I sometimes post questions or suggestions not knowing they already exist elswhere in TB..Other than just clicking say, HO or HOW TO , is there a way of going directly to the topic, old or new, by entering topic name somewhere ? Like : ' Weathering steam engines ' which would take me right there ...
You can always ask this type of question and perhaps someone will know. You can use the site Search engine. Create a "TrainBoard Topics" folder in your Favorites and book mark topics for future reference.
I wish the search mode worked that way but it doesn't. Well, sort of but you have to sort through post after post until you find what you are looking for. We don't do well titaling our threads and they don't always stay on track. Leaving the search mechanisim at a lose as to how to help you. For example if we titled our threads with the topic IE. N Scale, Peco Switches #4 Problems With. You'd be able to find it in a heart beat. Instead we title them "What should I do?" or "Help Me with Turnout Question". Nothing that specific and or helpful when it comes to a search. I'ma just as guilty as anyone else when it comes to such things...so...we all have something to work on. Grin!
This is also where spelling and grammar are vital. This search engine may not be the best, but it is incapable of deciphering typos and other shortcomings. And yes, titling topics would be helpful. Very helpful. And if the site ever hiccups again, as it did in 2011, would greatly speed up our ability to sort things back out. There are still thousands of topics which we are slowly going through, one at a time, trying to figure out where they should be placed. Some modeling subjects we might never know, as they mention no scale. Looking at profiles, which many people neglect to fill in, for a preferred scale as an aid to sorting, just ends up in hundreds and more hours of additional frustrations for us.
There are those in our ranks who are articulated when it comes to the english linguistics, grammar, spelling and verbalization they are the authors who submit articles to Railroad and Model Railroad Wig Wags. A shout out to those fine folks. Most of us that participate here, as are many in the world of business and administration, are very poor writers. That's why many administrative types have a secretary. I've never been one who is concerned about your writing, english usage and grammar... let alone mine. It's all about expressing ourselves, sharing ideas and having fun. Ken has pointed out time and again that I'ma poor riter and pellar. Thaks Ken. I preciate the kind marks. Kep thm comin'g. COL So, we kind of have to take things as they come and do the best we can, with the tools we've been given. What does that solve......not much! SOL (Snickering Out Loud) at my own inefficiencies and sense of humor. I do agree it's always better if we put our best foot forward. Enjoy.
Actually I made no reference to anything Rick has written, past or present. That was merely a general shout out for all concerned. Make certain titles and message bodies are as best as possible. That way our search engine has some chance of hooking it for you.
OK, I suppose then that I was correct in assuming there never was a way to directly go into archives due to most post titles being composed of wording which disables an otherwise easy catagorizing of them..Like " Here's the best way to weigh rolling stock ?" prevents slotting it in an alphabetized/dated catagory. Where as " Rolling stock weight calculation " could be found easily. But problem is most don't word their thread starters in this fashion..And so we still must surf member's posts in a random fashion until we spot a title that seems to cover our quest, go to it, if not, keep surfing...No ? Finally, if I now type in say, 'steam engines' in the 'Advanced Search' above I hopefully will then see many dicussions about this and hopfully one about 'weathering steam' while in this..I'll now test this broader catagory search and see what pops up and report back...I know some may be snickering having already been versed on this..I'm not very computer or website construct/user savvy as I should be.
What we need is a "How To" something or other. But a catagory where you could submit a tutorial and it would be easily found. Downside, it would be up to each participant here to submit their material. Heeheehal, Yep, old Ken and I have our shoot outs and have a good time here. Got's to have some fun!
Yep ! That works ! Advance Search " steam engines " brought me, after entering a tad more search info on next page, right to a myriad of steam related posts. In here I quickly came across weathering pics and techniques by various members..Cool ! I never actually knew that. Next time I'm going to go here before I post a question, as answer may likely exist already...Don't get me wrong..I always felt many of my/our questions HAVE been delt with prior to posting mine..It's that I never knew how to confirm it and so just go/gone ahead and posted it..
Mark- If you post a question which has previously been answered, it is nothing to worry about. Many times when asked anew someone will add information which was not brought forth previously. We had a "How To" for searching in our Support Forum. But it was outdated and seems to have been lost, when the site hiccup occurred back in mid-2011.
This info won't help trying to find a topic. And I don't know if you are aware of it, but if you come across a thread that intrests you; under thread tools subscribe to that thread. Then in furture go to your profile you can access that thread or any post withing the thread. Hope this is of some help. See ya Ron
