I won´t be a grinch,
but I have the impression that recently some members think to use "Search Forums" is too time-consuming.
Am i wrong in that?

 

That's a relief

I find Google better, but I'm crap at searches.
Forum search isn't the best in the world, but - yeah.

 

Completely wrong - some members have ALWAYS thought using "Search Forums" is too time-consuming.

Graham

 

You are not wrong.

From what I recall it usually happens with someone who posts a question wanting an easy answer without any effort or commitment on their part. Lots of times they disappear after we take of their need.

Sort of "wham bam thank you forum".

Seems to be a trend that spans well beyond our little world here.

 

Without the thank you

Commonly without anything like enough detail for a proper answer.

They're LAZY and THOUGHTLESS, that's all.

 

When you first visit the forum, a large pop up invites you to ask a question - its not really surprising if people do just that. Better off having a pop-up offering to search the forum, not post a new question.

Mind you if the forum search function actually searched the forum you are in, rather than the whole website, it might have a use.

Perhaps the pop-up should be a tutorial on how to use the search function, including the key advice to put in the model number you are searching for.

Until then normal people will just do as they are asked and ask a question which was first asked and answered 15 years ago...

 

I've never seen that popup but maybe it's only for smartphone users?

There are at least 2 ways to search only a particular forum:
1. called "Search this Forum"
2. via Advanced Search

The first is the more obvious and is right there on the forum page. The second has more options if you need them.

What more is needed?

To answer myself: a RETHINK of the smartphone access is needed ASAP!! It is a NUISANCE as it is now. And in several ways

 

My understanding is that there is a phone app instead. Never tried it...

 

The Ask A Question popup is on the desktop version, if you are not logged in - which will be every single new user.

The fact that the advanced search can be set to search an individual sub-forum makes it even more unforgivable that the search box right on the page doesn't only return results from the forum you are in.

 

That would be the job of the "search this forum" button on the first page of each section.

 

I do this to get the most relevant results with Google:

 

It might be an idea to have that in plain view at the top as a search box, rather than hidden away as a pulldown menu - I never even knew it existed.

An even better idea would be to make the pop up a "search this forum" rather than "ask a random question".

 

It might, but I suppose all the IB forums follow the same model.
IMO Google is the way to go for useful results unless you have a good idea of what you are looking for.
JagV8 has a helpful sticky post from 2011 with good advice to optimise searches, who has read that?
I just tried logging out and opening the forum, and no popup for me, but I probably have it blocked.

 

+1

Ask Google your question and include "Jaguar Forums" (no quotes) to get the forum answers at the top of your results. For example, your google search: how do I bleed XK8 brakes jaguar forums

I find the forum's internal search is often problematic.

 

I agree on GOOGLE Search for info. Just have to know correct question to ask. Perhaps; a new to Jaguar owner, has no reason to be concerned until they have a PROBLEM; then they panic. Dealer rates are too much for many and they begin to search sources for info. This forum is the best and most knowledgeable I've found. Members share their experiences and expertise gained through actual problem solving. After experiencing using this forum, I've determined generally which members have what areas of specialist info and trust their suggestions. We are all prone to making wrong assumptions based on sketchy info provided . Hopefully new members will assimilate (as The Borg) and provide useful input. The Thank You and Resolved is extremely useful when a problem is solved.The input I've had is limited due to "Still Learning". Been into cars since working in auto parts in high school so familiar with hard parts, but the electronics are still in learning stage. Thanks to all that have provided help to me.

 

It sounds like it's the app that's the (big) problem.

If it (or anything else) results in a popup to ask a question (especially for a newbie or non-member) it would really be much better if it instead asked for a search (by keywords or whatever). With the default being the forum you're in (*).

(*) except for General Tech where they're typically in the wrong forum and need help finding the right one

 

But it is - I just posted (post #7) and even gave its wording!

 

While this forum is indeed the best automotive forum I have ever been a member of, its search function remains fairly mediocre. But I continue to utilize it first before posting arbitrary questions that may have already been answered in previous posts....

As you utilize any search function more and more, you naturally get better at learning what key search words and phrases to type. A solid understanding of that fact will usually deliver better search results. Like anything else worth doing, it is all a matter of practice....

And I always try to remember to post the final results of my particular resolution. I know others may eventually have to deal with the same issue, and our experiences (both positive and negative) will usually assist those who follow in the same footsteps....

 

While the wham bam questions are sometimes taxing on our patience I think it comes with the territory whenever one participates in a "free" forum like this.

Don't lose sight of the goals of the providers of this free resource. The reason "ask a question" is more prominent than any search feature is to increase traffic to the site. It pays more when someone posts a question and a lot of us read that question - along with a bunch of ads. If someone goes straight to search and finds an answer then only that one person views/clicks the advertising. Where is the money in that?

Google works off of a completely different monetary model. They show people advertising in the form of search results. Businesses pay for the privilege of being placed in the top tiers of search results. If you click one of those links the business gets charged for it regardless of whether the business makes money off of that click. (For example, the guy who recently cleaned the carpets in our house pays $8 every time somebody clicks his link.)
Things that you think Google is doing to make it easier for you to get a result are designed to encourage you to click those links that generate revenue.

Google could care less if we are ever satisfied. Same with Internet Brands and the rest of the web.

Just keep clicking.

 

As long as you know it is there and understand what it does - but how would a new user know to even go hunting down the page for the "search this forum" button when there is an big obvious "search forums" box at the top of the page which searches the whole forum and returns spurious results?

It really isn't surprising that people just do as invited and post a new question rather than search for themselves.