Erika

I wish you well with this - but let's be realistic - there is only one
person who regularly and consistently responds 'sarcastically and cruelly'.
The last straw for me was when she attacked Mary a few weeks ago.

Your FAQ idea is a good one but only if people see it before submitting a
question. Many of these people seem to enter via the MS Support site
(appearing as ) - perhaps the MVP's could
prevail on MS to include a 'good post' section in that form. The problem is
not exclusively a 'publisher' one.

Some FAQ's I have seen include a preamble on how to ask questions and are
posted to the ng on a weekly basis.

It really is a shame to see people who purchase MS products and ask
questions (albeit badly in some cases) being abused. I'm surprised that MS
has not intervened as it is its corporate image that is suffering as well.
There was a chap called Mike Brannigan from MS who commented in these groups
from time to time - perhaps he would care to contribute now.

Good luck (and Happy New Year)

Bill






"Erika" wrote in message
...
: First, Happy New Year to everyone here!!!!
:
: This isn't my business and I'm not naming names but sometimes people
: offer very snippy, sarcastic or nasty responses when answering sincere
: questions from clueless people. Yes, I know they're clueless, but
: they're here for help in what looks like a Microsoft sanctioned
: newsgroup, and they should be treated with respect. They are here
: because they don't know the answers. One suggestion is to finally write
: that FAQ we've discussed that has the answers to the 10 top questions
: and simply refer the questioner to the answer: "Please read the FAQ at
: www.faq.domain.com and come back if you have additional questions after
: that."
:
: Now, what follows is taken from another newgroup I visit and I thought
: it would be useful to sha
:
: What to Ask and How to Answer
:
: If you're answering a practical question, *first* make the answer
: practical and *directly address the question*. Tell the inquirer how to
: do what they ask. Do not berate or belittle them for asking it. Follow
: up your answer with "...but here's something else to consider" if you
: feel it important to do so, *but only after you've answered their
: question*.
:
: Above all, if you can't answer with a modicum of respect, or without
: feeling somehow annoyed by the question, then DO NOT ANSWER AT ALL. I'm
: dead serious about this. You may have seen and responded to a question
: six thousand times, but the person asking has only heard it once: when
: they asked it. They're asking it in order to fill a gap in their own
: knowledge. Make your answer an encouragement for more questions, not an
: incentive to go away.
:
: Food for thought!!!
: --
:
: Hugs, Erika