The number of duplicate queries (usually by well meaning newbies) has been discussed many times, and most newbies aren't aware of the forum search option since it is nice and unobtrusive (as it should be).

However, how about when we click "new" to create a new thread, at the top of that page there could be "Your query may already have been posted, please search before creating a new thread" and the search box.

Below this can be the "create new thread" page as it is now.

Experienced users would know to just scroll down and create thier thread, but it would help avoid duplication by making people think again before posting.

(Edit to correct spelling of "Dumplicate", which is a great new word!)

Edited at 08:24 Fri 27/10/06 (BST)

Who would you use to describe with the word dumplicate?? lol.

Yeh i think this is a good idea!

two identical dumplings

good idea spinner

good idea, real worry for me is the proportion of those threads which descend into arguements. In cases like that I´d rather see new ones created.
Also i think after about a month it would be nice to hear a new point of view unaffected by previous users.
Last thing is that if old threads are always re¬introduced Admin will not get as good a summary of peoples opinions.
I do think there´s a limit though and the search bar placed there would be good.

Its easy to put a filter on to exclude capped threads (arguments) and those over a few months old...

Another option (which we use on the development site at work) is an auto suggest. When before a new thread is posted, there is a forum search done using the thread title and possible similar threads are offered for the user to study before posting a new one.

However that would require quite a bit of extra coding, however a quick copy over of the forum search box would be a quick improvement.