What's up with all these tech-questions from newbies without follow-through?

Question

It's getting quite old. I'm talking about people asking for very sophisticated technical assistance - the kind of assistance that requires an advanced skill-set from an industry veteran, and the asker just abandonds the question, lets the voters pick the answer that works best for the asker, and rarely says "Thank you."

Am I the only one annoyed by this abuse of the community's helpful spirit?

Answer 1

The majority of these questions come from people living in other countries. I know exactly what you are talking about. I am in a few other programming communities across various platforms, and we do have foreign people contributing to discussions.

I think most of the time it has to do with cultural differences, or the fact that maybe the internet is new in their country, they don't understand web etiquette the way we do, and they come off as rude or ungrateful. Poor english can also cause a misunderstanding in the tone of their question/answer. However, I think this will change for each individual once s/he is immersed into web communities for a longer period of time.

It's either this or a bunch of 12 year olds asking questions hat are far beyond their capacity to think about.

Answer 2

I agree that acknowledgement is nice and warranted in most cases. Yet, you and I wouldn't be here answering questions, poorly written, not enough detail, or what; unless we *CHOSE* to answer them. It's okay to complain and it might even help bring back 'old school netiquette' in some cases, but I think you just need to take a break and let the boards slide once in a while until you're really in the mood to help. Then it doesn't seem so much like work as just conversational recreation, which it's meant to be.
I try not to work on them for super extended periods and some days I blow the boards off completely, just so I don't get a bad attitude going. Flame throwers are for war, not giving advice;-). After all, no one will get a pension or a vacation out of these points, just the honor of saying 'I knew and I helped'.

Answer 3

I haven't been here long so I not rated anyone yet. Generally the questions I've answered weren’t too bad. Those questions that where ambiguous I just gave ambiguous answers. Some of the questions sound a bit like home work to me. But others where more genuine.

I don't mind if someone genuinely doesn't know, you have to learn sometime. I’m still learning. It is the people who make assumptions that get to me.

Answer 4

Sure questions abandoned to a vote are annoying! But not near as annoying as best answer comments to the effect that best answer was chosen based on the how cute an avatar the useless answer had. That's why I have my new cute avatar!

Answer 5

I'm good at newbie tech questions, but I generally try to give the helper the coutesy of 10 pts.

Answer 6

I agree. But, it is just one of the many nuances that makes up the public domain. Some people are genuine, others are not. Such is life.

Answer 7

Yea its annoying, as well as users that ask a question with little detail and many grammar errors.

Answer 8

Or your trying to help them at their house and there like...hold on let me show you , let me show you, and by the time their done showing you what they think they know,you could of had everything done...

Answer 9

Its far less annoying than the idiots who dont provide details tho......

Answer 10

I've found that it's because they're already off utilizing the advice.