Answering questions on CP

vbmike

So I decided to step in it an answer/respond to a user's question on CP. What do you guys usually do when the user just does not "get it"? When someone responds and I go "huh?" when I read it, first thing of course is to go back and read what I originally said to make sure I didn't say something wrong, but then what happen's as they go on and on and on and just don't get it? How do you guys "gracefully" sign off on an answer session? FYI, it is a little nerve racking to answer your first question as I know "everyone is watching"..... :) vbmike

OriginalGriff

If you didn't want to be "watched" you shouldn't have mentioned it was your cherry going... :laugh: Sometimes, the best thing to do is just stop responding. Not say "bye" or anything, just stop. Given that he seems intent on dumping his entire file every single time, I think I would have started with telling him to cut it down to relevant fragments only... Nice answer by the way...sometimes it isn't easy to be polite when you just want to bang a head on a desk - and it isn't yours. :-D

Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together. Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."

realJSOP

I've constructed a USB retard detector. As long as everything is going along fine and everyone's "with it", the little LED shines brightly. When it detects a retard, the light dims noticeably (aka "dim bulb"). It usually goes completely out when the mouse pointer is hovered over the Q/A menu option.

".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

Luc Pattyn

OriginalGriff wrote:

you just want to bang a head on a desk - and it isn't yours.

huh? which isn't yours, the head? the desk? please be more specific. and why would you bang someone's head on your desk? or your head on a desk that isn't yours? and finally, do you have to be that violent?? I'm afraid it isn't helping a bit. :confused:

Luc Pattyn [My Articles] Nil Volentibus Arduum

Abhinav S

vbmike wrote:

"everyone is watching"

O_O

Lost User

I just stop responding. It does get me some downvotes, but I believe downvotes are better than some nasty name-calling sessions.

OriginalGriff

By preference, neither would be mine. I do not wish dents into which my pen could sink, in either. However, I do feel that sometimes a degree of severe violence could encourage more intelligent questioning. Particularly once the current generation had died as a result of wounds inflicted... :laugh:

Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together. Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."

Nagy Vilmos

Put them into production,they'll sell like hot cakes!

Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett

vbmike

Thanks to all. Not worried about being "watched" so much, just worried about being wrong. I am sure I will outgrow this feeling though....thanks for your replies. Mike vbmike

Albert Holguin

Sometimes you have to know when to just call it a day with someone. IMO, pointing someone in the right direction without telling them exactly how to do it should be good enough. Then it should be up to OP to look up the necessary information to fill in the blanks. If someone is not willing to work for it, then why continue to help them.

Dr Walt Fair PE

Nah, we're all wrong sometimes, except Luc and JSOP, so don't worry too much about it. If you're wrong, someone will point it out, then just be graceful, admit it, and correct your mistake.

CQ de W5ALT

Walt Fair, Jr., P. E. Comport Computing Specializing in Technical Engineering Software

PIEBALDconsult

Unearned down-votes are better than earned ones. :-D

PIEBALDconsult

For a moment there I thought you were refering to the recent posts in the C# forum as I was in a similar situation last night. :doh: Got a link?

Gary R Wheeler

John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

When it detects a retard, the light dims noticeably (aka "dim bulb")

When I use it, the LED gets sucked into the coax cable of my broadband connection, never to be seen again...

Software Zen: delete this;

modified on Monday, August 8, 2011 4:59 PM

Roger Wright

From my teaching (and learning) experience, everyone learns in his/her own unique way. As a teacher, most students were easy, but to reach a few I had first to discover the student's "way" and change my approach accordingly. A very few were unreachable, due to a lack of attention, or a deep deficiency in fundamentals. Those you just have to walk away from and suggest a refresher on the basics before proceeding. In the forums I see a lot of very good, technically correct, and sufficiently detailed answers that totally baffle to querent. The reasons are several - the OP lacks the background to understand the answer, the phrasing of the answer fails to connect with the OP's learning style, or the OP lacks sufficient motivation to actually try to understand and try out the examples given. For the first, if you're feeling particularly helpful, you can take the time to review the concepts, then step-by-step lead the OP to the answer. For the second, you can try rephrasing your answer in the hope that saying a thing in a different way will trigger an "Aha!" moment for the OP. For the third, there is nothing you can do but walk away. The hard part is determining which case applies. Sometimes it's best, if you want to be exceptionally polite, to simply respond, "I'm sorry, I don't seem to be the one who can help you with this. Perhaps someone else will be able to help." Most of the time, though, it's better just to walk away from it. :)

Will Rogers never met me.

vbmike

Thanks for your comments to be sure...also in reference to your signature thing about will rogers, there was a comedian a few years ago said this: I had someone say "glad to meet you" and I replied "just give it a minute!". I always thought that was funny!... vbmike

vbmike

link? it was my replying in the web development forum. user was having difficulty centering an image. I never did respond to his query about keeping a player going... vbmike

BillWoodruff

Hi, Well, I think there are several options to consider, and absolutely nothing wrong with just 'walking away,' when you really feel it's futile. But, you might also consider: 1. in your own experience, when you have experienced a teacher, or mentor, who was able to effectively assist you, when you were 'stumped:' what do you now realize, with hindsight (ahh, glorious hindsight) was of value in what they said, or how they behaved ? 2. your leaving a good answer, even if the OP doesn't get it, is, imho, a service to CP, and to other folks who may come along and look at that question. And, you never know, some time later your answer may well lead to an "aha" moment for the OP (who will probably not bother to log-in and vote you up). Also, there's the chance you may benefit from another CP member's response to your answer. In an "ideal" world, such "good answers," that happened to be not grokkable by the OP, would somehow "stand out" to others ... but I don't have a clue on how that could be implemented. Some discussion forums have moderators per forum who have the patience and 'love' to continually monitor the 'flow' and point people to resources in the forum, but that consumes ... resources. And, from the 'what's in it for me' point-of-view, you might consider that some CP users, like myself, when they see someone posting frequent answers, is more motivated to read their articles, and study their code. 3. there's absolutely nothing wrong, imho, in telling the OP you know doesn't get it that they don't get it, and then, if you can, giving them a pointer to some resource they can use to get to that place where they will get it. It's a wonderful fact that CP is full of great examples of algorithms, solutions, tips, tutorials, software components ready to be used, fantastic push-the-envelope explorations. And, some people can really use a pointer to a good book. 4. nothing you or I can do can 'make a difference' to someone who is motivated by the 'gimme-the-code-frenzy' syndrome, or someone in the 'help-rejecting-complainer' role (specialists in infectious guilt). So, relax, enjoy yourself, be assured that there are people around that appreciate the fact you gave any answer. Perhaps you can cultivate that state of inner resilience, and non-attachment to the immediate fruits of your actions, that a Buddhist might call 'upheka,' and which perhaps can be described by Yogi Berra's (yes, the baseball player) wonderful statement: "It's deja-vu all over again" :) best, Bill

Mycroft Holmes

Sometimes it is the way you explain it, I've seem where 2 people say basically the same thing with different words and the OP suddenly clicks on one version and the thread continues down that path. As for being wrong, it happens, be graceful, admit the error and make sure the OP knows your answer is wrong.

Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

Peter Mulholland · modified on Monday, August 8, 2011 4:59 PM

Gary R. Wheeler wrote:

When I do it

Really? You're admitting to being that bad at "it"? :-D

Pete