Matte vs. Glossy: OFFICIAL GUIDE

[Adokimus]

Ok, this post isn't an official guide, but I'm just hoping to illustrate how often this comes up and NO ONE (I'm looking at you n00bies) uses the search function. This is simply a pet pieve of mine, and I should be able to just ignore the constant threads containing the eternal question "matte vs. glossy?", but I think anyone who's been on macrumors for a length of time knows that this.. just.. keeps.. being.. asked. So, here is but a sample of the search results. And keep in mind that this question is also asked in other threads of different topics. Please set up a guide or a link for these people.

Here we go with the smallest of samples (seriously):

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/351168/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/201487/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/342491/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/328075/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/311994/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/245435/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/311462/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/311013/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/310774/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/310576/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/305955/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/305955/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/296310/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/296946/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/283946/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/292354/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/280773/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/280158/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/276129/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/270477/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/269885/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/264542/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/260616/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/258259/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/243600/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/250743/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/247360/


...and they all conclude that you have to decide what is best for you.

-Ado

 

[Eidorian]

There needs to be a tagging function for posts as well.

This is one of the best complains about redundant questions though.

 

[edesignuk]

You will never stop the laziness and idiocy of the general internet public.

Irritating, I know.

 

[wordmunger]

... and I bet there are *still* more "how do i hack/unlock my iPhone/iPod Touch" threads....

 

[FoxyKaye]

But here's the thing, I'm thinking about getting a MBP and can't decide whether or not to get matte or glossy. All of those threads don't discuss my very specific needs, and I can't make a general impression from what other people are discussing enough to make the decision for myself. So, I'll need to re-post the question with an in-depth analysis of my computing use and needs and ask the assembled MR what type of screen I should get on my upcoming MBP at the time of purchase.

*ducks and runs*

But seriously, the forum search isn't too hot - maybe MR should just switch entirely over to the Google search?

And, yes, tagging threads without necessarily having to create new posts would be cool - I could have sworn I saw some of this a while back, but a "tagsearch" feature that maybe lists the popular tags and just digs for threads assigned to them would be kinda neat.

Yet despite the best efforts of mice and MR, folks are still going to start these threads for the reasons above. Would it make any sense to have a section on the site just for "X or Y" decision-making? That way, instead of having these kinds of posts pop up in all the forums, they can be under one header, e.g. "X or Y" and folks can post and repost to their hearts' content questions like: "Matte or Glossy," "This DSLR or that DSLR," "Site5 or ASO," "iMac or Mac Pro," etc... Maybe even, just like in the political forum, posts in this section wouldn't count towards folks' overall tally as well.

 

[9Charms]

But seriously, the forum search isn't too hot - maybe MR should just switch entirely over to the Google search?

I have to agree... the Mac Rumors Forum search function is next to useless. I get better results from using Google, which then searches MR, and then I get the thread that I'm looking for...

 

[Doctor Q]

The next time you see a new matte vs. glossy thread, you might post a link to this thread in it. Then report the thread to the moderators so they can decide whether to close it. The might decide it's worth keeping open because it covers some new aspect of the discussion ("I'm going to be using it from the International Space Station") but if it's the same question that's already been answered we don't have to keep the new thread open.