Why do you ANSWER questions in the programming forums?
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
1. Because I have had answers to my questions, and if I can help then it is my way of passing it on. 2. Pass. Better minds than mine should address this. 3. More knowledge and experience. 4. Maybe a "Helpy Bob" icon for those with X number of Good answer responses? 5. I think how it is works, but as you mentioned earlier, better or more succint questions would be easier to answer.
------------------------------------ "Possessions make you poor, wealth is measurable only in experience." Sun Tzu 621BC
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Answering forum questions is like press-ups for brain!
'--8<------------------------ Ex Datis: Duncan Jones Merrion Computing Ltd
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Chris Maunder wrote:
1. Why answer? What is the motivation?
If the question isn't something like "Can you please do my homework assignment?", and if I know the answer, and I have the time to provide an answer, then I don't see why I shouldn't answer.
Chris Maunder wrote:
2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer?
Tabs. Not much that you could do about it, I think. I hate having to tab using the space bar.
Chris Maunder wrote:
3. What would encourage you to answer more more?
If I had hamsters doing my (paid) work for me...
-- Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
1 - despite the fact that I often say 'try doing some research', I still do it b/c I'd like to find people who really want to learn, and to help them 2 - I'd love to be able to filter out threads based on how many posts the OP has ever made. 3 - Valuable prizes :P Seriously, I can't think of anything 4 - Dunno 5 - I would like it if people could mark their questions as beginner, intermediate, advanced. It's subjective, but it would help in, having answered a ton of trivial stuff, getting a list of the hard questions that still get asked, but are rarely answered b/c they get lost
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "I am new to programming world. I have been learning c# for about past four weeks. I am quite acquainted with the fundamentals of c#. Now I have to work on a project which converts given flat files to XML using the XML serialization method" - SK64 ( but the forums have stuff like this posted every day )
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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I answer because I can, and because I would want an answer if I asked a question. Also, answers are supposed to benefit everybody; if the question's badly phrased but common, I'll do my best
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The only problem I can think of at the moment is the phrasing of those asking questions. Loads of people just ask for the code. As for the answers, I'd like the ability to be able to tag a question. I like working with generics and reflection, so I'd like to be able to see questions about those topics
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It would be nice to find good-quality questions. Grammar, spelling and clarity of communication all make me want to answer more
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Those who dig really deep could have some kind of bonus. Questions positioned higher, or something like that
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I'm not bothered about a format. Questions should be polite, concise and clear. Answerers shouldn't have to decode text speak, nor should they have to use LMGTFY[^]
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
- I happen to know the answer, or the question is much more interesting then what I'm doing. 2) My mind is numb after a couple of 12hr days. I'll get back to you. 3) Per 1: Easier questions, or more me having reports to write. On a more serious note, better descriptions and readable grammer from many of the questioners would help. Often I have to guess what they're doing, but there's not much CP can do about that. 4) I second Dalek. Helpy Bob (tm) 5) For basic questions the current format is fine. Complex issues tend to have a more collaborative approach to answering, in which good posts can be lost amongst the not so good. It would be nice if useful posts were grouped together, and less usefull listed afterward, or some kind of hotlist of useful posts. Also I often notice questions on 3rd party libraries and application. Perhaps a better place / search / index for these question to be grouped, independent of language / platform?
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Chris Maunder wrote:
1. Why answer? What is the motivation?
I don't know: it's compulsive.
Chris Maunder wrote:
2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer?
Why? It's amazing trying to answer to :"Hi, I got errors in my application, how to solve in MFC?"
Chris Maunder wrote:
3. What would encourage you to answer more more?
See point 1.
Chris Maunder wrote:
4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep?
Deeper technical questions, I suppose (or MVP superpowers, like more voting weight?).
Chris Maunder wrote:
5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
Tabs would be really welcome. What about a subliminal background with your eleven commandments stamped? :-D
If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler. -- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.
This is going on my arrogant assumptions. You may have a superb reason why I'm completely wrong. -- Iain Clarke
[My articles] -
I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Chris Maunder wrote:
1. Why answer? What is the motivation?
1. There ain't much motivation, honestly. I'll sometimes peruse and try to answer questions if only to improve my knowledge of a particular subject. 2. If CP knew the kind of questions I typically answer, it could show me similar questions. 3. Some kind of reward. Honestly, StackOverflow's reward system, silly as it is, keeps me answering questions there. 4. Points towards a CP MVP or even a MS MVP. Be creative. 5. Not a hieararchical thread view, that's for sure.
Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
1. Because people here have taken the time and trouble to help me when I've needed it - and continue to do so. 2. Not sure if I can think of a workable solution - maybe a question category like you have for articles, but I guess it would mostly get ignored. It's hard enough for some to even find the correct forum never mind a sub category! 3. Nothing really - I help as much as I can. 4. ??? 5. I think it's OK as it is. [Edit - Damn IE8 posted my message before I had finished somehow???]
