searching the cow…..small rant, then discussion suggested

[David Roth weiss]

[todd reid] “Just wanted a lively discussion that moves toward results, and it appears to be shaping up that way.”

Understood.

Its a tough one. I’ve seen times when someone will take a lot of time to write and article or build a tutorial that perfectly answers every conceivable question on a certain subject, it gets sticky-noted in bold right at the top of he forum, and yet it gets completely ignored.

The fact is there are more and more posts all the time, especially on the FCP Forum, and there are more and more posts that do begin with the disclaimer that people have tried to search for the answer. Taking the little bit of time to do that seems like a small price to pay.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums.

[David Roth weiss]

[Zane Barker] “Personally I wish that when someone when to post a question on the Cow that it would ask the question have you tried a search of the forums.”

Yes that is a good one… Goes with what I said directly above, but better.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums.

[Bob Flood]

todd et al

this may be a bit tangent-ile, but I have noticed that a good third to half the questions posted here have to do with mixing or converting formats, and not actaully about issues with FCP ie how do i get 23.97 footage into a 29.97 timeline? can i mix 1080i and 720P? and so on.

I would welcome and enjoy a forum JUST on formats, with contributors from the Avid, FCP, and Premeire forums, just for starters.
I think it would also make sense to list or post or FAQ known issues and “gotchas” that one necounters with FCP, such as the way it treats slo-mo (which may not be an issue with some, but could be with others.)

“I like video because its so fast!”

Bob Flood
Greer & Associates, Inc.

[Jeremy Garchow]

At least you can now copy and paste search results as you couldn’t before on the Cow.

A subtle (and leaderly) way of tell someone to search is to do the search for them and then copy and paste the results. They can then sort through the fodder.

If someone claims it’s an emergency, I usually answer anyway. Not everyone claims emergency though.

Here’s ‘deinterlace’ over the past month from the FCP forum:

https://forums.creativecow.net/forums_search.php?q=deinterlace&f=8&o=d&t=-1+month

By the way, Shane’s stock answers are kick ass as it saves us from typing the same stuff over and over. They are even complete with pictures. If I was someone that was new to the Cow and found that, I’d be happier than a pig in….dung.

[Bob Cole]

Two thoughts:

1. A lot of forums have “stickies,” a post which automatically always appears at the top, which contains links to FAQs.

2. Many times, a COW search gives either too few or too many results. I’ve found that it is sometimes more helpful to use Google to search the COW, than the COW itself. This is no slam on the COW’s programming team, which has created the most useful forum for video pro’s on the web. It’s just that Google has some proprietary tricks which are beyond the budget of anyone else on earth. Use them.

I always try to search for the answer, but I wind up posting my question anyway about half the time, simply because the search was not productive.

Thanks to all who share their expertise even though the answers are already here.

Bob C.

MacPro 2 x 3GHz dualcore; 10 GB 667MHz
Kona LHe
Sony HDV Z1
Sony HDV M25U
HD-Connect MI
Betacam UVW1800
DVCPro AJ-D650

[Shane Ross]

[Jeremy Garchow] “If I was someone that was new to the Cow and found that, I’d be happier than a pig in….dung.”

Mud…MUD!

Eeew.

Thanks. Now I just have to get those pics attached to the stock answers I cut and paste.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD now for sale!
http://www.LFHD.net
Read my blog!

[Todd Reid]

I like the “stickies” suggestion and have seen it on many other forums.
Most have a heading similar to “READ THIS FIRST”

I totally agree with the google response, I usually start any research with a google search, and many times it leads me to the cow, but not always.

On another note, Shane’s stock answers are the bomb! I did not intend to minimize their awesomeness!
Remember that they weren’t always available to “stumble across”, they came as copy/paste answers, which has been noted as potential to ruffle feathers, even though his intentions were VERY honorable.
Shane, you know I love you, heck, we are even linkedIn! (linkedIn.com)

Again, I thank the cow gods for posters like Shane (and MANY other…you know who you are) who take the time to help people out with problems that seem to encompass their whole world, but others regard as rookie, or newbie mistakes.

Thanks to all the cow members who have helped others!!!!!!!!

[Ed Dooley]

I agree wirh David about people saying that they tried a search, but didn’t find an answer. If someone says emergency, they seem to get their answer (but a search could have been quicker than waiting for someone to see their question). Here are some highlights of the “Do A Search” thing that I remember being a part of (they might even be entertaining):
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/8/975418#975521
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/8/947064#947130

It might be more helpful if the COW posted a header in every forum suggesting first steps such as SEARCH FIRST!

Ed

[Shane Ross]

I like ruffling feathers. Some people’s feathers need to be ruffled.

And if you get offended by my terminology in the Stock Answers, you aren’t cut out to work in Hollywood. Ooof.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD now for sale!
http://www.LFHD.net
Read my blog!

[David Roth weiss]

[Shane Ross] “And if you get offended by my terminology in the Stock Answers, you aren’t cut out to work in Hollywood.”

Since most who read them aren’t from Hollywood or even thinking making the move, is it okay for them to get to offended? Not that they should, I’m just trying to follow the logic…

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums.