Is there a way for newbies to find stuff easier than just posting over and over again

It is discouraging to us veterans of the format to keep reading and answering the same questions over and over again.

Do the newbies know how to search?????
Are the newbies able to find what they need when they search??????

I don't want to turn away newbies but there has to be a better way other than asking the same questions in new topics.

When a newb myself I found the search function on the database has limitations. For example it's very bad for searching on model numbers.

Sometimes it's better to use google and include 'lddb' in the search term.

Of course this assumes the person thinks to search for answers first and do some research; rather than take the easy/lazy path and just ask.

The included phpBB3 search function is indeed limited and deals badly with dashes (-) which happens to be heavily used in Japanese LD reference number and in almost ALL LD player names.

A quick alternative could be to side-track Google search adding the keyword "site:forum.lddb.com <your search>"

For example, searching for "HLD-X9" doesn't really help here:



Google will recognize it's a forum and mostly look through the topic titles:

https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aforum.lddb.com+HLD-X9



I haven't found a reasonable solution to this yet.

Julien

You are no newb! Don’t lie

If I see a user (new or otherwise) starting a topic that's already been discussed before I try to direct them to the original (or most popular) thread when I can remember where it is, though they're not always easy to find even for me.

Would it be worth adding a sticky topic with links to common/useful discussions?

Well I can't argue with that! but;

'When' here is specifically referring to back when I was new to LDDb; and kind of new again to LD too after not touching a player or disc for 15+ years, thankfully I did my research and thanks to plenty of informative posts from yourself and people like disclord and kurtis and many more got myself back up to speed again (and then some - full 2700rpm!!).

Same with local FB group (when I can be bothered doing the work for others!).


This could work; but the problem is deciding which threads to link for which questions and there are often many multiples of each. Also I found there can be some diversity in opinions and reading multiple threads, often from more than one search, gave me a much more balanced and informed viewpoint before trying things for myself. I'm a firm believer in doing your research, and the possibility of a multiplicity of solutions depending on circumstances, however most of us humans seem to want to just be spoon-fed a simple answer to everything.

It’s called a FAQ. I support the creation of one, a sticky thread, etc.

As long as we stay newb friendly and don't just beat them all around the head with the FAQ : )

I was searching on the internet a few nights ago looking at wiring diagrams for guitars and found this other topic site.

Has a great video to give basic soldering skills and really slams it home to do a search before and read before you ask the
same questions again and again.

I'm glad its not just the LD people but seems like all of a certain age or mindset are very lazy and don't want to search down
for themselves.
https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1019006

Wish we could have some type of topic like this for basic searching of things like disc rot, player repair etc.

Turns out even sticky threads are not checked before asking question (not even global topics).

So, last week-end I moved the "View unread posts" and "View active topics" to the top button bar (left).

I will also insert a welcome/FAQ links text box on the main screen for new comers to give hints.

Eventually the details about specific player models should become "notes" in the LD Player database section I'm working on.

We have AC3RF and Aspect Ratio help pages, adding one for connectors and disc sizes should help too.

I just need a bit of spare time and full recovery after I got sick for a while.

Julien

Hope you are better soon Julien.

Take care.

Found how to do that properly, right now it only says:



So... what minimal/basic information and links should we provide to newcomers?

Julien