Dave
BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)
Why are you using VB6? Do you hate yourself? (Christian Graus) -
I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Perhaps you should be asking why people don't post answers? :( I hate saying this, as I've been a loyal CP member almost since it's inception, but stackoverflow is my first port of call when I have a burning desire to ask or answer programming questions. Sorry Chris, but it's combination of a reward system, plus the ability to edit posts once you have enough badges, is a killer USP. There are other reasons too, mainly that it attracts programmers from all avenues of the industry, whereas CP is known as an MS specific site. For example, I have asked/answered questions about C++/STL/Boost, that if I post here, might eventually illicit a response from a handful of people (99% of the time it's Stuart Dootson), but on stackoverflow I usually get a good answer in a just a few minutes.
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
1. to accumulate knowledge 2a. in-line replies (the ability to view several parts of the thread while editing a reply) 2b. shorthand text (an individual dictionary storing text snippets for easy keyword-based retrieval) if not: selectable signature (combobox with 8 user-settable strings) if not: allow for much more signature text 2c. better search facilities 2d. a way to go right to the most recent post in a forum (the bold one without any "NEW" on page 1, useful on low-throughput forums) 2e. a more reliable system signaling *new* messages (the bold forum titles don't work correctly, sometimes bold is gone in 10 minutes, sometimes it stays there for 8 hours although all have been visited at least once) 2f. a taller message edit box (it fills only half my screen height). 2g. a wider display of the message being replied to (why is it narrower than the reply edit box?) 2h. format buttons to the left of the edit box instead of below (better visibility, less distance) 2i. remark: when afraid some people won't like a different set-up, provide a few alternatives and let the users choose individually. 3a. better questions 3a1. provide more guidance; explain the different forums, how to chose when having a C# database problem on a Vista machine (don't drastically reduce the number of forums!!! instead split VB/VB.NET); explain "don't cross-post", this site's dislike of it is well hidden (alternatively allow and don't mind cross-posting); explain "use code block button"; explain "mention environment, tools, versions". one sentence for each of these on top of the question entry page. 3a2. idea: a question entry form that leads the OP through some questions: - what is the overall goal? - what is the environment, language, tool? - what is the exact symptom? etc. questions would not apply in all cases, but they would invite the poster to provide info on different aspects. 3a3. discourage stupid questions (people not willing to formulate clearly, provide sufficient info, do some searching themselves, etc) by providing a numeric question voting system (scale 1-5, NOT: good/bad) so the poster gets a numeric feedback; and his overall question quality shown both on his personal page and next to each question. Low scores would soon get completely ignored (increase the score by 0.1 each day) 3a4. maybe offer the choice of forum on the edit page, when the question has been composed but not posted yet (do you want a language-oriented forum + combobox? a technology-oriented forum + combobox?) 3b. replace
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Perhaps you should be asking why people don't post answers? :( I hate saying this, as I've been a loyal CP member almost since it's inception, but stackoverflow is my first port of call when I have a burning desire to ask or answer programming questions. Sorry Chris, but it's combination of a reward system, plus the ability to edit posts once you have enough badges, is a killer USP. There are other reasons too, mainly that it attracts programmers from all avenues of the industry, whereas CP is known as an MS specific site. For example, I have asked/answered questions about C++/STL/Boost, that if I post here, might eventually illicit a response from a handful of people (99% of the time it's Stuart Dootson), but on stackoverflow I usually get a good answer in a just a few minutes.
Well, that proves one and for all that Mike does not post here anymore. Anyone know where he went ?
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "I am new to programming world. I have been learning c# for about past four weeks. I am quite acquainted with the fundamentals of c#. Now I have to work on a project which converts given flat files to XML using the XML serialization method" - SK64 ( but the forums have stuff like this posted every day )
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Let me throw a radical idea out there, Chris. Make the CP forums be StackOverflow.com. I know, not-invented-here syndrome, and ads and all that, but you know what, if SO is doing it right, why reinvent it?
Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Chris Maunder wrote:
1. Why answer? What is the motivation?
I don't know really why I keep on doing it. I remember the first time I attempted to answer a question was because I thought "Hey! I know that" and so I suppose it still is. As for the motivation, it is partly a desire to help others, which is difficult for me to do in other ways, and partly 'boredom'. That is not quite the right word, hence the quotes, but I usually visit the coding forums when I am stuck with I am doing myself. I find that answering often jogs my mind and gets me restarted on my own stuff.
Chris Maunder wrote:
2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer?
I agree with others, that tabs in the reply box would make it easier. Finding questions is fine as is IMHO.
Chris Maunder wrote:
3. What would encourage you to answer more more?
Nothing, really.
