A POLL - Would you consider it to be rude to ask someone to ...

[Stusdesktop]

Hello Stus, without naming any names or pointing any specific fingers, could you clarify your second sentence in your second paragraph? I just want to better understand what you are saying> Thanks my friend.

Mucho

Hey Mucho,

It wasn't on this board but the most recent one that raised my ire ..

First post was along the lines of "I have XYZ tank with XYZ lighting and XYZ corals". Second post within an hour was along the lines of " Answer me someone". That to me screams instant gratification and turns me off the rest of the thread completely. A perfect spot for the search function but alas most times it'll get ignored because you're being mean and not answering their questions directly.

The "approval" one is something along the lines of "I have done XYZ, please pat me on the head and give me a cookie" attitude.

I don't ever expect to see posting like the above go away, nor should they really as they are informative in their own special way. What I can and do is choose not to read them.

Hope that helps and explains a little better.

Stu

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Rude,,, I say no ,,, but I also agree with SLove1104,,, so I would say,,, answer the repetitive question if you want and if not move on to the next post. Just thinking out loud here, maybe we could make a sticky at the top of the forum section and post some of the repetitive questions there along with the answer, and then just send the reefer there for the answer, no fuss no muss.

But that's no different than directing them to the search? One redirect simply requires typing the search topic and the other requires searching through the sticky. Just my opinion is all.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Hey Mucho,

It wasn't on this board but the most recent one that raised my ire ..

First post was along the lines of "I have XYZ tank with XYZ lighting and XYZ corals". Second post within an hour was along the lines of " Answer me someone". That to me screams instant gratification and turns me off the rest of the thread completely. A perfect spot for the search function but alas most times it'll get ignored because you're being mean and not answering their questions directly.

The "approval" one is something along the lines of "I have done XYZ, please pat me on the head and give me a cookie" attitude.

I don't ever expect to see posting like the above go away, nor should they really as they are informative in their own special way. What I can and do is choose not to read them.

Hope that helps and explains a little better.

Stu

I hear you , and yes, that does explain it. Thanks

 

[SIR PATRICK]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=would+it+be+rude+to+ask....

 

[SIR PATRICK]

^ Totally joking man- but it works, and is rarely considered rude this way! Pretty cool, huh?


Just coming out and asking to use the search function can be taken rudly, especially by new members.

It would be nice somtimes for everyone to search- but it will never happen.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Awesome feedback everyone.

 

[lbaldrey]

I think everyone is at liberty to choose to reply or not

 

[MUCHO REEF]

I see 4 votes for Yes, it's rude and they are against it. Could you share why so we can better understand. It's nothing personal, the site grows from these types of questions. Your opinion one way or the other is important.

 

[90greefman]

I don't think it's rude at all. I believe a lot of users don't know about it. The search engine yields great results and if you have a little time for reading you can get all the information you need and usually a lot more. I can only address the cyanobacteria question so many times! :spin3:

 

[SLove1104]

I see 4 votes for Yes, it's rude and they are against it. Could you share why so we can better understand. It's nothing personal, the site grows from these types of questions. Your opinion one way or the other is important.

I haven't voted but my guess on why people would think it's rude is simply because if someone asks a question, any answer that isn't directly helpful can be perceived as arrogant and rude. Let's face it, people use the internet to feel high and mighty... especially on internet forums... If a question that can simply be answered in a few words is answered with a "use the search!" instead, it's obviously because the poster would rather be on his high horse than actually give any help.

Like someone said above, if they don't like it, there's a back arrow... use it. Move on. No need to be an *** about it. And yes, most people who "suggest" a search or google do say it in a manner that can only be perceived as short, rude, and uncalled for. What's the point in saying it? Just back up, and move on. But we can't change people. Just as you can't change that some people can't use the search function... well... some people can't be more understanding. Not everyone spends 24 hours a day on the computer and is a forum geek you know...

 

[Friday Night]

I dont mind redundant questions... keeps me on my toes and i learn new methods.. everyday... notice the same questions are asked but peoples answers change i love a mixed bag of answers.. Then it opens the flood gate for a debate and new ideas/methods that can be taken into consideration.. just my 2cents..

