Search "suggestions" in replies to Newcomers
I would like to suggest a template for the famous/infamous "search first" replies.
First, let me say, we have gotten much, much better at this.
It is rare to see the harsh "search first" replies anymore.
But I do think they can be more gentle and "inviting"
May I suggest
Also many questions like this have been asked before and you might find your answer faster by using the Search Bar function in the upper right hand corner of your screen.
You can of course modify, but note that I avoided the use of terms like,
You could have,
You should have,
In the future use,
If you had,
Did you,
Why didn't you
I would think For future reference...
Might work but should be followed with could or can as opposed to Should.
Please note the the use of the word Please does not "AutoMagically" make something polite, and in fact can have the opposite effect
Also, as has been mentioned by some posters, sometimes searching is hard 
In some difficult cases it might be a good idea to give the search criteria you used to find the answer...
I found the/this/an answer using the Search Bar function in the upper right hand corner of your screen
Link to answer
but there were others,
try searching for keyword, keyword, keyword
Finally, if the only answer you can give to a New Comer is "SEARCH" [with or without a please], Please don't even bother to reply. It wastes their time, our time, your time, and bandwidth.
As far as the OLD TIMERS are concerned, have at 'em 
but always include a smiley 
Respectfully submitted,
Tim
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Also, as has been mentioned by some posters, sometimes searching is hard
Which is why it's always a good idea for the poster to let others know that he/she has searched in vain. People tend to be a lot more polite knowing that the poster at least gave it a shot instead of being lazy and disrespectful enough to ask a question that has been answered a thousand times already instead of doing a simple search.
I personally simply don't reply to such threads because I don't want to waste my time searching for an answer simply because that person is too lazy to search (and obviously aren't considerate enough to read the rules).
Vintage!
good idea for the poster to let others know that he/she has searched in vain
This is a good point but is really more in play for people who are not first timers, i.e., they probably haven't been around long enough to read your post above
But yes, people in the know can save themselves some "unfortunate grief" by mentioning that they have searched unsuccessfully.
Still, they should not have to suffer "unfortunate grief" in any case
...People tend to be a lot more polite knowing ...
...aren't considerate enough to read the rules...
Of course we could make being polite one of the rules
Given what you've said above,
lazy and disrespectful, too lazy, aren't considerate enough
I think it's good that you've chosen not to reply to such posts, it shows a lot of self insight, thanks
Tim
Things have got to get better, they can't get worse, or can they?
We could, uh.....
allow the most common 'helpers' get allowed iframes?
Nah, too strange.
Oh, I know. A classic idea would be to make an FAQ that mods and a few others can add to. Maybe a book, which would be neater and easier to organize.
Speaking of which, John, when are the polls coming out?
Insert original signature here with Greasemonkey Script.
A classic idea would be to make an FAQ that mods and a few others can add to.
That might be a good idea. I think something like that would best be set up in a wiki format.
'According to the Unnoficial PortableApps.com FAQ, section "Can you make [name] portable?"...'
'According to the Unnoficial PortableApps.com FAQ, section...'
'According to the Unnoficial PortableApps.com FAQ...'
This has always been an essential part of my answers, and if this FAQ was made official on this site (and with updates to go to the actual needs of the users), it could be used, together with a template for giving answers.
I like FAQs. I often go there first when I access a site, especially ones that provide software. Also, unless the most obvious search turns up the answer right away, we don't always KNOW that someone didn't search, so we should be gentle.
As an aside, people asking questions are more likely to search than those making suggestions. I mean, the former is looking for an answer, thus search. The latter, by definition almost, thinks that they have an idea no one else has had. Thus they (we) are excited to tell people about it, and don't usually think, "I wonder if someone else had this idea already, I'll check by searching first." Just my thoughts.
I am not my signature.
I love FAQ's. They're nice and easy to find your topic, and then the answer. It may be quite beneficial to have on here.