Another mini rant

[Gretel]

I sometimes wonder if people who post do a search on this board to see if they find enough information on a subject to help them along.

I know it can get rather cumbersome to find the right post within all the posts that come up when searching. Sometimes I am lucky and sometimes I give up.

Of course, us "old timers" I somewhat a feel of questions that have been asked in past and are somewhat in an advantage.

So, is the problem not even trying or giving up being overwhelmed or something else?

I mean, sometimes a question is thrown my way I don't even know where to start or what to look for, or even how to ask a question. Then I feel it is really great to have all you to steer me in the right direction, even if I still have to figure everything out myself.

[Burke]

Of course, us "old timers" I somewhat a feel of questions that have been asked in past and are somewhat in an advantage.
So, is the problem not even trying or giving up being overwhelmed or something else?.

Sometimes I know I have seen it on the board and cannot find it. Part of the problem is that often titles have no relevance to the subject posed, which make it more difficult to find.

[ruthc]

I know what you are saying

If you are an old timer I can relate to what you are saying. I am fairly new to this discussion forum and I am finding it very informative. I do look back for subjects that I have quesitons on. Most of the time the answers don't fully answer what I am looking for. Also, if the answers are to questions asked quite a while ago or last year, I tend to write again because a lot of the laws, etc have changed and I want to make sure the latest answers are good. Also, I find that if I continue the old thread to ask an additional question I don't get any or just one response.

[JohnH]

It also helps to search on several different terms related to the same subject. People don't always use the exact terminology you have in mInd. I've often located what I need on a second or third search inspired by a word or phrase used in a thread that touches on what I'm looking for but fails to address my specific question.

[Burke]

I had a poster tell me he couldn't find a thread the first time, but found it later using Advanced Search. Does that help?

[JohnH]

I find that I usually use advanced search when I'm looking for a particular conversation and I remember something about it, such as roughly when it took place, etc. It's also useful when you get 20 pages of results and you want to do a little sifting.

[taxea]

If you are an old timer I can relate to what you are saying. I am fairly new to this discussion forum and I am finding it very informative. I do look back for subjects that I have quesitons on. Most of the time the answers don't fully answer what I am looking for. Also, if the answers are to questions asked quite a while ago or last year, I tend to write again because a lot of the laws, etc have changed and I want to make sure the latest answers are good. Also, I find that if I continue the old thread to ask an additional question I don't get any or just one response.

Although I get irritated at some of the same questions being asked over and over I have to agree with the changes in tax law issue and that frequently the titles on the posts don't reflect what the issue is. Third, when an old post is reposted with an update...it is very true that most don't read it because of the date and I see questions like "why was this bumped up?"

All I would like to see is some research done before posting, and I don't mean the search box. If you have checked Pub 17, The Tax Book, and the Pub or instructions for the item and are still confused or don't understand it, that's the time to come here for an answer...just my opinion.

[dtlee]

I agree with most of the above.

When a post duplicates a relatively recent post with a similar subject, it raises questions in my mind of the amount of effort that was given. However, sometimes even in these situations there are nuances in the situation that make it subtlely different which do not come out until the dialogue begins.

It is also difficult to find things using forum tools. I know I have searched these threads for something I know was discussed only to come up empty handed or with too many hits to be able to find what I wanted. Then, after giving up, I try the same search of the entire internet with Google and the specific thread I was looking for in this forum comes up on the first page.

Searching is not an exact science. Is it EIC or EITC or Earned Income Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit? Similar question with AOC and AOTC. Do I put it in quotes or leave them off? Do I use the word "and" to connect the words? Is it dependents or dependent? There are a lot of ways to shoot yourself in the foot when trying to find a post about a topic. We are tax professionals (I hope) not search professionals.

[Jiggers]

Searching is not an exact science. Is it EIC or EITC or Earned Income Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit? Similar question with AOC and AOTC. Do I put it in quotes or leave them off? Do I use the word "and" to connect the words? Is it dependents or dependent? There are a lot of ways to shoot yourself in the foot when trying to find a post about a topic. We are tax professionals (I hope) not search professionals.

I agree. My tax software, Drake, has something called "Knowledge Base" in which you can search for assistance.

I have yet been able to search and find something on that. Totally useless and Drake is no help in learning how to search.

I think you have to have the answer to what you are searching for to properly search.

[Jesse]

So, is the problem not even trying or giving up being overwhelmed or something else?

I mean, sometimes a question is thrown my way I don't even know where to start or what to look for, or even how to ask a question. Then I feel it is really great to have all you to steer me in the right direction, even if I still have to figure everything out myself.

Sometimes I think it's just time of the year and my brain is tuckered out. Sometimes I'm not sure where to start and I just need a push in the right direction. Sometimes I'm looking for the answer in haste so I'll ask a question and research at the same time hoping that if I can't find the answer maybe someone will be able to help.

When I first found this board there were many fantastic posters to teach me how to gain perspective and find that direction because the real world is just sooooo different from what you learn from a text book or in a class that is only black and white.

Everyone is different, that's for sure and that's what makes the world go 'round. I still don't know why it such a big deal to bypass a post that doesn't seem worth the time.

[BP.]

I still don't know why it such a big deal to bypass a post that doesn't seem worth the time.

Totally agree . . . throw it all out here. . . skip what you want.

[JohnH]

I'm in the "throw it out here" camp as well. I have no problem skipping over something that doesn't interest me. And I've seen more than a few questions that I first thought were basic, but the conversation taught me something I didn't know. Hubris is a dangerous thing - in this business it can be expensive.

[Jesse]

In my opinion

I'm in the "throw it out here" camp as well. I have no problem skipping over something that doesn't interest me. And I've seen more than a few questions that I first thought were youbasic, but the conversation taught me something I didn't know. Hubris is a dangerous thing - in this business it can be expensive.

Excellent point John!

[oceanlovin'ea]

I agree. Ask questions. If I think I might learn something or that I might be able to contribute something, I read the post. I actually read a lot of them but only post when I can add something I think might be considered intelligent.

I too learn a lot from the posts I read. Sometimes I am tempted to just post to say "Wow! that was a great thread. I learned a lot"

So I say "Post away". If you don't want to look at it, don't. But someone else might really learn from it.

Linda, EA