"Search" BUTTON NEEDS TO BE BIGGER and MORE NOTICABLE

[Altex]

There's alot of new members posting the same basic questions. I don't think they see the "Search" button at first, because it does not stand out. Most websites have a Search function with a window you can type in on the 1st page. That would be nice.

Is there a way we can at least make it larger? Like this:
"SEARCH (Previous Posts)"

With the volume that this website is growing, this would really reduce redundant posts. Not trying to discourage new members from posting (as I am one of them) but, just trying to make this website more efficient.

Do y'all agree?

 

[kennyd]

I don't think it will matter, There could be a big red button that stayed centered on the screen and people will still not use it IMHO. Everybody thinks their question is unique enough to warrant asking it in a new thread, and some even get snippy when you suggest to them to use the search function.

 

[RickB]

I don't think it will matter, There could be a big red button that stayed centered on the screen and people will still not use it IMHO. Everybody thinks their question is unique enough to warrant asking it in a new thread, and some even get snippy when you suggest to them to use the search function.

Exactly.

 

[Bird]

Everybody thinks their question is unique enough to warrant asking it in a new thread.

That's part of it, but also, in my opinion, some of us just like the personal visiting and discussion vs. just looking up the answer and reading; i.e., personal interaction vs. a library.

However, I'd have no objection to making the "Search" function stand out more; just don't know whether it would make any difference or not.

 

[richardbro]

I use it once in a while and each time I need to 'hunt' for it. Alas, I'm hitting 50 this year and forgetting things more than I'm used too...
I've been working with UIs and computers for 20-odd years so I shouldn't be forgetting things like that but maybe it would help making the search button a bit morew apparent.

 

[Scooby074]

The search button is your friend. Some sites i go to will really let you have it if you dont search. Cuts way down on the duplicate posts, but not keeping in the friendly nature of TBN.

 

[JB4310]

I have not had good luck with searches the few times I tried it, never seem to find what I'm looking for.
Unless it's putting some burden on the web site, IMO I don't see a problem with rehashing common questions.

You'll always get new perspectives from new members.

JB.

 

[srjones]

For those who have been reading TBN for years, it's obvious that a given subject has been discussed many times and the new user should just search for it.

However, for the new user they might not even know what the right terms to search.

The more a subject has been discussed, the more there is to read and digest. Consider the following search on gauge wheels. 1290 results.

gauge wheels site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

While it would certainly be educational to read through each one, that's a lot of reading.

Since we don't have a FAQ, a helpful link to a good thread would be much better than a strong rebuke to use the *#$@ search engine.

 

[jaybrad]

So, does this mean that someone has already asked about the advantages of R4 tires over turf or Ags?

How about synthetic motor oil? Or was that thread on the Harley web site?

I gotta agree that the search feature takes some getting used to in order to get useful answers - or maybe it's just me.

Now can we talk about why red tractors are so much better than other colors?

 

[Bird]

Since we don't have a FAQ

Maybe I'm confused or don't know just what you mean by that, but the "FAQ" button is on the same line as the "Search" button. If you click on the "FAQ", then click on "General Forum Usage", then click on "Searching Forums and Threads" the instructions are there.