I am afraid to tread.....but I will.

Upon joining the club in February 2007, I raised an issue and was immediately thrown into the dungeon for doing so with several replies and a few PM's about how I should do my homework, read the manual, read the site, search (and the search feature was not as good then), browse at my own time and only THEN should I step onto the diving platform.

I think this is an argument about control versus convenience. Some people want to control the site and make it compact and therefore theoretically more useful, easier to browse, search, relocate etc. I agree with that tactic to a point. Some people treat a forum as a digital society of fellowship and want to conveniently ask any question, no matter how many times its been raised, etc. I also agree with this approach, to a point.

I suspect the answer lies between. Any savvy internet user knows to do a preliminary search before posting a question (I admit...I was NOT a savvy forum user before CC.net...I have improved). However, some do NOT, and others are lazy, and others think their question, knowing it is a common one, is still unique by circumstances and want to post.

I want to treat each of you like a friend. If you frequented a bar to meet with friends, and each time you did so, the population of friends grew.....it woudl be impossible to NOT revisit certain conversation. Imagine the old timers in the crowd groaning every time someone started a conversation that had been discussed often......a real party pooper. I know, I know. BUT.....sometimes it is about the conversation, fellowship and not the format or the rules. YET, I fully understand the amount of work that goes on for a moderator and the desire to be ultra organized and compact so this site is rich and, efficient and therefore more effective to all members.

I just wish there was not (want seems like) a lashing out at people for asking redundant questions. It DOES happen. I visit this site every day...multiple times a day. I read the redundant threads too. Once I read enough of the content to know I am uninterested, been there done that...etc....I close it.

However, I have on occasion stopped to answer the persons question VERY concisely, as best as I know how, then linked them to other threads or refer them to the nifty search function at the bottom of each thread showing similar threads (which interestingly enough does not appear until the thread is posted...but yes I know...doing a search will reveal those threads BEFORE posting redundant topics). I find that the best attitude to foster a society, friends and fellowship is to help the person in short order and then direct them to a topic as well as to remind them to do a search. Yes it takes more work, but I feel it more worth it in the end. This may not jive with the upper management, so it is merely my opinion.

Also.....I OFTEN think of questions I want to ask you guys during the day....that have NOTHING to do with the Cayman, cars or Porsche. Heck, I TRUST you all and sometimes I just want to know things and you have proven your intelligence and therefore I know (minus the rules) that you would assist me. Thats what it is all about to me. Lets keep it that way.

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Kevin