Please read!

amen

ditto!

so true. thank you :]

I don't understand about stickies? if anyone can explain. Of course, this has probably been asked before
I always try the search function before I post a question, but I don't think the search function is very good, to be fair, and if you don't want to answer the same question again, you certainly don't have to!

In some ways I agree. It just seems to me that the sheer number of new and excited people who come on here everyday will always result in newbie questions on the message forums. And that's OK. I think in turn some of the old hands who get message fatigue will rest from answering and some who have evolved to feeling like responding will be more likely to.

I find myself not answering the same type of questions over and over. It also took me awhile as a new comer to start looking thru the sticky topics and using the search function.

I applaud all the really patient people on here who lovingly guide the new posters to the areas that can address their questions.

I don't understand about stickies? if anyone can explain. Of course, this has probably been asked before
I always try the search function before I post a question, but I don't think the search function is very good, to be fair, and if you don't want to answer the same question again, you certainly don't have to!

in each section of the forum (i.e. food and nutrition) the message topics at the VERY beginning that look like they have red tacks on them are the stickies. The stickies are universal type topics that can help answer many newbie type questions.

I actually disagree with the OP on this.

I understand that it can be frustrating to see the same questions asked over and over again. Most of that is our fault - one of the shortcomings of the site is that there isn't a great introductory tutorial to how things work. The site is pretty easy to use so most people figure it out on their own, but we really need to improve the experience for new users so that there are easy ways to learn how things work on MFP. That's on us, and we definitely plan on making some improvements there.

The other issue is that the search function on the message boards frankly stinks. It just doesn't work well. Again, that's on us, and we're planning on improving it in the future as well.

Given that, it's hard to blame new users for posting repetitive comments. And no matter what, even if the above two problems were fixed, repeat questions will still happen, although perhaps less frequently. To handle this issue, many other forums will state in their forum rules that members should use the search function before asking questions, and in fact, some even penalize users who do not search first.

We have deliberately chosen NOT to do that.

One of the BIGGEST benefits of MFP is that you can make friends and find support from our amazing community. The message boards are a huge part of that. And many people's first introduction to the message boards is because they have a question they need help with. Most people are absolutely amazed when they ask a question and receive an answer within minutes, even seconds. And many times, the result is that they've made a friend for life. At the very least, they realize that they can tap into the community to find the support they need to reach their goals, and everything we do at MFP is designed to help people reach their goals. That's all we focus on.

So imagine instead if we discouraged people from posting on the message boards by scaring people off because they didn't know to search, or even if they did, perhaps they felt their question was slightly different, yet someone posted a rant because they felt it had been asked before. Honestly, I don't think that would be a great experience for anyone.

Again, I know it can be frustrating to see repeat questions, and as I mentioned earlier, we are working on trying to make some improvements so that some of the simpler repeat questions at least are avoided. We have other ideas as well about how to make the forums a bit more interesting for our more experienced members. But please remember that we were all newbies once, and that the benefit of asking a question is not just getting the answer, but also meeting the person who answers it. And in many cases, we feel that the relationship that can form is the most valuable part.

i agree that it can be a pain to read the same thing over and over, but no one is forcing anyone to read, or reply when they don't want to.. some ppl are just not computer savvy ( i mean i never knew what a sticky was untill i read this thread) , and i agree that some ppl think that their question might be slightly different than what is already out there. i think it is nice to get different opinions from the ppl on here who don't mind answering questions from us newbies. and lets keep this site free even if that means that there are some problems with it.

Well that was a tad bit harsh.

What is so incredibly outstanding about this site to me is the encouragement and support individuals can find here. I think there are plenty of people who don't mind answering the same questions over and over. I would be one of those people! Of course, answering questions about nutrition is my career field so I'm used to it.

In all fairness, maybe you didn't mean to be harsh. I'm sure it'll be alright to offer a bit of friendly advice to individuals who aren't wise to the "search feature." But certainly don't exhaust yourself answering questions you don't want to answer. Someone else will be happy to help out I'm sure!

Mike, I love love LOVE this site and share it with colleagues on a regular basis! Thank you and your brother for offering this service for free! You are both OUTSTANDING!

I actually disagree with the OP on this.

I understand that it can be frustrating to see the same questions asked over and over again. Most of that is our fault - one of the shortcomings of the site is that there isn't a great introductory tutorial to how things work. The site is pretty easy to use so most people figure it out on their own, but we really need to improve the experience for new users so that there are easy ways to learn how things work on MFP. That's on us, and we definitely plan on making some improvements there.

