Search takes some getting used to. Start with "Google Search" - it's a bit more intuitive - Try more than one word too. "Amana Stovetop" as opposed to "stovetop" It gets crazy when you want a gizmo or thingamajig and don't know the technical name for it.
Advanced Search is a great feature in that it lets you limit the age of the thread you search. Tire threads that are 8 years out of date? Not useful. Within the past year or even last 3 months might help a lot.
If you find a poster who is really helpful and want to find out more that he/she has posted, just click on that person's avatar. One of the choices is "see more posts by...." It will bring up that person's posts in order starting with the most recent and working back.
TAB search - look for key words... well just mess around here until you figure it out.
OH, and most importantly try to title your threads informatively (A rule I violate all too often) "need some help with this" is virtually useless "water heater electric problem" is much easier to find six months later. Hang around long enough and sooner or later you'll become a rivet master that means you're an expert (aka a former drip now under pressure), so post like someone might find it two years from now and wow will you be embarrassed (who moi?)
Lastly, play nice. Pay it forward. You're in the company of 10,000 happy Airstreamers - who only occasionally have a grumpy moment or two. About a year ago, I totaled my Airstream and my tow vehicle in a wreck I was very lucky to walk away from. The outpouring of support from "friends I hadn't actually met" just stunned - and sustained me. More than one offered me the use of a "spare-stream" because they knew I was a full timer and didn't have brick & mortar to retreat to. Come on in, you are most welcome here! So, disagree without fear, believe that there are no dumb questions, but don't ever make a personal attack, and if you're on the receiving end of one, regard it as a spat not a war.
Everyone has moments when their fingers type things that are insensitive or even offensive usually by accident or in the mistaken belief that they are being humorous. Take a moment to re-read before you hit "post"... and then if a moderator ever deletes your post for being inappropriate accept it with grace (or even gratitude if you really stepped in it
). You can guess I've been "moderated" a time or two myself.
Paula