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What to Ask and How to Answer Questions



 
 
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  #11  
Old January 3rd, 2006, 05:56 AM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Default 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
  #13  
Old January 3rd, 2006, 02:19 PM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Default What to Ask and How to Answer Questions

..

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


Good idea, I didn't know about it.

Even now I do, I might still forget (LOL)

~ Carrie


  #14  
Old January 3rd, 2006, 11:30 PM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Default What to Ask and How to Answer Questions

I can handle bad grammar, misspelled words, and broken English. What drives
me up a wall are "non-questions". Subject lines like "I want to make a
newsletter" - and nothing in the large white space. I have no idea where
they need their help. Do they not know to use a template? Are they trying to
use a tabloid layout with a printer that can't print tabloid? Are they
trying to send it to someone else for whatever reason and that person
doesn't have Publisher?

These are the things that make me respond "Okay. And your question is...?" I
prefer not to read minds and I didn't get the official crystal ball that
others seem to have. I'm just trying to help others and really appreciate it
when they supply me with enough information to do so.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"Erika" wrote in message
...
Oziebill wrote:
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.


Thanks for your support on this issue. I think this discussion will cause
people to think and reflect on their answers in the future.

For a while anyway ;-)


--

Hugs, Erika



  #15  
Old January 4th, 2006, 06:00 AM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
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Posts: n/a
Default What to Ask and How to Answer Questions

JoAnn Paules [MVP] wrote:
I can handle bad grammar, misspelled words, and broken English. What drives
me up a wall are "non-questions". Subject lines like "I want to make a
newsletter" - and nothing in the large white space. I have no idea where
they need their help. Do they not know to use a template? Are they trying to
use a tabloid layout with a printer that can't print tabloid? Are they
trying to send it to someone else for whatever reason and that person
doesn't have Publisher?

These are the things that make me respond "Okay. And your question is...?" I
prefer not to read minds and I didn't get the official crystal ball that
others seem to have. I'm just trying to help others and really appreciate it
when they supply me with enough information to do so.


I understand what you're saying, JoAnn. I worked on a help desk in the
past and all the jokes are based on true tales. (Oh, the whole building
has a power failure and all the lights are out, Mrs. Smith? No, your
computer won't work right now.) But these people who somehow found there
way here are clueless about Publisher, probably clueless about
newsgroups in general, and they've probably just forked out a
substantial amount of money for a program that's frustrating them. They
don't come in as trolls.

You could type an answer like this, once, and save it on your desktop or
whatever and copy it over and over in about 6 seconds: "Please state
your question clearly. And, here's the FAQ for the top 10 questions we
get in the newsgroup: http://www.faq.domain.com. The answers you need
might be listed there."

It would be more welcoming, encouraging and respectful to the paying
customer.

I do admit that this works better in a moderated group, but I think it's
worth trying. :-)

--

Hugs, Erika
  #16  
Old January 4th, 2006, 04:32 PM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What to Ask and How to Answer Questions

Erika

There are already websites covering some of the most frequently asked
questions.. it is as easy for an OP to type their questions into a Google or
MSN search to find them, but some have already done this.. what they want
when they come here is a simple explanation in laymen terms, something like
a two line answer that covers all exits.. that is not going to happen in
many cases..

People expect, unreasonably so, to be able to buy Publisher and find a
certificate template like 'Dad washing his first dish', and do not like the
idea of having to learn how to customise an existing template.. anything
more than a 5 minute tutorial is often more than they have time to do..

There has been criticism by some at the amount of websites one is directed
to by MVPs.. accusations of us not knowing are stuff are not uncommon.. so
what are we expected to do?.. type out long personalised answers addressing
each OP's specific need, no answer ever requiring any ability on the OP's
part?.. we are volunteers here, and have a life outside of offering to do
their child's school project for them.. sometimes, we just can't win..

