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Author How to get you question answered quickly
sam

2005-11-10, 6:57 pm

1- Give a short and descriptive subject to your post:
A subject like: "Please help", "Help!", "hmmm!" or "A Newbie question" are
bad subjects.
I personally do not read this kind of posts. I just mark them as read.

2- Try to describe your problem with minimum phrases as possible:
In all cases try to make your description fits one screen = The scroll bars
of your news poster should not appear.
The majority of users including me do not read long posts: Imagine how many
posts there are per day on a news group and how much time has the guy that
will answer your question. People want to help the maximum users possible
in the time they have.

3- Point 2 leads to: If you have many questions, post one question a time.
It is better for you to get the maximum answered questions than nothing
at all. A long post will probably not be read.

4- Instead of writing phrases that are not relevant to your problem,
try to use that space for useful phrases that helps understanding your
problem.
Examples:
I'm newbie. /* We was/are all newbie */
Let me try to explain /* We expect that */
If someone can help /* If no one can you will have no answer */
.....etc

Best regards,
Sam


billy

2005-11-10, 6:57 pm

WOW !!!

thanks for the lecture! now, would please NOT CROSSPOST!!! never mind the
fact that you cross-posted this same message TWICE!!!

lol

"sam" <rbaba99@caramail.com> wrote in message
news:43739d59$0$67263$157c6196@dreader2.cybercity.dk...
| 1- Give a short and descriptive subject to your post:
| A subject like: "Please help", "Help!", "hmmm!" or "A Newbie question" are
| bad subjects.
| I personally do not read this kind of posts. I just mark them as read.
|
| 2- Try to describe your problem with minimum phrases as possible:
| In all cases try to make your description fits one screen = The scroll
bars
| of your news poster should not appear.
| The majority of users including me do not read long posts: Imagine how
many
| posts there are per day on a news group and how much time has the guy that
| will answer your question. People want to help the maximum users possible
| in the time they have.
|
| 3- Point 2 leads to: If you have many questions, post one question a time.
| It is better for you to get the maximum answered questions than nothing
| at all. A long post will probably not be read.
|
| 4- Instead of writing phrases that are not relevant to your problem,
| try to use that space for useful phrases that helps understanding your
| problem.
| Examples:
| I'm newbie. /* We was/are all newbie */
| Let me try to explain /* We expect that */
| If someone can help /* If no one can you will have no answer */
| ....etc
|
| Best regards,
| Sam
|
|


Janwillem Borleffs

2005-11-10, 6:57 pm

billy wrote:
> thanks for the lecture! now, would please NOT CROSSPOST!!! never mind
> the fact that you cross-posted this same message TWICE!!!
>


There's nothing wrong with cross-posting. With multi-posting (independent
threads of the same subject in several newsgroups) the evil begins...


JW


John

2005-11-11, 3:57 am

On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 20:19:56 +0100, "sam" <rbaba99@caramail.com>
wrote:

>1- Give a short and descriptive subject to your post:
>A subject like: "Please help", "Help!", "hmmm!" or "A Newbie question" are
>bad subjects.
>I personally do not read this kind of posts. I just mark them as read.


Good advice.

I will tery to stick to it.

--
John
Gazornenplat

2005-11-11, 7:56 am

Janwillem Borleffs wrote:
> There's nothing wrong with cross-posting.


OK, so why don't we all cross-post to all the groups? Because then all
groups would be the same, that's why.

Cross-posting is an evil because when it is used, it is almost always
abused. There is usually some idiot with a question about JavaScript,
cross-posting to a number of PHP and MySQL and ASP groups, or some berk
with a really simple question posting to a group for advanced php
professionals, or a little message "i want learn php will ur helping
soon urgent reply plz now" sent to 30+ groups.

If I see the same message in 2 or more groups, I assume that it has
been sent everywhere, might well be already answered by someone posting
just to one group, and so I ignore it, and anything else I notice by
the same author.

There is a place for cross-posting, to be sure. If I had a problem
specific to using mysql in a php environment, then posting to the most
appropriate php group and an appropriate mysql group seems in order (if
I can't find a php/mysql group). If there is a (non-advertising)
announcement regarding PHP in general and you are the only person to
know about it, them tell everyone - no problem.

And if someone DOES cross-post, then often the replies aren't
cross-posted, so you can (literally) lose the thread.

