Psychologist in the house?

Lazy!

I think that people process information differently. And people learn differently.

Not everyone can read a page full of information a extract the pieces that are pertinent to their issue and be able to apply the information to their particular situation.

Some people might read the faqs but still are having a hard time understanding exactly what it says. By asking a question in their own words and (hopefully) getting an answer that applies specifically to them, the light bulb goes off and their understanding of the process begins to develop.

Some people don't know what they don't know, so they don't even know where to start searching on the site. There's a ton of information and they might get bogged down or intimidated by all of it. You can almost "see" their eyes glazing over in the wording of their questions.

Sometimes things need to be phrased differently for different people in order for them to have comprehension. People might say, "Oh, I didn't know that that's what that meant."

Sometimes people have a hard time seeing the similarity between their situation and one that is either in an existing thread or in the faqs. Again because people process information differently.

People may have read something previously in the faqs or even in the manual, but by the time they go to apply it, they have forgotten either that they read it, what it means, or how to apply it.

To me, that's why we have forums and not just a listing of faqs.

Just my two cents (well, maybe three cents).

MM, your answer is very plausible but still doesn’t explain why users and "newbie" will rather get an answer to their question however wrong rather than finding the answer themselves in the FAQ.

As far as I know the FAQ have been time tested and found to be correct, in the other hand answers on the fly are not always correct, I’m guilty of sometimes in the rush to give an answer giving incorrect information and have seen others here do the same.

The same thing happens at a camera forum that I belong, same questions asked over and over and the people who really know the answer choosing to stay silent and newbies answering questions that they have no first hand knowledge of the subject.

I do not venture into giving answers on other GPSr that are not what I own or have worked with, but I have seen users giving advice on equipment that they have no clue but feel obligated to throw their two cents in.

Finally, you can get an answer to most questions in the FAQ right now; a question posted may not be answered with the correct information immediately.

I've often asked myself the same question you pose in this thread. A recent post by a new visitor started off saying, "I'm sure I could find this on the site by doing a search, but it's easier to just write the question . . ." I have to admit, he is honest.

It's usually perceived to be quicker to just ask. Not more efficient in the long run of course - just quicker.

We reinforce that perception by jumping in and answering those questions so quickly, over and over and over again.

does that make us all enablers lol

Perhaps it is precieved as being faster (less then a minute to type the question) to just ask again, then spend many hours searching the site. That being said, many of the questions asked can be found quickly in the FAQs and "Getting Started" sections of the site.

[.02 cents]
I think we live in a "I want it NOW" society.

To put it another way, most people fit the "I don't want to hear the labor pains, I just want to see the baby" syndrome.
[/.02 cents]

Great post, yes, people,esp. the younger set, want everything now, not the next day or week. My grandkids think everything comes to them today, can't wait. I tell them sometimes you have to wait for the good things in life, they just kind of look at me, LOL.

My experience with FAQs is that they tend not to be updated with current information. There is nothing more frustrating than spending time reading through a FAQ only to find that it applies to an old release or no longer describes the current condition.

Yes.

And enabling often meets the needs of the enablers. I think a lot of us enjoy helping. A newbie's questions are often easy to answer, so more enablers are available to jump in.

Regarding the "I want it now" syndrome, I think that applies to a lot of us, old or young, or maybe we wouldn't have GPS's. I notice a lot of us have multiple units and many can't wait even until May for the official release of new maps---looking for whoever has it in stock right now.

I have suggested before that we make the FAQ mandatory reading for new users joining these forums. I think that a lot of people find this site .. surf around and start posting questions - before every realizing there is an FAQ or learning how to use the search functions!

I think everyone's points about instant gratification and such are completely valid, but I really think that many people simply don't know all this site has to offer and how to use it.

Another reason to ask rather than look thru the FAQ is that this site rewards its members based on making postings. If you make a post 3 out the last 5 weeks you become an active member or retain that status if you already were. For many new people, they don't have anything to contribute yet, but they have lots of questions. They can become an active member and get answers at the same time.

That should be a requirement to joining the site, make a accept or decline button and that way they will HAVE to read them,

But if you did what you propose, think how it would affect all those the sit here all day waiting to be the first to answer a question and if they can't be first then to add caveats to the proceeding posts.

Some of us who are retarded WOOOPS I mean retired need this to help us feel needed.

PLEASE GIVE US SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR!!!

LOL

we are a want it now society, we are also a sosciety that if its broke throw it away get a new one forget trying to fix it!

just my view

I think our resident psychologist (MM) hit it on the head. I never looked at that way.

Remember, we are not required to answer every post, even though we have an answer. Just hit the skip/go-back button and look for something that is of interest.

Thank goodness we have patient people like MM on the forum.

hit on the head. Or maybe it's because they are new and do not realize that some one has all ready asked that