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What to Ask and How to Answer Questions



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 2nd, 2006, 03:46 AM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Default 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  
Old January 2nd, 2006, 04:40 AM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Default 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  
Old January 2nd, 2006, 03:26 PM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Default 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  
Old January 2nd, 2006, 04:38 PM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Default 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



  #5  
Old January 2nd, 2006, 04:45 PM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Default 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  
Old January 2nd, 2006, 04:52 PM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Posts: n/a
Default 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



  #7  
Old January 2nd, 2006, 06:31 PM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Default 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


  #8  
Old January 2nd, 2006, 07:25 PM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Default 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  
Old January 3rd, 2006, 02:03 AM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Default 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?



  #10  
Old January 3rd, 2006, 02:06 AM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Default What to Ask and How to Answer Questions

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


 




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