You just need to USE the search bar ONCE after installing this version in order to effectively shut off this hint. It doesn't take more time than navigating inside preferences and ticking off some checkbox. I naturally hate to annoy users, just felt that it's justified to "encourage" users to actually give the search box try, at least once.

I honestly value the search box as the most important feature we've added to jAlbum in years, especially for occasional users.

Even if you see them only once, then never again?

Not me. I don't work for jAlbum. Not my decision to provide some prompts for users.

But I don't think it's about cutting down on support. It's frustration that users don't seem to know about some of the most useful features of the app.

You have obviously not read this entire thread. The answer is above.

I have updated the wiki Welcome page to describe how to use and deactivate the search bubble hint.

Am probably a bit late with this but I must say, that ever since I knew about the
CTRL + Spacebar short cut to the search facility I have not opened any of my albums
in the "normal" way.

Its a fantastic and very useful search facility indeed, specially with a lot of albums.
Just a couple of key strokes and up pops a list box, then all you need to do is drill in with a bit more text to narrow it down.

I saw the bubbles initially but they seem to have disappeared now.

Peter

Sorry but these bubbles must be one of the most stupidest things the developers of JAlbum have done, A simple option in the preferences to turn them off is all that is needed.