JoAnn might remember the guy who had bought Publisher such that his son
could do something towards a school project... he was horrified to find out
that his son would not just be able to click the 'Finish the school project'
button.. when one or two of us suggested that he sit with his son and
experiment a little, we were told in no uncertain terms that he did not have
time for that, and that Microsoft should make it clear on the packaging that
MS Publisher is not easy to use..

Overall, I think that this is one of the better newsgroups, one of my
reasons for coming here at all.. the 'Publisher crew', Ed, Mary, Brian,
JoAnn (apologies to anybody missed) are a good bunch.. they mix expertise
with humour, which is a good thing.. unfortunately, humour to one person is
offence to another..

So answer me this.. why isn't there a template for a gay Jewish wedding
planner in Chinese characters cos they look pretty and the 'bride' is into
Fung Shui where the location for the ceremony and reception is on Nasa's 747
used for 'weightless' training.. and why isn't there a template for a fund
raising event that includes all of the people on my local Church social
group?.. I am a very busy person and do not have the time to learn how to
use Publisher, by the way..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User


"Erika" wrote in message
...
JoAnn Paules [MVP] wrote:
I can handle bad grammar, misspelled words, and broken English. What
drives me up a wall are "non-questions". Subject lines like "I want to
make a newsletter" - and nothing in the large white space. I have no idea
where they need their help. Do they not know to use a template? Are they
trying to use a tabloid layout with a printer that can't print tabloid?
Are they trying to send it to someone else for whatever reason and that
person doesn't have Publisher?

These are the things that make me respond "Okay. And your question
is...?" I prefer not to read minds and I didn't get the official crystal
ball that others seem to have. I'm just trying to help others and really
appreciate it when they supply me with enough information to do so.


I understand what you're saying, JoAnn. I worked on a help desk in the
past and all the jokes are based on true tales. (Oh, the whole building
has a power failure and all the lights are out, Mrs. Smith? No, your
computer won't work right now.) But these people who somehow found there
way here are clueless about Publisher, probably clueless about newsgroups
in general, and they've probably just forked out a substantial amount of
money for a program that's frustrating them. They don't come in as trolls.

You could type an answer like this, once, and save it on your desktop or
whatever and copy it over and over in about 6 seconds: "Please state your
question clearly. And, here's the FAQ for the top 10 questions we get in
the newsgroup: http://www.faq.domain.com. The answers you need might be
listed there."

It would be more welcoming, encouraging and respectful to the paying
customer.

I do admit that this works better in a moderated group, but I think it's
worth trying. :-)

--

Hugs, Erika



  #17  
Old January 4th, 2006, 11:08 PM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What to Ask and How to Answer Questions

I love your ideas for templates!!! Especially the Dad one. With my dad it
would be "Dad figured out which end of screwdriver to use all by himself!".

I think humor is getting to be a lost art. And laughing at oneself is so
much fun - I do it a lot!

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"Mike Hall (MS-MVP)" wrote in message
...
Erika

There are already websites covering some of the most frequently asked
questions.. it is as easy for an OP to type their questions into a Google
or MSN search to find them, but some have already done this.. what they
want when they come here is a simple explanation in laymen terms,
something like a two line answer that covers all exits.. that is not going
to happen in many cases..

People expect, unreasonably so, to be able to buy Publisher and find a
certificate template like 'Dad washing his first dish', and do not like
the idea of having to learn how to customise an existing template..
anything more than a 5 minute tutorial is often more than they have time
to do..

There has been criticism by some at the amount of websites one is directed
to by MVPs.. accusations of us not knowing are stuff are not uncommon.. so
what are we expected to do?.. type out long personalised answers
addressing each OP's specific need, no answer ever requiring any ability
on the OP's part?.. we are volunteers here, and have a life outside of
offering to do their child's school project for them.. sometimes, we just
can't win..

JoAnn might remember the guy who had bought Publisher such that his son
could do something towards a school project... he was horrified to find
out that his son would not just be able to click the 'Finish the school
project' button.. when one or two of us suggested that he sit with his son
and experiment a little, we were told in no uncertain terms that he did
not have time for that, and that Microsoft should make it clear on the
packaging that MS Publisher is not easy to use..

