FAQ on FINDING INFORMATION:
How do I search here on the FAQ?
This new site is intended to collect and store permanently answers to questions that come up frequently. It is just getting started (August 2007) and may not yet have what you need. Try the search button feature on the right of the FAQ home page here.
How do I search the Forum itself?
Near the bottom of the Kitchen Forum home page is a search box (don’t use the one at the top of the home page). Type in some key words and hit ‘search’. If you get too many threads, try adding another word or two to narrow down the search. If you get too few, drop a word. Also search here on the FAQ. Some say the Forum search engine is marginal and recommend you do a generic Internet search using Garden web, Kitchen Forum and your key words. The latter may even pull up threads that were magically archived elsewhere.
Why isn’t my search working? I kow I just saw this info!
Threads are not immediately archived and indexed, so therefore may not show up on a search for 24-48 hours after posting. You can wait,or try going back in your own browser’s history folder to find the link. Also check if you have better luck with tweaking the search words, for example ‘knob’ threads may not come up if you enter ‘knobs’. One more reason to try a google or yahoo search with your words and Kitchen Forum. (thank you to Cloudswift for these points!)
How can I find a thread I started or answered?
Try searching on your own name. That will pull up all the currently active threads you have posted on.
What is the Finished Kitchens Blog and where is it?
Starpooh has heroically archived all the finished kitchens on a separate area of the Web. (Just as she set up this FAQ site. Thank you Starpooh!) All the kitchens are coded and you can search for pictures just of “Bluestar” ranges or “St. Cecilia” granite installations. This amazing resource is at http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com/. Enjoy!
Should I search or start a new thread?
It is good to search first and be sure your thread’s content or question isn’t already on another thread. You may find your answer already available on existing threads or here in the FAQ.
Why does it matter whether I search first?
Two reasons. First, the Kitchen Forum has a limited amount of storage space, about two months’ worth of activity. Each new thread sends the oldest thread into oblivion and with it all that thread’s information. Second, enthusiasm for answering the same questions over and over has been waning. The question for the asker is just as important, but the answer unfortunately can be less thorough or helpful after 50 times. Hopefully, thorough and helpful answers to common questions can reside here, making more space available on the Forum for other questions.