Before you write up a new thread .............

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by CULater

it would be nice if the search function lets you type in 3 letter words...many orgs are 3 letters, and it's not like everyone on GC types in Alpha Beta Gamma Sorority, Incorporated every time they mention ABC org....so to get around this.... (I learned this from another GC, i'll give credit when I can find the person who suggested this again)

go to google

go to advance search

type in whatever you are interested in (including the 3 letter word of the greek org)

in site (or domain): type in greekchat.com

and voila!

Another thing you can do is use an asterisk whenever you're typing a three letter word/phrase.

For example, if you want to look up "NPC," the search function will allow you to search "NPC*"

[curiousSasha]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Well, the thing is, unless you are interested in an NPHC group, that info really doesn't apply. A 60 year old alum of an NPC group registering and getting a message like that will probablly just get confused and not participate.

The best rule for GC or ANY message board is: LURK FOR A WHILE BEFORE YOU REGISTER/POST. Unless you're stupid, you can figure out how things are done just by shutting up and reading.

Thank you for the advice. GC is the first forum I've used, and I actually stumbled upon it by accident. The only reason I knew about the "environment" was because the first post I read was addressing the stupidity of a newbie that did not search before posting. I was just thinking that many of the posts I read (in connection with MIP and the NPHC which are the topics I am researching) that are began by newbies usually begin with a harsh statement about searching before posting. Afterwhich, many of the newbies take a defensive stance because many have figured that joining a forum means that they can post questions and will be greated with quality answers, but do not consider the stance of veteran users. Many either use the search function INCORRECTLY, which I can say was one of my problems until I started using the Google advanced search function (thank you to the person that posted this resource. It helps GREATLY!), or they just didn't consider using the search function after reading through the first few recent posts.

Maybe a simple "SEARCH is your friend" would be appreciated because search is EVERYONE's friend no matter who you are (i.e. NPC, NPHC, interest, SF, sister, brother, etc.)

[AlphaFrog]

There is so much irony in this thread, I can hardly stand it.

[AlexMack]

I have a forums account at somethingawful.com. They have a set of forum rules which wouldn't all be applicable here, but in a general sense could really help both n00bs and mods here.

http://www.somethingawful.com/d/foru...les.php?page=1

Basically, LURK BEFORE POSTING. If we could get a better probation/ban system in place, it might keep the idiot posters at bay a little more.

No Mod sass if they make a fair ruling. Gripe about in a PM to a friend or something.

Does your post contribute to the discussion in anyway? If not, don't bother posting.

If your spelling sucks, you will be mocked, the mods won't save you. None of us are perfect but there are standards.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

There is so much irony in this thread, I can hardly stand it.

LOL. I know, it's almost painful.

ktbug, this thread (which MC also already pointed out) http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=70883 is already "stickied" at the top of the Greek Life forum. Did you even read through those threads yourself before you decided to start another "advice" thread? Do we really need to have another 20-ish page thread on this exact same topic?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

There is so much irony in this thread, I can hardly stand it.

Seriously.

[Fawn Liebowitz]

The Google advanced search works great, but I have problems every time I try to use the GC search function.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by 33girl

The best rule for GC or ANY message board is: LURK FOR A WHILE BEFORE YOU REGISTER/POST. Unless you're stupid, you can figure out how things are done just by shutting up and reading.

Originally Posted by AlexMack

Basically, LURK BEFORE POSTING. If we could get a better probation/ban system in place, it might keep the idiot posters at bay a little more.

there should be a Lurker's Lounge! ehh, never mind, that's lame, it just sounds cool. i think shutting up and reading before you post should - SHOULD - be more effective.

maybe something like, new posters can only post a certain # of posts during a probationary period? or they can post replies but not start threads?

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by tld221

there should be a Lurker's Lounge! ehh, never mind, that's lame, it just sounds cool.

LOL.

I'm cybermad that this thread is actually getting replies like the OP introduced a new concept.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

LOL.

I'm cybermad that this thread is actually getting replies like the OP introduced a new concept.

Hence, the irony.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

LOL.

I'm cybermad that this thread is actually getting replies like the OP introduced a new concept.

Co-sgn. Even though I just made a serious reply. When I saw the thread there wasn't a big enough rolleyes smiley for me. Like jesus, I think I even wrote one of these at one point. OLD NEWS.

John does whatever he feels like, the end. And he never explains himself either.

[tld221]

ok, im really aggravated.

the collective we of GC gripe about the influx of repetitive first-posts. i know some of us can really deliver the snark, but whats the point of having stickied threads if the posters who ask the same stuff over and over get pointed in the right direction because theyre "being nice."

its like, naughty naughty no cheating on the test! but by the way, the answer key is in my desk drawer. WTF? stop being nice. the answers are here and if we're going to keep giving them away, we dont give the new posters much of a reason to come back and be active participants. especially when they say "wow, that thread was exactly what i was looking for - thanks!"

(all of this, BTW, comes out of the "omg i heard rush at LSU is supercompetitive, i'm not going to actually, like, get cut am i?" thread.)

[SoCalGirl]

Can we lock this thread and merge it with the one that already exists?

[AKA_Monet]

This or the other thread needs a sticky.

The other issue is Wannabe Greeks: for my Sorority, we cannot discuss anything related to Membership Intake Process other than that on our website. Also, we have a protocol toward interacting with anyone who states membership issues and my Sorority in the same sentence.

I am sorry that folks just cannot google and cannot work on their own volition to search for information. When I became a member there was NO internet or easy access to information. So, I really am not understanding why some folks enjoy being lazy and not gain access to information for their own use.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

Can we lock this thread and merge it with the one that already exists?

CO-SIGN!!

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

This or the other thread needs a sticky.

The other thread already is a sticky! That's why this thread has gotten the "oh, such irony" comments...