAQ as part of the registration process? (if this is already the case, but ignored, skip everything below!)

Although I'm new to this forum, I've been on several others to know that I should use the search function first before posting a question (my most dreaded response is "do a search")

Based on the few recent posts, however, it appears that some folks still don't know of the "search" feature when it has been *clearly* stated in the FAQ that this should be their first resort.

I hate to sound like I'm dishing out Mom-and-apple-pie (or whatever the phrase is) wisdom but this will continue happen on and on and on...

We want to welcome everyone who's new to 993 ownership (me included) but the oldtimers (or should I say old-er timers?) can only answer the same question so many times. After that, the newbie questions either get ignored or worse, gets a "did you do a search?" response.

Just my .02.

Btw, is there anyway to do a search for an entire phrase? My search for "car cover" with the "match all search terms" option turned out a gazillion responses so I had to use "carcover" instead. And, no, I haven't done a search on the "search" function...

Randy M

Rezal, This board is no different than any other board though it may be a little more civilized. The flaming is kept to a minimum voluntarily by those who post here. Cost of ownership and age undoubtedly play a part in this. Please don't take this as snobbery as I do not intend it to be, it is just a reality.
There are people who love to share information with others enthusiastically, and others who love to have a wealth of knowledge over you, of any particular topic, and will let you know of their superiority over you for not knowing.
I'm sure it can get old for some to see the same questions asked, but for me I will either not respond, or track the thread to see where it goes and maybe I might learn about something I never knew about. We all know how threads get sidetracked. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

adsc4s

I applaud you for using the search function first before posting but it should not be a pre-requisite for posting. There are cases where a problem may be asked without knowing the specific name or components involved.

I am certainly not an old-er timer but I do like to actively participate on this board. We are all free to answer or not answer questions and the ones that do reply "do a search" are educating.

That would be like not allowing participation until you become a member. If that were to happen, we would lose alot of valuable insight. However, I think we should support this wonderful site by whatever means we can.

Robert Henriksen

It's not really realistic, either. How many people carefully review the terms and conditions of the EULA (end user license agreement) to a website, PayPal account, eBay account, Microsoft Windows service pack 3, etc etc et?

You can't MAKE someone read it. You can make them click a button claiming to have, but that's fruitless.

Edward

Aside from the entertainment, technical information, and virual camaraderie I derive from this board, another one of the things that makes this such a wonderful place is that there are only a few rules which govern our behavior, leaving us free and open to discuss what we want, and the rare, inappropriate behavior is often self-governed by the rest ('cause we're all such a great bunch o' guys...and girls ). Remember, that which governs least governs best, IMHO.

Edward

ca993twin

I'm in the camp of fewer rules, and more courtesy on this (and all other boards). Instead of a snippy "do the search", it can be stated "good information if you try a search with 'oil pressure' as the key". That way, the message gets across, but in a more civilized and helpful tone.

STLPCA

Rezal
This issue comes up every few months - as you'd know had you taken the time to search.
Sorry, couldn't resist.

Rules inconsistent w/human nature are doomed to fail. It is human nature to try to attain goals (e.g., answers) w/a minimum of effort. Whether due to laziness, ignorance, or the press of time, there will always be posters seeking fast, easy help from others, rather than resorting to self-help. IMO that's not such a bad thing. It gives an "old-er timer," a newbie or anyone in between the opportunity to:

1. Ignore the post, leaving the poster to wonder if he doesn't know the secret handshake.
2. Chastize the lazy, ignorant and/or harried boor for the indiscretion.
3. Politely educate the poster about the search link w/perhaps a sample link, & maybe even answer part or all of the inquiry.
4. Simply answer the question ... again.

Personally, I prefer #1. when I'm lazy, ignorant or harried; #3. when I'm not or #4. for variety.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Great question,.......

Based on my volume of email and phone traffic, there are a LOT of people who read these Forums and never post anything. They rely on many others who ask for all kinds of help and assistance.

Speaking only for myself, I have no problem answering the same things for the varied people who read and post here for help. Everyone has their own reasons, but if someone takes the time to ask for assistance, I'm not going to be the person who tells them to check the archives or FAQ's beforehand.

Frankly, that is what this medium was intended for,..........IMHO of course.

