Can we have "sticky" for common/repeat questions

[yimster]

On the San Francisco board we have a lot of repeat questions (sometime within two weeks) which takes up a lot of space. If possible we could a sticky so that new readers can check before asking again.

An example is "what is the best dim sum in San Francisco" we get that a lot.

I going to stopped replying.

Would like to see more new traffic on new eating spots.

[ccbweb]

I think the problems there are you'd end up with either a lot of stickies taking up a lot of space or one omnibus sticky which would get ignored by those new readers who currently ignore the existing stickies (in part because they don't know what the stickies are, I'd think).

Not to mention, the information will change all the time and how does one decide what answers go in the sticky?

The best way to see more traffic on new spots is to post about new spots and to respond to post about new spots. Don't feel like you have to reply to everything if you're replying to anything. It's ok to skip the repetitive questions and focus on things new to you.

[yimster]

I have stopped replying, but the down side is I have been reading chowhound less.

[Jacquilynne]

We've tried to encourage people to search more, and listed some of the most common questions in the sticky at the top of the SF Bay Area board, asking people to look before they ask. If there are particular questions that you think are getting heavily overplayed recently, please mention them in this thread: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/458603 and I'll try to give them more prominence in that sticky note.

Still, though, some people just won't read and search, and that's okay. Repeating the topics periodically brings up new information and updates old information.

[Bill Hunt]

I have found that refering the OP to the "Search This Board," often works miracles. They return with specific questions regarding the efforts of their search. Then, board subscribers can address the specific loactions, or questions.

Most of these suggestions have been prefaced with "several recent threads... " etc. In only a few cases, has the OP come back with, "you expect ME to search this board?" These are usually followed by a request for people to just furnish their full reviews of, say "all dim-sum restaurants in SF," even if there are still 2-3 active threads on the same subject.

If I have useful threads bookmarked, I'll include those too, just to be helpful. Unfortunately, most of my bookmarks are to articles that I have started, as reviews, but it they help answer a question, they should be helpful.

The aversion that many seem to have on doing a "search," is not relegated to CH. I see the same exact thing on the Adobe forums. The feeling *seems* to be, "why should I waste MY time with a search, when you can do one for me, and just post the links in reply."

When heading to a city, that is new to me, I usually DO search that particular CH board, as well as several other travel/dine boards. It is only after these, that I'll post my request, and usually mention any restaurant that had previously turned up. This helps the board subscribers know what I am looking for, restaurants tha have appealed to me, based on previolus reviews, and shows a certian respect for their time. They don't have to do a search for me, as I've already done that.

Back to other forums and stickies for a moment. Using Adobe forums again, each product fourm page has stickies ranging from "How to properly ask a question," to FAQ's for each Adobe program. No one EVER reads these. Most helpful users and the MOD's will at least furnish the link to that/those sticky. Still, no one EVER reads them. I like 'em, but others seem to pass right over them.

Just some thoughts,

Hunt

[rworange]

This is a good use of Chowhound lists. I've been contemplating putting together a dim sum list ... maybe you could take that on yimster.

Other than not allowing private lists, Lists seems to have stabilized.

Having worked on a sf cheat sheat on the old site to direct questions, this information is always changing. So a static post at the top of a page would need to be added to or refreshed. I started this a while back on this site with a Fisherman's Wharf post

Fisherman's Wharf survival guide
http://www.chow.com/san_francisco_bay_area_digest/577

But if you follow that, so many restaurants have come and gone even in a relatively unchanging area like the Wharf.

Lists works out great. You can easily update it by taking off businesses that are no more and adding new ones. Statuses can be updated. Also, they link to the Place record so it is an easy way to find previous reports ... if people would only stop using Places as a gps.

As Jaqueline mentioned, they have one at the top of the page. While no one ever reads it at first, it is great to refer visitors back to ... such as 'read this link first and get back to us" It has all the details.

Anyway, here are a few lists I've put together for frequently asked questions. I'm contemplating Napa and Sonoma lists next.

Union Square Breakfast and Brunch
http://www.chow.com/lists/edit/108

SF Mission burritos and tacos
http://www.chow.com/lists/edit/151

The best of SF fine dining
http://www.chow.com/lists/edit/161

Best Bets - SF Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurants
http://www.chow.com/lists/edit/419

Best Bets - SF Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurants
http://www.chow.com/lists/edit/359

Tourist Traps - SF Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurants
http://www.chow.com/lists/edit/359

First time in SF - Here's where to eat ... or not
http://www.chow.com/lists/790

What is nice is that most posters won't follow the link ... though at times even the OP doesn't either ... but most do. So it doesn't discourage discussion in that thread. Occasionally new tips show up in these repeated questions

[yimster]

rwo, I only wish I could do a list. But I no longer have dim sum as much as I used to. I have to reduce a few pounds and dim sum is something I try not to have all the time.

I have a set list of a few place where I can get what I want.

So I am not a good source on dim sum at this time.

[Bill Hunt]

Good list.

One "hound" did similar for the SW board, and PHX-Metro in particular, last year, prior to the Superbowl. He/she listed good restaurants by geographic area, with approximate drive-times to/from the stadium. It was very well done and included most restaurant genres. I linked back to that list for almost a year, because of how useful it was for general restaurant questions for the whole metro-area, all 500+ square miles of it.

Thanks for taking the time,

Hunt

[rworange]

The beauty of lists is they can be changed and don't have to go stale.

For example, in my 'first time in sf' list, originally I told people to avoid the Cliff House. However, this month they hired a top chef and I was easily able to revise the recoomendation.

Actually taking the time to do the list once, saves a lot of time in the long run of repeating the same stuff over and over.

Your other post in this thread about people not reading stickies made me laugh. Some people do read that great sticky for SF Jacqueline wrote and when they do, they get better info as promised.

However, there was a recent inquiry where I provided the 'first time in SF' list where the OP posted three more times asking questions that would have been answered had the list been read.

[Bill Hunt]

I agree with you on the evergreen nature of a list. Had to change my mind on a restaurant in NOLA recently. It let us down 100% on first visit. Ten - twelve years later, with many changes, it wow'ed us. I had to do a review that was extremely positive, after having blasted them on every count, and for some years.

Did similar in Honolulu. Horrible experience. Years pass. Many changes, and then they became a favorite of ours.

Though the initial reports from me were 100% accurate, for those experiences, I almost felt that I was having "crow" for my entrée later. What wine do you serve with crow?

Again, good list.

On the NOLA board, there have been some "best of," and also "worst of." Only problem has been that after a month, with replies, the lists are 100% interchangeable - no difference between the two... Oh well, that is the way it goes.

Now, next time I'm in SF, I know where to look for my new recs. There are a few that we try to hit on most trips, but I love to add new ones to the mix. With travel budgets down, it might be longer than normal, but with my wife's corporate office there, we *should* be back soon.

Thanks for your work,

Hunt