New posters: Read this first

[JB]

Originally posted April, 2002, Condensed and updated Aug. 30, 2005.<br /><br />Howdy. To get the best and quickest help here, I have a few suggestions:<br /><br />BEFORE you start asking questions on these Forums by following the good advice listed below PLEASE read this FIRST. It can save you, and our Forum contributors a LOT of time.<br /><br />These Forums have a very good “Search” feature, just like search engines have, to find answers to many of your engine, fishing, boating and related questions. That means that you can do a single or multi-word search in these Forums and then read what others have already said on these Forums on that specific topic. Just click on the red printed word SEARCH at the top of this and every Forum page, then type in the search word(s) you want information on and then hit the “Search” button at the bottom of the page. Happy Searching!<br /><br />EDIT: 5-20-2003 In addition to the search function, there is now a site with thousands of pages of Q&A, catalogued. Go to www.outboardrepairs.com and look up your problem.<br /><br />Once you have tried to search and outboardrepairs.com but still need to post a topic, here are some tips to posting:<br /><br />1. Be sure you are in the correct forum for your topic. Review the menu of fora before you select one.<br /><br />2. State your problem in the name of the topic.<br /><br />3. Don't capitalize except where it is normal.<br /><br />4. Don't clutter up your request for help with HELP!!! or PLEASE!!!. We know you want help. Screaming at us will not increase the speed or quality of the help.<br /><br />5. All posts related to your request should be posted as replies to that topic, not on a new topic.<br /><br />6. Don't add a new question to someone elses topic. If you have a question, make a new topic.<br /><br />7. Be patient. If you haven't had a reply, it is because no one with a useful reply has come along.<br /><br />8. Please be concise. Long, rambling tales with important info buried in the narrative are very hard to read and understand. Some helpers will just ignore it.<br /><br />Welcome. There are a lot of experts here ready to help you solve your problem.