Posted by ssqu/ky on 8/25/06 10:44am
Msg #140877

Search button..Friend or Foe?

When I first became a member of NotRot I had a lot of questions about setting up, SS- G/B/U, and what would you do. I was directed to the infamous "orange" search button. Now that being said, I have found that the search feature does not always get you where you need to go. So, I ask for guidance from the following members of this forum. That brings me to why I started this post in the first place. When a member is asking for help or guidance PLEASE remember that you too was new here at one time. Being "Matter-of-Fact" by saying use the search button or this has been discussed several time does not help our fellow member. But by saying use the orange search button and type in the KEYWORD blah,blah should get the answers you need. If not, we will guide you in the right direction. That is just my 2 cents worth.

Reply by Brad_CA on 8/25/06 10:55am
Msg #140879

I agree. This board exists so that we may help each other to obtain useful information needed in our profession. It does not matter how many times it has been discussed, if a new person needs assistance, they should get it.

Reply by Becca_FL on 8/25/06 11:00am
Msg #140880

>>>if a new person needs assistance, they should get it.<<<

This is the kind of attitude that irritates the old timers.

Gimme, gimme, gimme! You are hear to educate ME! Blah, blah, blah.

Reply by Brad_CA on 8/25/06 11:12am
Msg #140882

Well Becca, this is the "Premier Website for Professional Notaries". If it is not here to assist notaries, why does it exist? Why should you be irritated? It is not about you or the other "old timers" It is about why this website exists. By the way, I am not new. I have been doing this a long time. The difference is, I am willing to help others.

Reply by Charm_AL on 8/25/06 11:30am
Msg #140894

Brad if you've been around as you say for awhile, then you've seen others assist other notaries. You can easily see that Becca, myself , Brenda, PAW, Roger, Lawrence, Ernest and even the infamous Cali will help with an answer or guidance.
Read my other post to you to answer your question about irritation.

***The difference is, I am willing to help others.*** There is no difference.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/25/06 11:39am
Msg #140897

Thanks Charm, and add to that the Queen of Notaries, Sylvia, Chicago Boob, I mean, Bob, Bev, Titlegal, Janet, Renee, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

There's no bone to pick here. I better go get my nails done now.

Reply by Brad_CA on 8/25/06 11:39am
Msg #140898

Point taken.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/25/06 11:41am
Msg #140899

Re: Search button..Friend or Foe? Brad...

Gotta love you for that... I have to concede those points more often than I like to admit. You are a good guy.

Reply by GBailey_KY on 8/25/06 11:32am
Msg #140895

Thanks ssqu/KY and Brad_Ca for your posts. There have been times that questions have arisen during my "learning curve" that I have hesitated to post dreading the thought of grumpy/sarcastic responders. I too have had difficulty finding answers to some of my questions using the search function.

Granted, it must be frustrating to those who have been a part of this forum for a long time to see the same questions time and again....particulary if it appears little research has been done. However, I don't understand why the grumpy/sarcastic responders even bother to reply to what they consider to be irritating questions of newbies....it doesn't help the person posting, nor does it reflect positively on this forum or the responder.

Please keep in mind, I am posting with regard to newby questions, because there have been some very important issues addressed that needed to be dealt with mater of factly...these are very helpful as long as the issue is attacked and not what is assumed about the person.

The posts on this forum continue to be a tremendous help to me in learning the varying aspects of my service and also to help me look at what is required of a signing agent from the different perspectives of those posting. I appreciate all of you who share your wealth of information!

Ginger

Reply by CaliNotary on 8/25/06 1:35pm
Msg #140932

If you try to search for an answer and can't find it, simply say that before you ask your question. Then we'll know that you made an effort and I seriously doubt you'll get any grumpy/sarcastic responses.

Unless your question is something that every notary should already know just by virtue of being a notary, such as how to properly complete an acknowledgement or jurat. Those questions deserve the responses that they get.

