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| Vitor |
 Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:21 am Post subject: What's the best way to phrase a question |
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Grand High Poobah
Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 26093
Location: Texas, USA
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We've all seen the post "How to ask questions the smart way" in the Read First section (and if we have not, why not?) but are there other guidelines, hints, tips or suggestions people have for the enterprising new poster?
What should be included? Excluded? Avoided?
Have a look at the wandering discussion here and see what you think. Good suggestions will be added to the Read First section.
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Honesty is the best policy.
Insanity is the best defence. |
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| gbaddeley |
| Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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Jedi Knight
Joined: 25 Mar 2003
Posts: 2538
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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New posters generally come here for good reasons and they expect intelligent dialogue. They have a problem, question or technical challenge at hand, and they need help because they don't have the knowledge or resources to provide the answer. It is quite possible they don't know how to effectively use the MQ Infocenters or search engines, or even know exactly what they are looking for. Imposing a wide range of guidelines for new posters may not be constructive.
Responders need to be respectful and mindful that some posters do not have English as their primary language and can have difficulty in expressing their needs in a first post. Responders may need to tease out more information to present authoritative answers, without going off on inappropriate tangents or being overly pedantic. Refer to "How To Answer Questions in a Helpful Way" at http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html#id479916
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Glenn |
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| SAFraser |
| Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 4:23 am Post subject: |
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Shaman
Joined: 22 Oct 2003
Posts: 742
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
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I agree so much with gbaddeley. Please take a moment and read the URL posted by gbaddeley. I don't think we need more rules for posters. I think we need better behavior from responders.
I think the first really "bad" question from a new poster should be answered with some gentle respect, typically a request for more specific information or a suggestion for more research from the OP. If our respectful response is ignored, then we have no obligation to continue a dialogue.
An OP who states (for example) "I have to find a way to set up load balancing so it acts like HA" is unlikely to be a MQ architect who is about to make a stupid recommendation to management. It is more likely another hapless admin to whom management has handed a foolish ultimatum. So while we can share best practice with the OP, I don't see any point in lecturing him.
I am also disappointed when I see responses that are largely guesswork. If you don't actually know how Veritas controls resources during a maintenance event or if you've never even heard of F5 products, back away from the keyboard.
We do a lot of good with this forum. But it is the roughest forum that I've ever encountered. And sometimes, honestly, I support the flaming of lazy posters who are not willing to help themselves.
Be thoughtful, that's all I'm saying.
I am very nervous about clicking 'Submit' but what the heck, the mug is already on its way. |
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| exerk |
| Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 4:29 am Post subject: |
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Jedi Council
Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Posts: 6339
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Shirley, as always, you are the voice of reason 
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It's puzzling, I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like this before...and it's hard to soar like an eagle when you're surrounded by turkeys. |
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| Vitor |
| Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 4:32 am Post subject: |
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Grand High Poobah
Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 26093
Location: Texas, USA
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| exerk wrote: |
| Shirley, as always, you are the voice of reason |
 
_________________
Honesty is the best policy.
Insanity is the best defence. |
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| Vitor |
| Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 4:33 am Post subject: |
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Grand High Poobah
Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 26093
Location: Texas, USA
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| gbaddeley wrote: |
| Responders need to be respectful and mindful that some posters do not have English as their primary language and can have difficulty in expressing their needs in a first post. Responders may need to tease out more information to present authoritative answers, without going off on inappropriate tangents or being overly pedantic. Refer to "How To Answer Questions in a Helpful Way" at http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html#id479916 |
I've included this link in the "Read First" section for reference.
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Honesty is the best policy.
Insanity is the best defence. |
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| Vitor |
| Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 4:37 am Post subject: |
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Grand High Poobah
Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 26093
Location: Texas, USA
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Just to clarify, it was certainly never my intention to impose rules, guidelines or any other structure on any posts. I see the output of this thread as a series of bullet points along the lines of hints, tips and good ideas.
I see "Be Thoughtful" as the first one, and am currently working on a large, brightly couloured, laminated board with that written on it. I plan to have it fixed at eye level when posting....
(...I plan to have "Hurt Them" on the reverse side...)
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Honesty is the best policy.
Insanity is the best defence. |
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| bruce2359 |
| Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 7:02 am Post subject: |
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Poobah
Joined: 05 Jan 2008
Posts: 9469
Location: US: west coast, almost. Otherwise, enroute.
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| SAFraser wrote: |
We do a lot of good with this forum. But it is the roughest forum that I've ever encountered. And sometimes, honestly, I support the flaming of lazy posters who are not willing to help themselves.
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We do mostly good with this forum. We serve both experienced and novices.
From time to time an openly angry and antagonistic person joins our ranks, and creates a hostile and chaotic environment for the rest of us. I reserve my flaming for these folks.
From time to time, a stern talking-to is appropriate to restore order out of the chaos.
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I like deadlines. I like to wave as they pass by.
ב''ה
Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi. As we Worship, So we Believe, So we Live. |
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| SAFraser |
| Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 7:15 am Post subject: |
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Shaman
Joined: 22 Oct 2003
Posts: 742
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
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Yes, indeed. And lest you all think I've gone either soft or daft, may I suggest:
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Be thoughtful, but carry a big fish.  |
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| Vitor |
| Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 7:26 am Post subject: |
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Grand High Poobah
Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 26093
Location: Texas, USA
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| SAFraser wrote: |
Yes, indeed. And lest you all think I've gone either soft or daft, may I suggest:
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| Be thoughtful, but carry a big fish. |
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Words to live by, from the poster who introduced "trouting" to our lexicon.
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Honesty is the best policy.
Insanity is the best defence. |
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| SAFraser |
| Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 5:18 am Post subject: |
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Shaman
Joined: 22 Oct 2003
Posts: 742
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
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