This isn't Google...
I have been on a broad gamut of discussion forums for many years now. One thing that I see quite a bit, and is a pet peeve of mine, is when a question is asked and then a member "helpfully" directs the original poster to the search function or Google.
The search feature is a great tool... So long as you know what and how to ask the question in the correct format. Adding, removing or changing a single word can have a vast impact on the result. This gets even harder when you don't know what to ask.
This is a discussion forum. The point is to discuss. It is inevitable that there will be duplicate topics. It is guaranteed! But that is OK! Remember that there are many ways to do something and techniques can and will change. What results I find via the search tool may not be the results I need, and may be outdated or even completely wrong.
If you see a new topic pop up that has popped up dozens of times before and you don't want to repeat yourself, feel free to skip over the topic. I have been new to many hobbies, all with their own discussion forum, and I can tell you first hand that directing someone to the search feature does not come across as helpful, but dismissive and rude. It feels like you're saying that you do not have the time or desire to bother with my question, so I should find it myself. Regardless of the intent, that is how it feels to be on the receiving end of that.
JMO...