Overall, I think that this is one of the better newsgroups, one of my
reasons for coming here at all.. the 'Publisher crew', Ed, Mary, Brian,
JoAnn (apologies to anybody missed) are a good bunch.. they mix expertise
with humour, which is a good thing.. unfortunately, humour to one person
is offence to another..

So answer me this.. why isn't there a template for a gay Jewish wedding
planner in Chinese characters cos they look pretty and the 'bride' is into
Fung Shui where the location for the ceremony and reception is on Nasa's
747 used for 'weightless' training.. and why isn't there a template for a
fund raising event that includes all of the people on my local Church
social group?.. I am a very busy person and do not have the time to learn
how to use Publisher, by the way..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User


"Erika" wrote in message
...
JoAnn Paules [MVP] wrote:
I can handle bad grammar, misspelled words, and broken English. What
drives me up a wall are "non-questions". Subject lines like "I want to
make a newsletter" - and nothing in the large white space. I have no
idea where they need their help. Do they not know to use a template? Are
they trying to use a tabloid layout with a printer that can't print
tabloid? Are they trying to send it to someone else for whatever reason
and that person doesn't have Publisher?

These are the things that make me respond "Okay. And your question
is...?" I prefer not to read minds and I didn't get the official crystal
ball that others seem to have. I'm just trying to help others and really
appreciate it when they supply me with enough information to do so.


I understand what you're saying, JoAnn. I worked on a help desk in the
past and all the jokes are based on true tales. (Oh, the whole building
has a power failure and all the lights are out, Mrs. Smith? No, your
computer won't work right now.) But these people who somehow found there
way here are clueless about Publisher, probably clueless about newsgroups
in general, and they've probably just forked out a substantial amount of
money for a program that's frustrating them. They don't come in as
trolls.

You could type an answer like this, once, and save it on your desktop or
whatever and copy it over and over in about 6 seconds: "Please state your
question clearly. And, here's the FAQ for the top 10 questions we get in
the newsgroup: http://www.faq.domain.com. The answers you need might be
listed there."

It would be more welcoming, encouraging and respectful to the paying
customer.

I do admit that this works better in a moderated group, but I think it's
worth trying. :-)

--

Hugs, Erika





  #18  
Old January 5th, 2006, 12:07 AM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What to Ask and How to Answer Questions

JoAnn

Humour is a lost art for sure, but I am attempting a revival, as are you and
the other PubVP's..

I accept Erika's statement to a point, but if people want nice, they should
be in a Religious bookstore.. here we give advice, and try to educate a
little.. there is nothing wrong with coercing computer users into trying the
Publisher 'Insert' function themselves, and oft times, it takes more than a
'pretty please'..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User


"JoAnn Paules [MVP]" wrote in message
.. .
I love your ideas for templates!!! Especially the Dad one. With my dad it
would be "Dad figured out which end of screwdriver to use all by himself!".

I think humor is getting to be a lost art. And laughing at oneself is so
much fun - I do it a lot!

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"Mike Hall (MS-MVP)" wrote in message
...
Erika

There are already websites covering some of the most frequently asked
questions.. it is as easy for an OP to type their questions into a Google
or MSN search to find them, but some have already done this.. what they
want when they come here is a simple explanation in laymen terms,
something like a two line answer that covers all exits.. that is not
going to happen in many cases..

People expect, unreasonably so, to be able to buy Publisher and find a
certificate template like 'Dad washing his first dish', and do not like
the idea of having to learn how to customise an existing template..
anything more than a 5 minute tutorial is often more than they have time
to do..

There has been criticism by some at the amount of websites one is
directed to by MVPs.. accusations of us not knowing are stuff are not
uncommon.. so what are we expected to do?.. type out long personalised
answers addressing each OP's specific need, no answer ever requiring any
ability on the OP's part?.. we are volunteers here, and have a life
outside of offering to do their child's school project for them..
sometimes, we just can't win..

