Don't ask us dumb questions!

How to ask questions the smart way

Before asking a question, you should really read Eric S. Raymond's excellent article on how to Ask Questions The Smart Way. Read it, it will increase your chances of getting an answer.

If you chose not to read it, you do so at your own risk... but at least, you should consider these very basic guidelines before asking a question on a channel, newsgroup, mailinglist or whereever:

  1. Make sure your question is appropriate and on-topic whereever you want to ask it! If there are any rules, read them before shooting out any questions.
  2. Generally, do not ask to ask, and do not ask whether somebody knows XYZ. Just ask your question. Of course, you should read and understand the rules first, if there are any.
  3. If there is a manual or other documentation, do not ask the question before searching it! Nobody wants to read out the manual to you unless he/she gets paid for it. Search PHP Manual or Google now!
  4. Be precise! Do not interprete error messages unless you're 100% sure you know what caused them. Also don't simply say "it doesn't work". Give an error message and exactly state _what_ doesn't work.
  5. Make sure your question is well formulated and understandable. Most people don't want to spend their valuable time on helping you when you do not even put the effort in checking your question for correct grammar, spelling, etc.
  6. Be patient! Especially in chatrooms, it is very annoying if people keep repeating their questions. It surely does not increase your chances of getting an answer.
  7. Keep in mind that most of the people in newsgroups and irc channels, etc. are volunteers and it is up to them whether they help you or not. Unless you paid them money, do not have any expectation or even start complaining if you do not receive the support you think you need.
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Link to this page:
http://dont-ask.us/dumb-questions
Wanna be polite? http://please.dont-ask.us/dumb-questions
http://dont-ask.us/dumb.questions
http://dont-ask.us/dumb/questions

Last update 03/06/02 by Frederik Hermans. Please send your feedbacks and comments!