Why Moderators ask you to read the FAQ and Learn to "Search"

Nearly everyday as I read through the forum, I come across at least one post where a member of the staff is asking a member to read the FAQ (and Tutorials) and learn how to properly use the search routine.

The forum is set up with topical categories and within them various sub forums and threads. As of the time I am making this post we have: Forum Stats 66609 Posts in 7211 Topics by 35173 Members.

We cannot simply ignore what has gone on before and allow indiscriminate posting. The vast majority of questions can be answered by a member researching before posting. There is a request that members search before posting.

There is a an FAQ which covers the vast majority of areas in which members can discover what can and cannot be done with the Dare.

For those items that require steps to be followed there are a number of outstanding tutorials. If they are followed members can maximize their usage of the Dare.

Despite the request to search, despite having the FAQ, despite having Tutorials, members (usually new members) will still post with a day one, step one question.

If left unchecked the number of posts covering the same item over and over again would end up with having a forum clogged under the sheer weight of having too many posts. That would make finding relevant and correct information all the more difficult.

To prevent this, the moderating staff will ask that members at least attempt to help themselves by reading the FAQ, studying the Tutorials and using the search routine.

At times, a moderator is forced to take action upon a member who steadfastly refuses to avail themselves of the resources of the forum. We have had members pointedly remark in a post that "they don't have time" to do their own research and study. That is the penultimate expression of sheer laziness and poor forum etiquette. In those cases it is indeed appropriate to put the member in a moderated status. In extreme cases members have been banned.

The forum exists so that members can help members. It helps us all though if a member has done what they can to help themselves first before posting.

Moderators who take steps to correct a wayward poster will have the full support of the Global Moderators and the Administrators.

There is an old biker phrase which applies which unfortunately is not appropriate in its original form. Suffice it to say it deals with a body part, fuel and an herbal product and the fact that no one rides for free.