JoAnn might remember the guy who had bought Publisher such that his son
could do something towards a school project... he was horrified to find
out that his son would not just be able to click the 'Finish the school
project' button.. when one or two of us suggested that he sit with his
son and experiment a little, we were told in no uncertain terms that he
did not have time for that, and that Microsoft should make it clear on
the packaging that MS Publisher is not easy to use..

Overall, I think that this is one of the better newsgroups, one of my
reasons for coming here at all.. the 'Publisher crew', Ed, Mary, Brian,
JoAnn (apologies to anybody missed) are a good bunch.. they mix expertise
with humour, which is a good thing.. unfortunately, humour to one person
is offence to another..

So answer me this.. why isn't there a template for a gay Jewish wedding
planner in Chinese characters cos they look pretty and the 'bride' is
into Fung Shui where the location for the ceremony and reception is on
Nasa's 747 used for 'weightless' training.. and why isn't there a
template for a fund raising event that includes all of the people on my
local Church social group?.. I am a very busy person and do not have the
time to learn how to use Publisher, by the way..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User


"Erika" wrote in message
...
JoAnn Paules [MVP] wrote:
I can handle bad grammar, misspelled words, and broken English. What
drives me up a wall are "non-questions". Subject lines like "I want to
make a newsletter" - and nothing in the large white space. I have no
idea where they need their help. Do they not know to use a template?
Are they trying to use a tabloid layout with a printer that can't print
tabloid? Are they trying to send it to someone else for whatever reason
and that person doesn't have Publisher?

These are the things that make me respond "Okay. And your question
is...?" I prefer not to read minds and I didn't get the official
crystal ball that others seem to have. I'm just trying to help others
and really appreciate it when they supply me with enough information to
do so.


I understand what you're saying, JoAnn. I worked on a help desk in the
past and all the jokes are based on true tales. (Oh, the whole building
has a power failure and all the lights are out, Mrs. Smith? No, your
computer won't work right now.) But these people who somehow found there
way here are clueless about Publisher, probably clueless about
newsgroups in general, and they've probably just forked out a
substantial amount of money for a program that's frustrating them. They
don't come in as trolls.

You could type an answer like this, once, and save it on your desktop or
whatever and copy it over and over in about 6 seconds: "Please state
your question clearly. And, here's the FAQ for the top 10 questions we
get in the newsgroup: http://www.faq.domain.com. The answers you need
might be listed there."

It would be more welcoming, encouraging and respectful to the paying
customer.

I do admit that this works better in a moderated group, but I think it's
worth trying. :-)

--

Hugs, Erika







  #19  
Old January 5th, 2006, 12:25 AM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What to Ask and How to Answer Questions

Mike Hall (MS-MVP) was very recently heard to
utter:
I accept Erika's statement to a point, but if people want nice, they
should be in a Religious bookstore..


....or paying a consultant.

--
Ed Bennett - MVP Microsoft Publisher


  #20  
Old January 5th, 2006, 01:49 AM posted to microsoft.public.publisher
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What to Ask and How to Answer Questions

I also believe that we need to convince people to learn something new
instead of having someone do it for them, actually *try* something instead
of saying "Can I ....?", to elevate themselves. Yes, computers have gotten
to be more user-friendly but instead of encouraging people to pick up new
skills, some people have grown lazy and expect others, who generally learned
things the old-fashion way (trial and error), to do it for them or tell them
how to do something step by step.

My personal policy is that I will teach someone how to do something. I'll
even show them two or three times but if I even get an inkling that they are
just letting me do their work, I stop. I have enough of my own work to do
without doing someone else's.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"Mike Hall (MS-MVP)" wrote in message
...
JoAnn

Humour is a lost art for sure, but I am attempting a revival, as are you
and the other PubVP's..

