Mike Stoops <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>If it is a question previously addressed here, then we need to educate 
the questioner in the intricacies of how to query the archives for an 
answer before posting the question to the group.  

I agree, but I disagree with those that respond to a posted question by 
saying ‘refer to the archives’ or ‘google it’ .  IF they take the time to 
respond in the first place, IMO they should give a brief answer followed 
by a ‘refer to the archives’ for further info, or keep their nose out of 
it.

From my observation, I would say that over 90 percent of the topics 
discussed here have been discussed before in one form or another on bee-
L.  Now wouldn’t it be boring if all those questions were simply answered 
with ‘look in the archives’?  We would be reduced to posting abstracts if 
this were the strict rule.  And I will say, that I have been seeing ALLOT 
of REPEATS of abstracts posted on bee-L that are known to be already in 
the archives, -which, could this be assumed to be neglect of proper use of 
the archives, that they have posted repeat material?

>In fact, thinking about it, it might be a good idea to post a detailed 
directive on how to use the archives once a month for all the new 
membership that has come on-board since the last posting of the archive 
directive.

That is a great idea!
Also, it would be good for beekeepers to get together and set up 
beekeeping search engine that includes the ‘1000 best informative 
beekeeping sites‘, as selected by a panel of experienced queen breeders, 
commercial beekeepers,  bee scientists, organic beekeepers etc.  
There is a function in Google to permit this: 
http://www.google.com/coop/cse/
On a custom search engine such as this, you can be assured that the new 
bee will find answers from quality informative sites that are recommended 
by the best in the business.  To send a new bee out on their own into the 
wild internet for their information, is IMO, dooming them to a high 
instance of failure, due to the immense proportion of inferior information 
out there.  

Best Wishes,
Joe

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