Cross-posting homogenises groups: every cross-post reduces the
individuality of both groups. You might argue that both groups have,
essentially, the same purpose - but they are different communities.
Cross-posting to 3 groups is not like getting 3 quotes for having your
house painted, because people will go out of their way to help. It's
like ringing three taxi firms for a taxi, and taking the first one
which turns up, and stuff the others.

And as for multi-posting...

Ian

sam

2005-11-11, 7:56 am

I started this thread and it is not about cross-posting.
It is about : How to get your question answered quickly

> OK, so why don't we all cross-post to all the groups? Because then all
> groups would be the same, that's why.


What are you talking about ?
Calm down your fantasy.
Have you ever seen one cross-posted to ALL the groups ?????

> Cross-posting is an evil because when it is used, it is almost always
> abused. There is usually some idiot with a question about JavaScript,
> cross-posting to a number of PHP and MySQL and ASP groups, or some berk
> with a really simple question posting to a group for advanced php
> professionals, or a little message "i want learn php will ur helping
> soon urgent reply plz now" sent to 30+ groups.


Yes, Cross-posting is not good, BUT
If you feel that it is necessary to cross-post, do it.
Do you think that my post fells in the category of abuse?

> If I see the same message in 2 or more groups, I assume that it has
> been sent everywhere, might well be already answered by someone posting
> just to one group, and so I ignore it, and anything else I notice by
> the same author.


I think that you are talking about multi-posting.
I agree. One should NEVER NEVER multi-post

> There is a place for cross-posting, to be sure. If I had a problem
> specific to using mysql in a php environment, then posting to the most
> appropriate php group and an appropriate mysql group seems in order (if
> I can't find a php/mysql group). If there is a (non-advertising)
> announcement regarding PHP in general and you are the only person to
> know about it, them tell everyone - no problem.


I agree, +100%

> And if someone DOES cross-post, then often the replies aren't
> cross-posted, so you can (literally) lose the thread.


Yes, and I'm SORRY about not putting a Followup-To field in the
header of my post, so I can't lose the thread and to prevent people
from cross-posting.

Regards,
Sam


Bob Watson

2005-11-11, 6:58 pm


I appreciate your advice and will try to adhere to it.
It certainly sounds reasonable.

I also read the replies to your post, specifically
about cross-posting and multi-posting. I know what
cross-posting is (I think - to multiple newsgroups) but
what exactly is multi-posting ??

Thanks,
Bob
________


"sam" <rbaba99@caramail.com> wrote in message
news:43739d59$0$67263$157c6196@dreader2.cybercity.dk...
> 1- Give a short and descriptive subject to your post:
> A subject like: "Please help", "Help!", "hmmm!" or "A Newbie question" are
> bad subjects.
> I personally do not read this kind of posts. I just mark them as read.
>
> 2- Try to describe your problem with minimum phrases as possible:
> In all cases try to make your description fits one screen = The scroll
> bars
> of your news poster should not appear.
> The majority of users including me do not read long posts: Imagine how
> many
> posts there are per day on a news group and how much time has the guy that
> will answer your question. People want to help the maximum users possible
> in the time they have.
>
> 3- Point 2 leads to: If you have many questions, post one question a time.
> It is better for you to get the maximum answered questions than nothing
> at all. A long post will probably not be read.
>
> 4- Instead of writing phrases that are not relevant to your problem,
> try to use that space for useful phrases that helps understanding your
> problem.
> Examples:
> I'm newbie. /* We was/are all newbie */
> Let me try to explain /* We expect that */
> If someone can help /* If no one can you will have no answer */
> ....etc
>
> Best regards,
> Sam
>
>



billy

2005-11-11, 6:58 pm

| I appreciate your advice and will try to adhere to it.
| It certainly sounds reasonable.
|
| I also read the replies to your post, specifically
| about cross-posting and multi-posting. I know what
| cross-posting is (I think - to multiple newsgroups) but
| what exactly is multi-posting ??

multi-posting is worse if your post is the same for each receiving ng. in
that case, it is identicle to cross-posting except each intended ng is
posted to individually...you copy your question to the clip board, then go
to ng 1 and post it...go to ng 2 and post it...ad nausium. people do this
because MOST of us out here will not bother to respond to cross-posted
messages. so, if i only peruse one ng it looks like a perfectly normal
post...however, if i visit another ng to which you've posted the same
message...i become bitterly hostile! ;^) what makes this worse is that it
wastes everyones time and NONE of the responses (which may have helped
others) are ever seen by the other groups. plus, just as in cross-posting,
you have duplication of effort among those who try to respond.

it's just another abuse of everyones' time and energy.

the only good way to multi-post is if a subject (i.e. question) spans
multiple areas of expertise, and NONE of the ng's give a rip about the
other's, you should s to discuss the subject but lean the discussion
mainly on the specialities of the current group to which you are
posting...this is right and good...but no one EVER takes the time to do this
properly.

people are lazy! that's why these types of correspondence proliferate. don't
be one of them. gosh, i can usually find an answer to very complex problems
in under 5 minutes just by googling! but most people like to
post-n-run...reminds me of trot-line "fishermen"...throw it out there and
come back later to see who we've got hooked.


