Why keep asking?

[rufuscat]

Do you mind if I grouse just a little?
Why do so many people ask the same question
that has been answered earlier (again and again)?
Doesn't anyone read the previous answers or
questions, or am I the only one sufficiently
interested to do this as the answers are well
worth it.

[Lipsiot]

I dare say some of it can be put down to laziness but, in my case, I do try to find a previous answer before I post a question.

This is not always easy, as some questions are not clear when they are posted, sometimes the site runs horribly slowly and a search for a question can take a long time, and human error also dictates that sometimes you just won't see a previous answer.

It may grouse you that some ask the same questions, but it also riles me when someone replies "This has been answered before" when I have tried to look.

[johnalex]

Hi Rufuscat - this question has been asked several times before!

[chriscase]

Yes I agree. I always try to look to see if my question has already been answered but have sometimes missed it. I have also been told - sometimes in quite an offhand manner- that the answer has already been given. This can be quite off putting.

[rosie25]

Yes i too look at the questions and answers posted already before i post a question.

[rufuscat]

Thanks everyone - I feel better for that!
The question arose because a lot of others
have also been grumbling about how slowly
AB is running lately, and I had wondered
whether 'the system' was getting rather
bogged down with unnecessary repetition.

I know the grouse has emerged before but
hasn't been answered quite as fully - so perhaps
it was due for another airing.

[gen2]

Penylanstill wants to know (at 19:16)
one left! 22 across Surname of a famous fashion designer (5) O?b?k

Anyone interested can do their own search and find out how many times this has been asked (and answered) already today.

[gen2]

More seriously though, I think some people do search, but don't realise that the on-site search engine actually defaults to 'The Web' and don't click on 'This Site' before hitting return.

You would think that this site would want to keep people here and should default to searching the 'Site'? But no, money talks and someone is sponsoring them to use this search engine.

Am I being too cynical?

[Pekoe]

Some of us may not be as used to navigating the page as you.

[slipnot]

Human nature dictates that some people will search, some people are lazy and some (like me) would like the search facility to be faster to use, i.e. when I search using name of crossword, results are not in chronological order or over a year out of date... if I enter the date, some are April or /04, or no date! Probably puts people off.

[frannie38]

I always look, but people do not put the proper quiz title so the previous answers don't come up.

[berny]

I quite agree rufuscat! i very rarely post a question cos i look up previous answers first

[fairoak]

If people didn't grouse and idiots like me didn't answer the site might be quicker!!

[dwil]

Has anyone noticed how often people ask a question that has been answered?

[tcmoon]

I agree, but also, I LIKE to peruse ALL; questions/answers because, learning is good and one never knows what one may not have known before could be included. Even if it's just to ensure I win at Trivial Pursuit lol

But overall, I think sometimes, some members may just have the ONE question that needs answering and may not have time to peruse the entire board in order to ascertain the one correct reply that they need. Usually I only have one or three questions I might need answering or confirming but reading some messages, some questions and some answers can be entertaining...

And I need to get out more....! :)

[rubycat]

and sometimes it is because we are new to the sight and don't know how it works, and other times it is because people find it easier to just go straight to AB rather than try to research it which really annoys me!