Reply by CaliNotary on 8/25/06 1:30pm
Msg #140930

"If it is not here to assist notaries, why does it exist?"

By telling new people that something has been discussed on this board several times and directing them to the search button IS helping them. In fact, it's helping them way more than just giving them the answer that they want because #1. it's showing them how much information is buried in the archives of this board, and #2, by searching and reading they're more likely to not only find the answer to the question they need answered, but can learn some other information as well.

Anybody who is truly concerned about helping newbies learn is rarely going to directly give them the answer that they want, especially on really basic stuff. They're going to teach them how to use this board to their maximum benefit.

Reply by ssqu/ky on 8/25/06 11:15am
Msg #140885

I don't think someone asking for guidance is saying >>>Gimmie, gimmie. You are here to educate ME<< if this irritates you so bad then don't post a response.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/25/06 11:12am
Msg #140883

When I was new, I read the first 2,000-4,000 messages before posting. There was no search button. That's right....no search button. You read the forum like a book and noted the posts which had good info. Furthermore, there was only ONE view. The linear view. No threaded view until you clicked on a post via linear viewing.

I don't necessarily recommend that now, but mention of the search button by a new poster tells me

1) This person is eager to learn.
2) They have been reading a while and know to attempt to search.
3) They have already navigated the learning curve associated with computer usage itself.
4) They have at least a chance of being in business for themselves.

If that person has linked to a profile, someone is likely to send them an email with an answer or a hand up no matter what state, no matter what religion, current status in life, or otherwise.

However, when it is obvious the person has no interest in the archives at all, that's rough.
1) Reading is not their thing. Bad field to be in.
2) Forums are new to them. Probably going to contribute little and expect much.
3) There's a huge learning curve in technology.
4) They probably won't do much research on many subjects and will prefer to ask for immediate response - bad field to be in. Too much work.

The mere mention of attempting the search on their own and it gives a whole new first impression of the poster.

We are here to help each other for certain. But it is up to the poster who needs info on how they want to be perceived.

Sometimes the search button does not work well. Like today. But, the effort was there and that says a whole lot.

Reply by Charm_AL on 8/25/06 11:20am
Msg #140888

Re: Search button..Friend or Foe?Oh Brad....

Don't go there, Danger. Danger, Will Robinson!...

This board is here to help the notary learn, share and research, hence the search button.

The notaries here do NOT post helpful info because they have to and are not required to help Anybody. I agree if a you needs assistance, you should get it, exhausting every resource of your own first.

Some of us that have been around for years see the same thing time and time again...
A lot of Gilligans pop up and think too cool! I can have these seasoned notaries give me test answers, if I word the question right! Or, too cool, I'll just throw up a simple basic notarial question and let this community see what a boob I am. Then crybaby because "everyone was so mean to me and hurt my feelings" This person has no right to be handling other's finances. We are not insensitive, but we got to where we are because we put our ass to work and didn't expect handouts or free rides.

Which is why there IS a pointed answer - Search and do your own due diligence.
It doesn't matter how we say it and it does not have to go thru the 'nicely' said test.
Any notary that stumbles upon this site, can find their own answers. They owe it to themselves and us to read the entire history of posts starting from day 1. Take their own notes and google til their fingers and necks are stiff. Unfortunately we have seen this argument day after day for years...We're so trained we can see ya coming a mile away.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 8/25/06 11:14am
Msg #140884

I'm going to email Harry..

....I struggled with the search feature for awhile myself. Even now I don't know how far back to go (date-wise) when searching. I don't know when this site started so I keep using the date of 2004 because that's the example given. I'll email Harry and ask him if there are instructions somewhere on this site that will help all of us new folks use "seach" more effectively. I recently learned some short cuts that I'm willing share. Just email me.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/25/06 11:17am
Msg #140886

Re: I'm going to email Harry...Michelle, today the search

feature is only pulling up info from 2004 in two searches I have done. I am sure it will be fixed within 24 hrs.