The other issue is that the search function on the message boards frankly stinks. It just doesn't work well. Again, that's on us, and we're planning on improving it in the future as well.

Given that, it's hard to blame new users for posting repetitive comments. And no matter what, even if the above two problems were fixed, repeat questions will still happen, although perhaps less frequently. To handle this issue, many other forums will state in their forum rules that members should use the search function before asking questions, and in fact, some even penalize users who do not search first.

We have deliberately chosen NOT to do that.

One of the BIGGEST benefits of MFP is that you can make friends and find support from our amazing community. The message boards are a huge part of that. And many people's first introduction to the message boards is because they have a question they need help with. Most people are absolutely amazed when they ask a question and receive an answer within minutes, even seconds. And many times, the result is that they've made a friend for life. At the very least, they realize that they can tap into the community to find the support they need to reach their goals, and everything we do at MFP is designed to help people reach their goals. That's all we focus on.

So imagine instead if we discouraged people from posting on the message boards by scaring people off because they didn't know to search, or even if they did, perhaps they felt their question was slightly different, yet someone posted a rant because they felt it had been asked before. Honestly, I don't think that would be a great experience for anyone.

Again, I know it can be frustrating to see repeat questions, and as I mentioned earlier, we are working on trying to make some improvements so that some of the simpler repeat questions at least are avoided. We have other ideas as well about how to make the forums a bit more interesting for our more experienced members. But please remember that we were all newbies once, and that the benefit of asking a question is not just getting the answer, but also meeting the person who answers it. And in many cases, we feel that the relationship that can form is the most valuable part.

Mike,
First, you've done an amazing job so far - this is the only site I've seen (and I've looked) where both the tools and the community are great. Usually one of those components is sorely lacking.

Of course there are areas for improvement, as there always will be, since a dynamic and growing site has to keep evolving. The newbie tutorial and a better search function being at the top of the list, IMO. I think some people get frustrated more at defending some of the answers to the frequently asked questions - I don't tire of answering them, it's just hard when someone comes back and contradicts the info, often in a dangerous (ie promoting unhealthy/unsafe advice) way. As mentioned on another thread, a voice of "authority" would help greatly with that.

But you made an outstanding point regarding helping/meeting new people. I would probably have about 5 friends on my list and still be feeling somewhat "on my own" if I hadn't started really using the boards. And I wouldn't have done that without asking/answering questions.

So thank you for creating (and defending) an environment that promotes reaching out to eachother to help each of us meet our goals!

If you find yourself getting upset about people re-asking things, perhaps take some time away from the forums until you're able to cool down. The sheer fact that people are HERE and wanting to ask questions in order to better themselves is FABULOUS.

If I wanted to simply read a bunch of already-posted information, I'd buy one of the ten-million weight-loss books out there. But I prefer to chat with actual members, some (ok, many!) of which are likely going through the same struggles as myself. Additionally, not everything people post is going to be already-discussed (for example, some people like to ask about THEIR situation specifically).

Really - people are trying to be healthy, happy, and in shape. How can you deny them that, simply because you're "too tired" of answering questions? If you don't want to answer - don't! But let the rest of us ask as MANY questions as we feel we need to.

Sheesh. :grumble:

What separates a community from being simply a 'wiki' is the ability to ask questions and interact. I'm sure all of the answers provided here could probably be googled somewhere too - but its the human experience that's being shared with the knowledge that is adding some motivation.

Also - repetitive questions are a great way for the new 'success story' members to share and pass on their new found knowledge with those just starting out. Sort of like a never-ending chain - as the 'old guard' tire out and fall away they are replaced by those still with a burning desire to share bought about by there recent triumphs.

I see the OP's point. Sometimes I see the same exact question 3 or more times in the SAME DAY!

But really, what does that matter? You don't have to answer it if you don't feel like it. Just ignore it!

What an amazing answer, thank you for your insight. BTW, your customer service skills are awsome!!!!!

If you find yourself getting upset about people re-asking things, perhaps take some time away from the forums until you're able to cool down. The sheer fact that people are HERE and wanting to ask questions in order to better themselves is FABULOUS.

If I wanted to simply read a bunch of already-posted information, I'd buy one of the ten-million weight-loss books out there. But I prefer to chat with actual members, some (ok, many!) of which are likely going through the same struggles as myself. Additionally, not everything people post is going to be already-discussed (for example, some people like to ask about THEIR situation specifically).

Really - people are trying to be healthy, happy, and in shape. How can you deny them that, simply because you're "too tired" of answering questions? If you don't want to answer - don't! But let the rest of us ask as MANY questions as we feel we need to.

Sheesh. :grumble:

i couldn't agree more