 

[SLove1104]

Oh, and to add... People go on forums to converse. Most likely about their problems... If I'm having cyano problems, I'd like to find out why I have cyano problems. Instead of going through a list of 50 other peoples' situations and trying 50 different solutions that worked for them, I'd rather give you all my tank specs, and ask what you think is wrong with my tank... I can only guess many others think this way.

Not only do people want to be given individual attention, but they would rather find out what their problem is by using their own personal situation rather than others' as there can be many variables on why either would give a different solution.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

So you're saying it depends upon what the question is about, or you are dead set against redirecting to the search option for any reason?

 

[SLove1104]

So you're saying it depends upon what the question is about, or you are dead set against redirecting to the search option for any reason?

To me, I just don't see what the big deal is with repeat questions... Redirecting someone to the searches (to me) is like telling someone to go buy a watch when they ask what time it is... If I had a watch, I wouldn't be asking now would I? :smokin:

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Ok, let me ask you this. If I ask you a serious question, cause I needed help urgently, that you typed a great 2 paragraph detailed answer to about 10 days ago, and someone logs on and ask that same question and you saw it, what would you do?

1. Would you retype the entire answer.

2. Say or do nothing and defer to someone else to answer it.

3. Go and do the search yourself and come back and give them the link.

4. Or would you simply say, "you know, I answered that question with a good answer 10 days ago. If you do a quick search under my name, you'll see it".


I'm not being smart mouth, I'm seriously asking.

 

[jefathome]

Pointing out the search function or even recent threads is not rude and is a normal comment on most boards.

I will say that how a question is phrased and presented goes a long way to how I perceive a poster and how/if I'd be likely to answer. There a many differing posting styles and each to their own but the "instant gratification" or "needing approval" type of posts just turn me away from trying to type.

The posts where someone is willing to spend a little time explaining, describing or otherwise trying to get relative information will get my attention.

So you don't like questions like...

How do I get rid of green hair algae?
What eats Apstasia?
How many Tangs in a 40g breeder tank?
What is a "cycle"?

:furious:

 

[jefathome]

Ok, let me ask you this. If I ask you a serious question, cause I needed help urgently, that you typed a great 2 paragraph detailed answer to about 10 days ago, and someone logs on and ask that same question and you saw it, what would you do?

1. Would you retype the entire answer.

2. Say or do nothing and defer to someone else to answer it.

3. Go and do the search yourself and come back and give them the link.

4. Or would you simply say, "you know, I answered that question with a good answer 10 days ago. If you do a quick search under my name, you'll see it".


I'm not being smart mouth, I'm seriously asking.

Ignore the new post/question and crack open another :beer:

 

[jefathome]

To me, I just don't see what the big deal is with repeat questions... Redirecting someone to the searches (to me) is like telling someone to go buy a watch when they ask what time it is... If I had a watch, I wouldn't be asking now would I? :smokin:

I think it is more like a guy walking up and asking you what time it is becasue he is too lazy to take his hand out of his pocket and look at his own watch.

 

[SLove1104]

Ok, let me ask you this. If I ask you a serious question, cause I needed help urgently, that you typed a great 2 paragraph detailed answer to about 10 days ago, and someone logs on and ask that same question and you saw it, what would you do?

1. Would you retype the entire answer.

2. Say or do nothing and defer to someone else to answer it.

3. Go and do the search yourself and come back and give them the link.

4. Or would you simply say, "you know, I answered that question with a good answer 10 days ago. If you do a quick search under my name, you'll see it".


I'm not being smart mouth, I'm seriously asking.

If I knew the answer but it's a long one, yes, I would go search for the link and give it to them. If it's a simple answer, I'd answer it. If I don't feel like doing either, I'll back up and read a different post. I guess it's just me. But I'm helpful like that.

 

[SLove1104]

I think it is more like a guy walking up and asking you what time it is becasue he is too lazy to take his hand out of his pocket and look at his own watch.

In this case, I think it has a lot more to do though with him either not knowing how to use the watch... or simply just wanting to conversate...