Using the search feature - spec. Trader Joes
I'm curious how many people use the search feature before starting a thread?
It seems often the same question will be asked again and again. I know there are new people here, and the talk forum is a type of online 'conversation'.....but sometimes it feels like the same questions are asked often.
When I typed in Trader Joes, there were more than 10 pages....and I counted at least 6 times where a variation of 'what is your favorite Trader Joes item' was asked.....in one instance only a month apart from each other last spring.
Am I the only one that this bothers? And I do apologize for this bothering me....perhaps it's a small thing to many....it just seems to happen so often lately for so many topics.
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22 Comments:
It doesn't bug me -- if there's a thread that's a re-hash of another and I'm not interested then I don't read it. On the flip-side, a lot of new people have been posting and responding. Maybe we'll learn something from a new voice?
Dominic
the zen kitchen
dvchurch at 4:08PM on 08/07/08
mepolo- I am the one who started the Trader Joe's thread. I'm not going to apologize, though, because I AM new to Serious Eats, and who gives a crap if I post something that was covered over a year ago? If you don't like it, ignore it. But it's not like the same people are posting the same things every time. I have actually learned quite a lot of new things from the people who wrote a response, and I think that is more than enough reason to post, even if it is a repeat.
littlesalsi at 4:17PM on 08/07/08
I don't think mepolo was angry or nasty about this subject; the only reason that I would mention the Search feature is because a new person may not know it is there (and very user friendly) and if you want a quick idea about something, searching first may give you just what you need. It does seem a shame to ask members to answer a thread over and over for a suggestion that may have already been made many times.
That being said, there is always the chance that something new can be added to the old conversation!
(And welcome, by the way!)
Cary at 4:29PM on 08/07/08
It's one thing to post the same topic from a year ago -- but the original Trader's Joe post is barely a week old. It was posted on 7/31.
For me, posting the same topic again today is unnecessary. I read the comments from the original post, but don't feel inclined to read today's...there are too many newer, interesting post to read.
sfgoo at 4:30PM on 08/07/08
I responded to a previous TJ's post, but hadn't discovered the baguettes yet, so this was a new opportunity for me to include it =)
avideater at 4:31PM on 08/07/08
So don't read them, and if you've already responded and don't feel like repeating yourself... don't. That's just my opinion though. I'm bored at work all day so the more the posts the merrier in my eyes.
avideater at 4:41PM on 08/07/08
Welcome littlesalsi! I agree, mepolo wasn't trying to be mean. There are SE posters who will "post out" from time to time about topics that are bothersome to them.
Personally, I read what interests me and ignore anything I find redundant. Which isn't often as I am an SE junkie! I love learning new stuff.
Also, this site can be spirited at times and I particularly am entertained by that.
izatryt at 4:41PM on 08/07/08
I have noticed it so before I begin a topic I search to see if it's been recently addressed before. If it's been a while (6 months or more) I don't object to seeing the subject repeated.
bessfour at 5:00PM on 08/07/08
I will definitely search before posting next time. I did not realize how upsetting it would be. I'm just new, and I've been racking my brain about what kind of topic I could come up with. This is the best I could do for now. Lame-o. I should've known it had been brought up before.
littlesalsi at 5:15PM on 08/07/08
I'm serious you should definitely get these baguettes. They're life changing.
avideater at 5:19PM on 08/07/08
Oh avideater, I plan on it. TONIGHT.
littlesalsi at 6:54PM on 08/07/08
No...I wasn't trying to be mean....that's why I didn't call you out specifically @littlesalsi. I think I'm just having a cranky day....but I did want to point out that there is a search capability for this. You are definitely not the first person to post something that had been asked in the past 6 months again, in fact I may be guilty of it myself....that's why I apologized for letting it get to me today. I know that I have the ability to read or not read whatever has been posted.....I think I need chocolate today.....
mepolo at 6:55PM on 08/07/08
Oh yea...we don't have Trader Joe's in WNY...so maybe I'm jealous too! lol
Although we do have Wegmans......... ;-)
mepolo at 6:55PM on 08/07/08
Speaking of chocolate, I have discovered a really amazing thing. Godiva sells little tins called Godiva chocoiste pearls. My favorite flavor is dark chocolate pearls with mint. These little balls of heaven are so ridiculously good. Check them out here
littlesalsi at 7:10PM on 08/07/08
I don't mind so much because sometimes a topic still has life left in it, but it drops off the bottom of the list and dies away because of that. Then if someone posts to it again, if other topics are hot, the comment goes unnoticed because it falls off the "recently commented on" list as well.
If someone is looking for a specific answer to a question, it makes sense to search, but if they're trying to start chatting about a topic they're interested in, a search isn't going to do what they need.
dbcurrie at 2:31AM on 08/08/08
In all fairness I often get a bit tripped up at things posted repeatedly, but I do not bring it up. Why? If someone wants to talk about something, what do I care? If I don't want to read it or answer it, I don't
As for the new person who didn't know to search topics, now you know.
Come on people let us be a wee bit more civil to each other.
Wait till October comes I will talk about thanksgiving till you want to kill me. Then the cookie talk. It is almost a certainty we will have repeats.
Agree to not agree and move on.
JerzeeTomato at 4:29AM on 08/08/08
I think part of the problem is just the set up, here - in most forums, you can "revive" a thread and it gets pushed to the top of the list again, where everyone can see it and recontribute ....
KarynMC at 7:39AM on 08/08/08
I think it's common sense when one goes to any new forum to sit and lurk for a while (at least a week, or much longer when it's more scholarly) to observe the general attitude of the place and topics, as well as learning to use the search function and FAQ, if available.
What is annoying, aside from posting the same question every few days, are people who necro-post and contribute nothing in content. Fortunately at SE, this isn't an issue since the topics drop off if there's no interest after 7 responses.
Cassaendra at 7:42AM on 08/08/08
@Cassaendra ~ I know what you mean. On another site I visit it happens a lot. Someone will have asked a question about something time sensitive and a poster will answer the question 2 years later. That drives me a bit batty.
izatryt at 7:52AM on 08/08/08
I want life changing baguettes! Oh wait...I don't have a Trader Joe's/WHole Foods/Wegman's near me. Boo.. :(
*sniff, sniff*
Just wanted to add a little humor-although, I am serious.
Butrflygirly at 9:52AM on 08/08/08
Hmm, I've never seen those baguettes at TJ's before - the one by me is pretty small. :( I'll have to keep an eye out though..
mrsbao at 11:22AM on 08/08/08
@mrsbao The par-bake baguettes are in the bakery section, with the "fresh bake" breads in paper bags. They are sourdough baguettes, 2 to bag.
gnomatic at 7:38PM on 08/08/08