Mushroom_bobble

2005-11-11, 6:58 pm

well, as we can see. This method is truly effective.

JDS

2005-11-11, 6:58 pm

On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 03:52:42 -0800, Gazornenplat wrote:

> Cross-posting is an evil because when it is used, it is almost always
> abused


<cough>bullshit!</cough>



--
JDS | jeffrey@example.invalid
| http://www.newtnotes.com
DJMBS | http://newtnotes.com/doctor-jeff-master-brainsurgeon/

billy

2005-11-11, 6:58 pm

"Mushroom_bobble" <ingspi@gmail.com> wrote in message
| well, as we can see. This method is truly effective.

effective only in generating a lot of flame responses...and certainly,
highly inefficient to say the least.


sam

2005-11-11, 6:58 pm

>gosh, i can usually find an answer to very complex problems
> in under 5 minutes just by googling!


Very Complex Problem ? under 5 minutes ?
Really? Can you?
What are you doing here?

>but most people like to
> post-n-run...reminds me of trot-line "fishermen"...throw it out there and
> come back later to see who we've got hooked.


If this is what you understood about NG what is for, you missed many things.




billy

2005-11-11, 6:58 pm

| Very Complex Problem ? under 5 minutes ?
| Really? Can you?
| What are you doing here?

yep...really XXXXX-fit-thowing ones. usually takes about 2 to 3 on google.
yep. i really can.
i'm here to help those whom i can.

| If this is what you understood about NG what is for, you missed many
things.

if this is what you remembered about english class in school what is for,
you missed many things.

once again, thanks for your op lecture - uncalled for, unsolicited, and
self-important...and cross-posted with a multi-post follow-up.

XXXXing imp.


sam

2005-11-11, 6:58 pm

> yep...really XXXXX-fit-thowing ones. usually takes about 2 to 3 on google.

olo

> once again, thanks for your op lecture - uncalled for, unsolicited, and
> self-important...and cross-posted with a multi-post follow-up.


You're welcome

> XXXXing imp.


olo


billy

2005-11-11, 6:58 pm


"sam" <rbaba99@caramail.com> wrote in message
news:4374f361$0$67256$157c6196@dreader2.cybercity.dk...
| olo

i leave you with this, oh dearest sam: foad.

*PLONK*


John

2005-11-11, 6:58 pm

On 11 Nov 2005 03:52:42 -0800, "Gazornenplat" <ianbambury@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Janwillem Borleffs wrote:
>
>OK, so why don't we all cross-post to all the groups? Because then all
>groups would be the same, that's why.


There are 3 groups providing feeds on my news-server

alt.comp.lang.php
alt.php
comp.lang.php

I would be grateful for some guidance about what sort of questions I
should post to which group.

--
John

Gazornenplat

2005-11-12, 9:56 pm

JDS Wrote: <cough>bullshit!</cough>

Ah! The cut and thrust of informed, intelligent, witty, logical
reasoning.

JDS

2005-11-12, 9:56 pm

On Sat, 12 Nov 2005 13:05:13 -0800, Gazornenplat wrote:

> Ah! The cut and thrust of informed, intelligent, witty, logical
> reasoning.


Thank you, sweetie.

--
JDS | jeffrey@go.away.com
| http://www.newtnotes.com
DJMBS | http://newtnotes.com/doctor-jeff-master-brainsurgeon/

shawn

2005-11-13, 3:56 am


"John" <yuiwedo@dfijyu> wrote in message
news:khi8n11nil6rskgp0b55nibal4rkin5nv3@
4ax.com...
> On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 20:19:56 +0100, "sam" <rbaba99@caramail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
> Good advice.
>
> I will tery to stick to it.
>


Sam's original post has good points. I would also add:

- Don't post your longish original source code. Try to simplify it by
removing the inrelevant lines and focus on demonstrating your point and
question.

As one who always gets help from this group I would also like to say that
thanking people in advance is not a bad idea :-)

Shawn.

> --
> John



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