96P993

I think the "real" question is, should you have to become a MEMBER of Rennlist in order to post???? THIS WAS A JOKE!!! <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />

DJF1

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by 96P993:
<strong>I think the "real" question is, should you have to become a MEMBER of Rennlist in order to post????</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">No...I think becoming a member is the way to show your appreciation to the site and keep it going. More like an investment on your investment for the financial minded guys. Just think how much money you saved by getting something proven instead of wasting money on mods that will do nothing. Furthermore money saved from DIY's etc.
Now giving back by becoming a member does not sound bad ha? But then again this is their choise and we cannot impose our views on everyone.

Along the same lines are my views on the subject matter. While I do not mind repeating myself if I have something meaningfull to say like a mod i have tried and tested, sometimes you took a lot of time and thought to analyze something. This does not happen everyday, sometimes it may take me half an hour or more to post something that is lengthy and analytical, so for everyone to expect the same everytime is too much I think. If a matter is beaten to death I tend to lean on the approach of providing a short answer as a summary and then prompt that person to the archives where he will find much quicker I might add an answer and multiple views on the subject matter.

A search may also lead to more educated and valid questions for someome that is brand new and benefit the "old" and "new" alike.

I think that lately this board has been a good mixture of fun, education on technical matters and a lot of very nice and helpfull people "old" and "new" alike.

Its FUN being here. Thanks to all <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Now...group hug please

David in LA

I agree with Danny, I don't think Rennlist membership should be a requirement for posting a quesion.

I do admit though that a question or favor asked by a Rennlist member vs one posed by a non-payer tends to get more attention from me. A few people here (ie John from DC) have looked at cars for me ofteimes w/o me asking, and while I think John and others are generous and unselfish persons for doing so, I have to admit that if it were me I would be more likely to check out a car for a Rennlist member than a nonpayer...but that's just me.

Subconsciously or not, I admit that I probably tend to be more helpful, patient and more receptive to Rennlist members. I do think that having group buys limited to Rennlist members (like Eric, aka liteswap, has done)is a good idea though, as participation in a group buy is a privilege and not a right...plus the coordination and posting of GBs utilizes Rennlist resouces - somewhat like posting pics.

My $0.02 <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Steve 96C4S

I think it's the actual dialog that potential owners or new members treasure. Just searching old posts for an answer to a question is easier said than done for some people. If you ask a question about something, you can get an answer and THEN ask follow up questions and develop a relationship w/ members here on the forum.

Plus, new information comes out and is discovered every month on some subjects that updates "stock" archive answers. I know that I was grateful for the new input of information to a question that I had, so I could ask a question back and start a relationship with you people.

Like others have said, if you think the question is repetitive and easily answered using the search function, BE NICE about it in your response and politely suggest checking the archive.

My 2 cents.

Steve

Rezal

Thanks for all the responses. I must say that this has got to be the nicest forum I've come across. In fact, one of the biggest factor for me to consider a Porsche over (god forbid) an M3, NSX, etc. was the PCA comaraderie. I remember being accepted as "one of the gang" when I showed up at a Bay Area PCA autox even though I didn't own a Porsche back then.

Also, I didn't mean that one had to be a *member* to post, merely that before the first post is made, the member acknowledges the FAQ, but as Robert said, we've already been conditioned to hit the OK button without reading any on-line agreement. Sorry, must be a throwback from my management consultant days - great idea, crappy implementation plan.

I'm grateful and glad that everyone has such a positive attitude towards this. I like this and will adopt a similar approach. More specifically, Dan's multiple choice approach. I aspire some day to get the Fanatic, Guru, or Specialist title (is there a "Porsche-obssessed-needs-counselling" title?) But as I've yet to do a simple oil change (or a not so simple spark plug change), I'll be more on the question side of the equation (and yes, I'll try to do a search first) rather than the answer side.

STLPCA

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Rezal:
<strong>... I aspire some day to get the Fanatic, Guru, or Specialist title ... But as I've yet to do a simple oil change ..., I'll be more on the question side of the equation ... . </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Just as clarification, the "titles" only reflect the total number of posts. All posts, whether good/bad, questions/answers, smart/dumb, helpful or not, etc. count the same, so don't assume a "Guru" has more substantive knowledge than a "newbie."