And that's what we're here for, support via our experiences.
However, google searches do show previous TB posts on the question you might be asking. Of course times change and so do opinions.
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Please provide context for your questions
- Thread starter BobDeRosa
- Start date
However, google searches do show previous TB posts on the question you might be asking. Of course times change and so do opinions.
Yeah, I think its better to use Google search with Talkbass in the query as it seems to work better. But, when someone new starts a thread about, say, a 410/115 rig, I don't feel like its wrong to point out that its been done to death here, and to do a search.
Yeah, I get the slight frustration reading questions that are so broad that are hard to answer... but most times the OP is not trying to be difficult, they're probably a bit overwhelmed but all the options. Remember what it was like when you were a complete newbie? I do... there were so many things that were a mystery to me that now just make me laugh at how I could be so clueless...
While context and further info is important in order to give a good answer, I think it's important that people don't feel intimidated and they can ask anything. If it's so vague that I don't know what to say and can't be bothered replying to ask for clarification, I skip the thread and hopefully somebody else will reply in a helpful manner. Other times I do take the time and I try to get to the issue myself. Simply because it feels good when you're lost and somebody takes the time to help you a little.
Let's not make people feel restricted. If we feel a thread is useless, we can always skip.
For us GASaholics, it could also be said that the Search Engine is your fiend.
So what size of speakers should I buy anyway?
The worst part about the lack of clarity is that the older, more established crowd doesn't read the responses and just answers with the same thing that 20 other people have already said.
The other worst part is when you are truly specific, you usually only get a couple of replies which may or may not be helpful.
Finally, the bane of forum life. To all of the "do a search" or "I searched for 10 years before joining" crowd...should we get off your lawn? This place would be a ghost town if we all spent our time searching the site for answers rather than asking common questions.
Let people ask their questions. If you've answered the same question 100 times, let someone else do it. It might be their first time being helpful. You joined a forum, not a club for professionals that only answers specific queries. If the question isn't clear, let someone else clarify and then actually read the responses. Most of us start with the simple questions, only when you have the answers to those can you ask the next ones.
I'll leave you with this. Most people don't listen to hear, they listen so that they can respond. Listening to hear is a hard skill to master.
The worst part about the lack of clarity is that the older, more established crowd doesn't read the responses and just answers with the same thing that 20 other people have already said.
The other worst part is when you are truly specific, you usually only get a couple of replies which may or may not be helpful.
Finally, the bane of forum life. To all of the "do a search" or "I searched for 10 years before joining" crowd...should we get off your lawn? This place would be a ghost town if we all spent our time searching the site for answers rather than asking common questions.
Let people ask their questions. If you've answered the same question 100 times, let someone else do it. It might be their first time being helpful. You joined a forum, not a club for professionals that only answers specific queries. If the question isn't clear, let someone else clarify and then actually read the responses. Most of us start with the simple questions, only when you have the answers to those can you ask the next ones.
I'll leave you with this. Most people don't listen to hear, they listen so that they can respond. Listening to hear is a hard skill to master.
Of course it's no big deal to reply by simply asking all the questions you need answered before you can unlock the coffers of your starry wisdom and offer your sage opinion. It worked for Solomon. So why not us? 
If you're too busy, or you don't feel like typing, you can always cruise over to the classifieds and do some shopping.
If you're too busy, or you don't feel like typing, you can always cruise over to the classifieds and do some shopping.
^This.
A lot of people seem to lose sight of the fact a forum is a conversation - not a reference book.
It'd be really cool if the people who complain they've answered or seen the same question answered a hundred times would just write up their definitive answer and publish it in TB's wiki. A wiki is the thing to use if you want to gather, organize, and refine the collective wisdom of the membership. And it's easily TB's most underutilized feature.
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Yeah, if I have the time I'll ask clarification questions. As @Stumbo said above, without a budget, all of those discussions are useless. I would also add that a rough geographic location helps too. I have been able to point several people in the right direction by literally linking them to a CL ad down the street from them.
No should ever feel obligated to read and answer every post. There was a thread a while ago from a guy who felt it was 'his job' to answer every pickup wiring question and he was going to 'quit' because he was irritated that people kept asking the same questions again and again. He actually chastised the group and insinuated they were idiots because they didn't get it. Yikes! If one is that passionate about a topic, write a book and get it published. After that, can't save the world.
Like others have mentioned, this is a forum or conversation. It needs to be open, inviting, welcoming, and friendly. If not, hits will drop, ad revenues will drop, and it will close down.
Just be guided by these two essential principles:
1) If you don't know where you are, a map won't help you.
2) If you don't know where you're going, any road will do.
1) If you don't know where you are, a map won't help you.
2) If you don't know where you're going, any road will do.
Bingo! Well said!!
Some, like me, still see ourselves as newbs.
Posessing a "Beginner's Mind" (and a little humility) is the best way to go through life if you want to be continuously learning.
