How can i be a better forum poster?

[bluntmasterflash]

I'm not a guru, but I like to learn things, which usually leads me to a forum such as this dandy one here.  Sometimes i find myself asking questions that have already been answered or responding to old posts.  I always try a search for a topic before I post, but sometimes I can't find it, then I post a question, only to be ridiculed in the reply for asking, and trust me, that doesn't really help me much. 

Also, what is wrong with replying to an old topic, If I have something useful to add?

In general, i just want any good tips outside of the basics to be a better more helpful person.  I use forums a lot, and I'm getting to the point where I feel I might actually be able to help in some areas, Especially with this whole arcade madness, it's an obsession.  I don't like to play the games as much as I like to tinker with the ones that have issues, and when it all works, it's time to add something new.... - peace -

[RayB]

Maybe the blunts are interfering with your comprehension abilities. 

[HaRuMaN]

Maybe the blunts are interfering with your comprehension abilities. 

Zing!

[bluntmasterflash]

Nice!  looks like my type of crowd.

[VanillaGorilla]

youre amongst friends blunt. Nothing wrong with lighting one up if thats how you roll. To thine own self be true. that was just a cheap shot, anyway.... Add your voice when you feel you can genuinely help. Thoroughly search for answers to questions before potentially re-posting. Im sure that if you continued to post in a thoughtful and contributory fashion all will be well. And don't let your feelings get hurt, its just a forum!

[BadMouth]

One thing I didn't realize right away was that if you do a search while in a forum, it only searches that forum.

So, say you have a software or emulator issue and do a search while in the Main forum and get no results.
You may find what you are looking for by searching the Software forum, but you have to be in that forum when you do the search.

Now I'm off to look at your recent posts to see what you got flamed for. 

[Hoopz]

One thing I didn't realize right away was that if you do a search while in a forum, it only searches that forum.

So, say you have a software or emulator issue and do a search while in the Main forum and get no results.
You may find what you are looking for by searching the Software forum, but you have to be in that forum when you do the search.

Now I'm off to look at your recent posts to see what you got flamed for. 

That's not how it works for me.  I can be in any board, hit the search button, enter my search terms, and get results from all the boards as long as I have not changed the default search options of searching all boards.

I  just tried it in the Software board and my search term was power button.  I received results from Project Announcements, Main, Audio/Jukebox, etc.

[BadMouth]

I can be in any board, hit the search button

There is probably the difference.  I always use the search in the upper right corner of the page instead of clicking search on the left.

[Hoopz]

I can be in any board, hit the search button

There is probably the difference.  I always use the search in the upper right corner of the page instead of clicking search on the left.

  I'm not seeing a search link/button in the upper right.  I must be missing something.

[BadMouth]

 I'm not seeing a search link/button in the upper right.  I must be missing something.

Not that it matters, but here's the one I'm talking about (it does exist):

I'll probably just do it the way you do from now on.

[Hoopz]

 I'm not seeing a search link/button in the upper right.  I must be missing something.

Not that it matters, but here's the one I'm talking about (it does exist):

I'll probably just do it the way you do from now on.

I didn't think about different themes.  I don't use the default theme.