If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
What to Ask and How to Answer Questions
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 |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
What to Ask and How to Answer Questions
If everyone was like you we wouldn't need your suggestions. Maybe you're
either too kind or naive to realize that a few bloody-minded people come here only to insult. Fecesia, or Margolotta as she calls herself today, is one. No amount of good will will change that. However, keep a good thought. Hugaboo! "Erika" wrote in message ... First, Happy New Year to everyone here!!!! 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 |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
What to Ask and How to Answer Questions
Box134 wrote:
If everyone was like you we wouldn't need your suggestions. Maybe you're either too kind or naive to realize that a few bloody-minded people come here only to insult. Fecesia, or Margolotta as she calls herself today, is one. No amount of good will will change that. It's not naive to expect common courtesy in a group like this. The problem here is not just the trolls - it's the fact that a whole group has started to jump on the troll bandwagon and offer snippy answers to people who land here looking for help. -- Hugs, Erika |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
What to Ask and How to Answer Questions
"Erika" wrote in message ... Box134 wrote: If everyone was like you we wouldn't need your suggestions. Maybe you're either too kind or naive to realize that a few bloody-minded people come here only to insult. Fecesia, or Margolotta as she calls herself today, is one. No amount of good will will change that. It's not naive to expect common courtesy in a group like this. I've been on a lot of boards and groups and I totally agree with you about this. But, it then comes to "what can you DO about it?" Getting into it and trying to force people to change and be different, and taking sides with the good guys fighting to change or get rid of the trolls, just compounds it. I'm not saying you are doing this. Just that after anyone agrees it should be a certain way, there's... what can be done about it? Unless there's a moderator that can warn, delete, and finally ban (and the person than rejoins using another name). Just sticking to - focusing on the purpose of the board/group and not getting sidetriacked by "how" anyone is. But again, THIS now gets into how do we get everyone to do it (ignore the trolls, or as they say "don't feel the trolls:") Groups can turn into warzones, just because of sides, those who feel it should be a certain way, trying to force others to be that way. Which, I realize I just did by getting into it in this thread (LOL) My take on it is, ignore the meanies (who are looking for attention, otherwise why do it?) and support the newbies, and their questions, and who cares if they spell something wrong or leave out a comma, etc. Everyone's doing the best they can and not everyone knows how to type (Thank You Miss Umbriss - from 1957 typing class in high school, ASDF (space) ;LKJ (space) on old manual Underwoods, with our hands covered with a black cloth so we couldn't see the keys! Miss Umbriss (who looked like her name sounds) would have never believed what I'm now using my typing class training for!) I keep waiting for someone to jump on me and tell me I talk too much and I go off topic here (LOL) Something I'm aware of. I get caught up in communication and ramble. But, life isn't all MS Publisher, there's a lot more that can tie in with it. ~ Carrie The problem here is not just the trolls - it's the fact that a whole group has started to jump on the troll bandwagon and offer snippy answers to people who land here looking for help. -- Hugs, Erika |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
What to Ask and How to Answer Questions
"Box134" wrote in message ... If everyone was like you we wouldn't need your suggestions. Maybe you're either too kind or naive to realize that a few bloody-minded people come here only to insult. Fecesia, or Margolotta as she calls herself today, is one. No amount of good will will change that. How about skipping her or putting her name on a blocked list? I can only get the microsoft groups in Outlook Express, and other newsgroups I have to go through google, and you can't block people. Also, if you block people too much, it leaves holes in threads and can be confusing to read. But here, this is clearly not something worth giving attention to (though I have responded, being new and not realizeing the overall situation). Just skipping the posts and not responding would work, but.... people who come here new and get told off by her need to realize this, too. That this isn't the overall attitude of the group. Just because someone doesn't ask a question in the proper way, or spells something wrong, or leaves out a comma, etc doesn't mean they aren't here to learn and share. Those who know, and answer the questions here realize this, and I admire their patience and all the time they take. Something that seems so simple to do now, can be so confusing when just starting out. With Publisher, there's a built in tutorial (at least in mine, 2000) that's really good. I've gone over it twice now. I also have several books and tutorials for it. Nothing beats asking a question and having someone give clear, step by step instructions to walk you through it. Thanks to all the people who help. And to all those who don't help- well, thanks for giving me the chance to learn to not tie in with what I don't want and isn't helpful. Hope you find your answers, whatever they may be. We're all here to learn. ~ Carrie However, keep a good thought. Hugaboo! "Erika" wrote in message ... First, Happy New Year to everyone here!!!! 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 |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
What to Ask and How to Answer Questions
She's not worth the effort. Just a mere zit on the ass of humanity.
"Carrie" wrote in message ... How about skipping her or putting her name on a blocked list? |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
What to Ask and How to Answer Questions
I know what you mean, when I first got a computer I think I asked
questions I couldn't even explain right, or they were so simple people who knew couldn't understand what the problem was (LOL) I remember when I was learning to make websites wanting to know "where is page 2?" ( Or course I had to MAKE a page 2 and upload and link it) I was told once "there's no such thing as a dumb question" (at least with computers, etc) I've seen this on a computer tech board "There's no such thing as a dumb question. Those are the easiest to answer". Anyway, overall, from being on boards and groups, it seems the answer is just to ignore those who are rude, critical and seem to be looking for attention (in a negative way). The regulars here who answer are always so patient and polite with people. Of course, ignoring those who find fault and are snappy, doesn't help a NEWCOMER (who might be seriously trying to ask a question in the only way they can explain it) feel better about it. So, along with ignoring the rude, critical posts, maybe being patient and polite and and trying to help, to offset it. I know I still feel like a newbie to a lot of this, but sometimes I try and answer if I've had any experience with it. Just to make a connection and not have the question float down the board, ignored. I've also jumped into other's threads with questions if I've had the same questions and experiences. I know on some boards, I'd get told off for doing this- they call it hijacking someone else's thread. Overall, this is a really great group and seems to stay peaceful and helpful, which can't be said for a lot of boards, and especially newsgroups. Especially the so-called "spiritual" themed ones. Happy 2006 to all ! (I still have Office 2000 and at this point I'm happy with it, but then I still have Windows 98 SE and if and when I get a new PC it will have XP on it and at some point I'll probably be moving on) ~ Carrie "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 |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
What to Ask and How to Answer Questions
Carrie was very recently heard to utter:
I was told once "there's no such thing as a dumb question" That is true, but there is such a thing as a nonsensical question. :-) -- Ed Bennett - MVP Microsoft Publisher |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
What to Ask and How to Answer Questions
Erika wrote:
snipped I have begged for this for years....and no luck. I agree with you 100%. FWIW, we have an extensive FAQ at http://www.publishermvps.com -- Brian Kvalheim Microsoft Publisher MVP http://www.publishermvps.com |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
What to Ask and How to Answer Questions
Brian Kvalheim [MSFT MVP] wrote:
Erika wrote: snipped I have begged for this for years....and no luck. I agree with you 100%. FWIW, we have an extensive FAQ at http://www.publishermvps.com See, that's good! and useful! Every MVP should include that (or similar) in their sig so the information is accessible. -- Hugs, Erika |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|