Chris Maunder wrote:
4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep?
I think the recognition system is fine as it is. I don't spend much time on other programming sites, so cannot compare rewards.
Chris Maunder wrote:
5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
The current system may not be ideal, but it does have the benefit of reducing the amount of space, and therefore scrolling, required for a question and its' answers.
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.”
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
1 If I can I do, serves 3 purposes, opportunity to help, opportunity to ridicule some really stupid question and the opportunity to learn. I some times come across new stuff in the forums, not often but it's there 2 Possibly a method to promote a question to an "advanced" forum. 3 More knowledge - but I'm working on that 4 Helpy bob - 2 grades one for the run of the mill helpers and one for the guys who really dig for the answers. I'm continually astonished at the lengths some people go to in giving an answer with links etc. 5 pass
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
I don't answer questions in huge volume, typically because when I do go hunting for relevant questions, all the ones I'm a) able to help out; b) Able to decipher the broken English; have already been answered. To answer your questions 1. Usually simply to help out. Not for recognition or pats on the back, but the chance to help out someone to get better at their chosen hobby or career is pretty neat. 2. Being able to filter out already answered questions, and to not split up questions in to fixed categories, but adopt a more keyword oriented way of tagging questions. Often questsions cross domains, and while the person could be trying to solve an ASP.Net question, it turns out to be a C# syntax problem. Allowing other people to tag a question and not just the author would be useful. Also having a difficulty rating, similar to voting, would help. I typically only look at challenging problems. 3. I'm not sure. Getting a thankyou reply helps a great deal, but isn't something that can be enforced of course. 4. Does't interest me. 5. For me this is how the process normally unfolds: a) A question is asked b) One or more people respond with "Hang on, thats not enough information, please post X, Y and Z" c) This goes around a couple of times d) The "eureka moment" occurs when the real underlying problem is discovered and a solution is posted. For me it would be nice to not only have the discussion thread, but have the final question/answer re-written and formatted so when people are searching for similar problems, they don't have to read through up to a dozen messages to discover the solution, but they still can if they feel like it. This sort of lends it self to a "mini article" or more of a knowledge base style structure. And also ties in to number 3. If the final answer is a mini-article with status awarded to members for producing the final edited and nicely presented answer, it might work out well. It is quite a lot of effort though, so participation rates might not be high.
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
- Because it's there. 2) Fewer bad questions. 3) If I could understand more of them. 4) Vacation days. 5) There is no perfect solution; stop seeking one.
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
1. Why answer? What is the motivation? Kudos. I remember when I was learning and could get bopgged down and frustraed by something which seems so trivial today - we sometimes forget how much we take for granted. 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? Moderation. Good summary description in the heading. 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? Easier to browse questions. Separation of answered/unanswered questions. 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? You vould look at a points system - other sites use this - allocate a number of points to the question and the person who is deemed to have first answered the question gets the points. There's enough interest in the 'gold' memebers and the down-voting of posts now that I think many would post answers to accumulate points. 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion? I think a single level - Question followed by potential answers. Separate list of questions about the question ... e.g.
+ Q: I needz urgent helps with arias (10 points)
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R: Do you mean Arrays?
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R: Suggest you change the subject to "Array issue - how to detect size of array"
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A: Use Array.Length
+ A: It depends on what you mean by 'size'.
Where Q is the original question, R denote responses rather than answers and A denote potential ansers (the plusses indicate these are the subject lines which can be expanded to show the full text) and the italicised Answeris the accepted answer I'd display the questions (only) in a list - probably latest unanswered first followed by latest answered. Allow a question to be expanded (to another window?) with all of its related information. If moderation is allowed (I know it is expensive) then maybe the original and moderated questions can be shown side-by-side and the original poster emailed to let them know the text has changed.
___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')
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I look at our current programming forums and I feel we're not doing nearly as good a job for those looking for quick answers as we could. The issues: - the format isn't condusive to a question/answer type setup - questions are not getting marked as 'answered' often enough to make a difference - the same questions get asked again and again - unanswered questions disappear too quickly - members post good questions, phrased terribly Yet members post questions, and these questions get answered, basically because the guys who answer care more about helping than about having a perfect system. For those who answer questions: 1. Why answer? What is the motivation? 2. What would make it easier to answer, or easier to find questions you could answer? 3. What would encourage you to answer more more? 4. What, if any, recognition would be suitable for those who really dig deep? 5. What question / answer format would work best in your opinion?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Because I'm bored, and I decide to see what's going on in the programming forums, and before I get too disgusted too quickly, I try to find a question that I actually know the answer to that hasn't already been answered. I really admire those who hang out in the programming forums and actually devote time and attention to answering questions. You guys are the real heros of the CP community, IMO. Marc