reading posts from the search feature is chock-full of the very answers to alot of questions, yes! But there are more posts agreeing with, disagreeing with ect then that which actually contain the information you want/need.
I know alot of my own questions have been asked before, but you know what - i prefer to post in a thread and actually chat with those who respond. I get to learn a wee-bit, and i also get to know the folks here on the forum. If i didnt ask half the question i have in the past because they were answered in the search, i wouldnt have learned who knows ancients like no other, who knows asian coins like no other, who knows lincolns, nickles and most anything silver like no other, I wouldnt know which members either already no so much and have so much to offer, or always know who to point me to. The search tool is a great feature - but as a posting community, how do we help the next generation grow without that face-to face chatting as they ask there turn of 'basic' questions.
Imagine if a dealer sent you to a table with a book of FAQ every time you wanted to ask him a question. Sure its a great feature .. but without 'knowing' the dealer through the face to face interaction, how often and how much would you spend?? If he turned a cold shoulder to you and pointed to his FAQ book, would you stick around? Would you return and try to ask him another question? would you go to another dealer and get the same treatment? Would you leave the hobby for stamp collecting, NASCAR racing or toothpick bridge building (yes, i heard it was quite relaxing)
For me this hobby was built on answering the very simple questiosn WE ALL asked when we first joined the collecting community. I for one can do my part and retaliate on these up and coming YN's the very same patience i was afforded when i asked the same silly question - even if it was just yesterday or this morning.
the search function is a great tool, but NOT the answer! IMHO
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