I accept Erika's statement to a point, but if people want nice, they
should be in a Religious bookstore.. here we give advice, and try to
educate a little.. there is nothing wrong with coercing computer users
into trying the Publisher 'Insert' function themselves, and oft times, it
takes more than a 'pretty please'..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User


"JoAnn Paules [MVP]" wrote in message
.. .
I love your ideas for templates!!! Especially the Dad one. With my dad it
would be "Dad figured out which end of screwdriver to use all by
himself!".

I think humor is getting to be a lost art. And laughing at oneself is so
much fun - I do it a lot!

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"Mike Hall (MS-MVP)" wrote in message
...
Erika

There are already websites covering some of the most frequently asked
questions.. it is as easy for an OP to type their questions into a
Google or MSN search to find them, but some have already done this..
what they want when they come here is a simple explanation in laymen
terms, something like a two line answer that covers all exits.. that is
not going to happen in many cases..

People expect, unreasonably so, to be able to buy Publisher and find a
certificate template like 'Dad washing his first dish', and do not like
the idea of having to learn how to customise an existing template..
anything more than a 5 minute tutorial is often more than they have time
to do..

There has been criticism by some at the amount of websites one is
directed to by MVPs.. accusations of us not knowing are stuff are not
uncommon.. so what are we expected to do?.. type out long personalised
answers addressing each OP's specific need, no answer ever requiring any
ability on the OP's part?.. we are volunteers here, and have a life
outside of offering to do their child's school project for them..
sometimes, we just can't win..

JoAnn might remember the guy who had bought Publisher such that his son
could do something towards a school project... he was horrified to find
out that his son would not just be able to click the 'Finish the school
project' button.. when one or two of us suggested that he sit with his
son and experiment a little, we were told in no uncertain terms that he
did not have time for that, and that Microsoft should make it clear on
the packaging that MS Publisher is not easy to use..

Overall, I think that this is one of the better newsgroups, one of my
reasons for coming here at all.. the 'Publisher crew', Ed, Mary, Brian,
JoAnn (apologies to anybody missed) are a good bunch.. they mix
expertise with humour, which is a good thing.. unfortunately, humour to
one person is offence to another..

So answer me this.. why isn't there a template for a gay Jewish wedding
planner in Chinese characters cos they look pretty and the 'bride' is
into Fung Shui where the location for the ceremony and reception is on
Nasa's 747 used for 'weightless' training.. and why isn't there a
template for a fund raising event that includes all of the people on my
local Church social group?.. I am a very busy person and do not have the
time to learn how to use Publisher, by the way..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User


"Erika" wrote in message
...
JoAnn Paules [MVP] wrote:
I can handle bad grammar, misspelled words, and broken English. What
drives me up a wall are "non-questions". Subject lines like "I want to
make a newsletter" - and nothing in the large white space. I have no
idea where they need their help. Do they not know to use a template?
Are they trying to use a tabloid layout with a printer that can't
print tabloid? Are they trying to send it to someone else for whatever
reason and that person doesn't have Publisher?

These are the things that make me respond "Okay. And your question
is...?" I prefer not to read minds and I didn't get the official
crystal ball that others seem to have. I'm just trying to help others
and really appreciate it when they supply me with enough information
to do so.


I understand what you're saying, JoAnn. I worked on a help desk in the
past and all the jokes are based on true tales. (Oh, the whole building
has a power failure and all the lights are out, Mrs. Smith? No, your
computer won't work right now.) But these people who somehow found
there way here are clueless about Publisher, probably clueless about
newsgroups in general, and they've probably just forked out a
substantial amount of money for a program that's frustrating them. They
don't come in as trolls.

You could type an answer like this, once, and save it on your desktop
or whatever and copy it over and over in about 6 seconds: "Please state
your question clearly. And, here's the FAQ for the top 10 questions we
get in the newsgroup: http://www.faq.domain.com. The answers you need
might be listed there."

It would be more welcoming, encouraging and respectful to the paying
customer.

I do admit that this works better in a moderated group, but I think
it's worth trying. :-)

--

Hugs, Erika








 




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