new topic checklist or verification

MBabu · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:21 pm

The number of inadequately described or simply unintelligible requests for help is completely out of control on this board. After the 'new topic' button, I suggest an intermediate page, or even a simple javascript alert() popup that suggests:

Try to solve the problem yourself.
Tell us what you have tried already.
Read the manuals.
Describe EXACTLY what you are doing, what you expect and what you are getting instead.
If you are getting error messages, show the whole messages.
Show the code, JCL or data you are having problems with.
Give as much information as you can.
If you just say "it doesn't work", we'll just say "that's nice".
Don't be sloppy or lazy; if you don't care if the question is right, we don't care if the answer is right.

Notice too that I didn't say 'search before you post'. I suspect that we've lost that battle.

expat · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:35 pm

Not sure that suggesting that the OP read the manuals will do much good either

Also, a more sympathetic response is needed, and we should change

If you just say "it doesn't work", we'll just say "that's nice".

to

If you just say "it doesn't work", we'll just say "Oh dear that is bad".

Robert Sample · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:02 pm

I kind of like:

If you just say "it doesn't work", we'll just say "We're sorry to hear that".

PeterHolland · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:30 pm

Or something like :

Hey thats strange its not working here either.

gcicchet · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 3:38 am

I can't wait for Dick Brenholtz's comments

In the mean time I prefer something like :

Shit happens

dbzTHEdinosauer · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 3:51 am

gcicchet,

since the reason that the offending posters use the forums
instead of asking coworkers is obvious
example
I will refrain from making any comments other than:
if the clown in the example asked me a question at work and then
proceeded to continue talking as he did in this post,
I would back-hand him into his next job.
No wonder people post here - as I have said repeatedly-
no one at their job site will talk to them.

have a good weekend - and a merry christmas - to be un-politically correct,
and happy new year. dbz