I have noticed a few users (not mentioning any names) asking questions like \"What is ADO.NET\" and \"What is VB\" and \"What is a computer\" without attempting to research for themselves, and wanted to see if I am being too harsh on newbies.

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Build it better, faster, quicker, easier.. then fix it (non-offical MS mission statement)

I agree with yu stickleprojects, some of the questions are so basic that a quick search with google on the net will give one enough information. It would truly help if questions from coding experience dominated the forum. It one thing to try something and have problem and another to not bother reading abt something and asking a very basic question that one could simply get by reading any of the thousands basic tutorials.

I would rather have someone ask abt a basic concept if they have read it but not understood it or found where it can be applied.

I hope that will add a bit more professionalsm to the forum and make it a place where one gets worthy answers to worthy questions

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BrainBench ADO.NET and ASP.NET Certified Developer

I say yes, they should attempt to solve the situation themselves before actually asking. The problem does not necessarily have to a difficult one, but they should at least try. That way, they can say I've tried ABC, then it told me, DEF, so I tried GHI but it still didn't work. That way, people who are willing or able to help will be able to figure out what has been attempted, and possible even where the problem is. The help can be provided much faster if a helper knows and thus eliminates what has been attempted.

It is common for people to ask for more information b4 answering a question. This can be frustrating for the person with the problema and can be solved if a little research, or details of steps taken towards solving the problem are provided.

Doing research will also help the person with the problem learn to solve it in future and to understand how the code provided in the solution works. In cases where the person faces a problem then asks for help immediately, when the solution comes, it normally is a matter of Plug and Play (cut and paste). the code is plugged into their app and you could then get a rude "The code you gave me is not working!" type of answer. Further investiagations will tell you that the person is receiving an error saying that the variable fabulous is not defined. This is because someone would have given the example using code on his computer to show the concept, whereas our man has just ripped the code out to get the answer.

As can be seen, many a problem can be solved/saved by prior research. If research is not done properly, the forum could fill up with unanswered questions and guests who would like to join would get the impression that people on the forum (who do their best to help our - for free) do not show much of an interest in other people's problems and we lose another potential member.

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My boss is a Jewish Carpenter (Jesus Christ)


Brain Bench Certified VB.NET Developer