Titles of threads,

[Pukka Bundook]

Gents,
Been thinking of titles of threads we get in this section.
For future reference, it may be good if a title relating as far as possible to the arm in question may help when we are doing a search here at a later date.

Yes, we sometimes do see such a title but sometimes not.  :-)

All the best,
Rich.

[smylee grouch]

That sounds like a good idea. The search function might not pic up on a clever word selection and omit some replies on certain  topics.

[Tim Crosby]

Gents,
Been thinking of titles of threads we get in this section.
For future reference, it may be good if a title relating as far as possible to the arm in question may help when we are doing a search here at a later date.

Yes, we sometimes do see such a title but sometimes not.  :-)

All the best,
Rich.

  How about an example or two.

    Tim

[rich pierce]

Gents,
Been thinking of titles of threads we get in this section.
For future reference, it may be good if a title relating as far as possible to the arm in question may help when we are doing a search here at a later date.

Yes, we sometimes do see such a title but sometimes not.  :-)

All the best,
Rich.

  How about an example or two.

    Tim

A “What do I have here?” title is less informative than, “Can you help identify this late fullstock flintlock rifle?”

[Robin Henderson]

Fixed mine.

[tooguns]

It seems people that list have no idea of what they have. They are looking for information on what have. Some don't know a flintlock from percussion, rifle from smoothbore, the just want information about an old gun.

[Pukka Bundook]

Gents,
Yes at times we din't know what we have, but can usually figure if we have a long gun or a pistol. Even that would help with a future search.

Example but not in this section and am not about to give examples from this section, but I once started a thread titled 'A but different".

It was about a snapping matchlock I made.

If someone wanted info on a snapping matchlock, that in the title would be more helpful than "A bit different!"

[J.M.Browning]

I would suggest qualifying new members before they join the ALR , much easier to stop the unknowledgeable at the gate . If your hackles raise how some title , you could also have Mod's & Administrators make sure no improper thread titles post .

[Karl Kunkel]

I respectfully disagree with vetting new members before they are allowed to join this forum.  Many come to this site looking for knowledge, learning and guidance, as I did years ago.  This forum and its free sharing of knowledge is second only to the Gunmakers Fair for learning and sharing information, and many can't make the trip to Kempton.

[rich pierce]

I’m thinking the suggestion was made in jest.

[J.M.Browning]

I’m thinking the suggestion was made in jest.

It certainly was - this Forum is not very welcoming - I truly can't believe someone actually complained about thread titles most forums want membership growth - just a observation by a fly on the wall .

[smart dog]

Hi Richard,
I believe the search function looks both at the title of a post and the text within the post by default.  Consequently, the title does not really have to be specific in order to be picked up during a search as long as something in the text is pertinent to the search.

dave

[Pukka Bundook]

Thank you Dave.

It appears some here are a bit prickly feeling.

To imagine that I am "Complaining" about thread titles, when in fact all I was suggesting is that a title bearing some indication of the arm in question, would  Help others with searches in the future, would be a constructive thing.

I will keep my mouth shut in future .

[smylee grouch]

I agree with your idea Pukka. 👍

[bob in the woods]

I’m thinking the suggestion was made in jest.

It certainly was - this Forum is not very welcoming - I truly can't believe someone actually complained about thread titles most forums want membership growth - just a observation by a fly on the wall .

IMO this forum is fantastic.  If your nose gets bent over someone making a suggestion concerning improving the search of information, I think you are barking up the wrong tree. What makes this forum so great , again in my opinion, is the general lack of sugar coated, less than honest responses.   

[Elnathan]

It certainly was - this Forum is not very welcoming - I truly can't believe someone actually complained about thread titles most forums want membership growth - just a observation by a fly on the wall .

I've been a member of numerous forums relating to various historical and arms-related subjects for over twenty years now, and this forum has been and remains one of the best - a minimum of interpersonal feuding, a reasonable and informed population that can write intelligibly and disagree on the merits of a question without ad hominum attacks or otherwise becoming personal, and consistent moderation policies. There are some things that could be improved - I think that people take copyright concerns far beyond what the laws require to the point that it becomes detrimental to communication (newbies need pictures, not curt remarks to look at originals) - but overall you would be hard pressed find a better forum for serious discussion of anything, not just old guns.

My experience with some other forums, which I suspect might better fit your definition of "welcoming," is that the prevailing attitude doesn't encourage discussion beyond a superficial level, or serious critique of workmanship, with the result that they eventually end up running off the majority of people who are knowledgeable or want to interact with other knowledgeable people, for whatever reason. If politely suggesting that folks title their threads more like monographs instead of paperback thrillers is enough to discourage some people, I have to wonder if a research-oriented forum is really the place for them, or if ALR's mission would benefit from their participation.

[Dennis Glazener]

Hi Richard,
I believe the search function looks both at the title of a post and the text within the post by default.  Consequently, the title does not really have to be specific in order to be picked up during a search as long as something in the text is pertinent to the search.

dave

Dave is correct but there are many ways to use the search engine to keep it from returning so many different posts to have to go through. One is to place quotes around what you are looking for i.e. "I am looking for this" which makes the search engine look for the literal statement made between the quotes. unless you check the box marked Search in topic subjects only the engine will search both the subject line and the body of the message. I the box is unchecked it will search both the subject field and the body text looking for the exact text between the quotes. I got to thinking about the tutorial I mentioned and I suspect if you use what I suggested above it will probably take care of most of your needs. If there is more information on searching that you need just PM me and I will try to help you.

Oh one more thing, to cut out the long search time just uncheck the
Choose a board to search in, or search all
Check all
and check the boards you expect to find your information. This cuts out all the search time needed to look through i.e. Gunbuilding for building info, Black Powder shooting for info on loads, accuracy, etc. Doing this only makes the server search one or two boards rather than the 50+ boards and sub-boards the forum has.

Dennis

[Karl Kunkel]

JMB,

My apologies, your jest went right over my head.