Reply by Brad_CA on 8/25/06 11:18am
Msg #140887

Re: I'm going to email Harry...Michelle, today the search

Message #1 was on 12/30/02:

Welcome to the General Discussion forum
Posted by Harry [NR] of IA on 12/30/02 1:05am
Msg #1

Please use this forum to discuss notarial procedures, share experiences, ask questions of your peers, etc. Please avoid the advertising of your services - that's what your profile is for. Thanks!

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/25/06 11:20am
Msg #140889

Re: I'm going to email Harry...Michelle, today the search

**Netiquette

5. If you plan to ask a question, Search the message archive for your answer first. Look for the following button in the forum. It is very likely your question has already been answered.**

Reply by Michelle/AL on 8/25/06 11:23am
Msg #140890

Thanks, Brenda. Normally when it's up and running how far..

...back can I search? I've been limiting my search to only 1/1/2004 as the starting point. I did email Harry.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/25/06 11:25am
Msg #140892

Re: Thanks, Brenda. Normally when it's up and running how far..

Michelle, go to msg #1 and see when that was posted. I think it's around 2003.

It seems to me like searches will usually reveal the most recent 200 posts. If you don't get it there, use the 01/01/2004 to 06/30/2004 and check out those replies.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/25/06 11:23am
Msg #140891

Brad, you should do as you feel is best...

However, those who search first get the most help from people. It's just a fact.

You cannot change that. First impressions count.

Reply by Brad_CA on 8/25/06 11:36am
Msg #140896

Re: Brad, you should do as you feel is best...

I have to agree with Charm and Brenda that the search button should be used first, before asking a question(s).

Reply by Becca_FL on 8/25/06 11:46am
Msg #140900

Wow...ladies, we have a convert.

Brad, I'm glad to see that you have an open mind and are able to discuss, argue and listen. We're really tired of the crybabies that tell us we are mean when in fact; we are sincerely trying to help.

Reply by ssqu/ky on 8/25/06 12:03pm
Msg #140903

Re: Wow...ladies, we have a convert.

I want to thank all of you for your feedback. My post was not meant as a complaint but as a Notary getting frustrated with typing in keywords to get the information needed and not being able to get what I needed in the first place. I now understand that when someone post for guidance I will ask "did you try using the search key first" and then take it from there.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/25/06 12:41pm
Msg #140915

Re: Wow...ladies, we have a convert. - ssqu/ky

Do what works for you, ssqu/ky. Don't worry how the rest of us do.

Just understand that it's ulimately the first impression of the new poster that gets them what they receive from the rest of the community.

Reply by cassiewi on 8/25/06 1:46pm
Msg #140939

As a newbie to the board myself,

I read before posting, didn't want to just jump in. Once I got comfortable and made use of the search button is when I started posting. I cannot tell you how glad I am that I found this board. If you need to know you'll find it, and if you don't find it, then someone will help you. I did a search this morning on adoption because it was the first time I have had to deal with it and found a lot of info. Just wanted to put my 3 cents in since I am a newbie too.

Reply by Joy223 on 8/25/06 1:50pm
Msg #140940

Re: Wow...ladies, we have a convert.

I am also one of those "newbies" and I have learned through this forum to do my own research first. Yes I was also told to use the famous search button. I didn't feel anyone was being mean to me but rather they were just being honest in their answer. I love all the info I have found here and I read this forum daily. I read everything here, I do google searches and recently spoke on the phone to Renee from my own state. She emailed me some great links and you can bet I will look at everyone of them and even print up the things I need to keep on hand. This is all a learning process and I for one am doing my homework. I don't believe in wanting someone to hold my hand. I get more pride in myself if I do the work myself. In closing I want to persaonlly thank each and every one of you for all the help you have given me in the past. You are a wonderful bunch of people...thank you again.

Reply by cassiewi on 8/25/06 1:51pm
Msg #140941

I second that as well, you bunch of meanies, lol.... n/m