Question

Is there a way to let all new users know that they can search for previously answered questions and tutorials using Google (i.e., by searching site:openstudy.com)? There have been quite a few well-written and informative replies to questions that, unfortunately, get buried. Notifying new users of this little trick may let them stumble upon these discussions (and tutorials). I suggest this as a temporary measure until OS's own search feature is implemented.

Answer 1

As for how this could be done...maybe a little pop-up message when they first sign-up, or in an email?

Answer 2

I don't really see why this would be information that's important for a user to know. Many of our users come to this site because they want direct tutoring, not more solutions that don't necessarily address their specific misunderstanding.

This is the reason we've neglected to implement such a search feature - because the focus is on the asker and meeting their immediate need for a real person to help them, not returning a list of results that may or may not be helpful to them.

Answer 3

I agree with farm dawg. There are plenty of sites offering example problems and explanations. What is cool and unique about OS is the interactive explanation that is available. The ability to ask questions and seek clarification is more worth showcasing than searchable solutions to problems.

Answer 4

Right - this was meant more so as a preliminary way for the asker to see if their question has already been answered so they could get a fast response to their query. I mainly help out in biology, and I see a lot of questions posted that are exactly (word for word) the same which have been answered and explained very well in the past. However, since we are a smaller group than Math for example, the asker may have to wait several hours before getting a reply - and it seems unfortunate that the asker was not able to get the help they needed, though the info is there.

If the search turns up no significant results then of course, they could still post up a question and have an interactive learning session, as that's what OS is all about! My suggestion was simply geared towards offering an asker the opportunity to access the wealth of knowledge already stored in OS's archives :P

Answer 5

So, to me at least, this seems outside the scope of what we want to do. There are *plenty* of search engine services like that out there, and we don't quite want to compete with them.

That said, we're not unaware of that particular issue, and we've got some ideas tossing around that we think are pretty clever. It's going to be at least a few months out before we start working on them if we decide to roll them out. But... ah... I'm not going to spoil the fun of surprising everyone. :)

Answer 6

Thanks for the reply! :)

Answer 7

Happy to! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! :)

Answer 8

seems that in a few months openstudy will be a lot more awesomesauce :DDD i remember when i took a break from openstudy for a month or two when i came back it was very new =_= the only features that didnt change were the notifications and the questions haha