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[–] 9 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (4 children)

In short, this is a social faux pas that you didn't know about, because you're new to asking questions online.

And as you can see from the existence of that wikihow page: it's a common problem and you are not the first or the last to run into this. Sorry.

https://www.wikihow.com/Ask-a-Question-on-the-Internet-and-Get-It-Answered

Learn the culture of the forum. Every community on the internet has its own style and set of rules (both written and unwritten). Spend some time reading through other posts before making your own. This will help you learn the etiquette for that specific forum. Knowing how to ask your question in a way that fits in with that culture can really help you get the answers you need.

Make your title a succinct version of your question.

Go into detail in the body of the message. After writing the title, explain the details in the body. List specific problems and what you have tried so far.

Describing what you have tried so far, is extremely important.

Writing it out can make you go through the thinking steps necessary and you will answer your own question in the process of asking it. That's so common it's called "rubber ducking". Everyone does it. But if you don't do the writing, people can be cross because you're asking a question you didn't need to ask.

Keep an open mind. There's a chance that you won't like the answer you receive. There's also a chance that the answer that you don't like is the only available option. Make sure to keep an open mind about your responses, and try to avoid getting defensive.

Don't give up. If you don't receive any responses, or the responses are not satisfactory, take some time to examine your question. Was it specific enough? Did you ask too many questions? Was the answer easily obtained through a web search? Is the question even answerable? Rework your question and ask it again, either in the same place or a new one. Never believe that you are entitled to an answer. Responders volunteer their time to help out other users. No one owes you an answer, so you should avoid acting like they do.

There are different kinds of communities that have different levels of professionalism and question asking culture. You picked one at random at the wrong level.

I promise you not every community online is like that. Try a different one.


And also, you didn't do your research for this question either. Or you could have found the wikihow page. 😜

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  • [+] 13 points 9 months ago (4 children)
  • [–] 10 points 9 months ago

    I will say that getting a question ignored when asked in a manner that is contrary to the rules of that community is normal. People not reading the rules and guidelines and asking inappropriately is very common and results in a lot of burnout.

    But you are correct - it takes little effort to not be an asshole, and in those situations one should just move on and let the powers that be clean it up.

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  • [–] 3 points 9 months ago

    I don't think it is about needing a doctorate beforehand and I find your characterization of @it_depends_man@lemmy.world's advice on social etiquette weirdly non-sequitur and white knighty. Would you walk into a religious place of worship, a strip club, a gun range, or Costco without at least knowing how to interact with that space? Wearing your magic underwear? Bring enough fives? Ear protection? Membership card?

    The point being virtual spaces are weird and full of weird people that live in their head. And they make communities that have implicit and explicit rules like all communities. And if you're wading neck deep into a pool of internet weirdos (their pool, mind you, you're the outsider traipsing in wanting their knowledge and wisdom) and want your question answered, the lurk and learn advice from above is solid.

    Does it suck? Maybe? I can see it from the community's perspective where they set the barrier to entry.

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  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago*

    Asking questions is fine; asking without doing prior research is fine too.

    No one's entitled to an answer & certainly not a polite one if they fail to show consideration for others by putting sensible effort themselves. That's not called a doctorate, that's called trying.

    Contrary to your opinion, those "assholes" may be doing OP a favor by pointing out the question is deficient. Most volunteers respond to an ineptly posed question by ignoring it. This is rational: which question would you rather answer?

    • A well-prepared question that hadn't been answered before & that provides all the information relevant to answer it.
    • A poorly prepared question that requires the answerer to sink in significantly more resources with painful back-and-forth to elicit missing information & point out basic resources.

    Getting questions answered sooner by reducing the effort & pain to answer them is in everyone's interest.

    Learning how to learn & ask questions well are indispensable skills. If you want to keep asking questions unintelligently, though, then you can expect to wear out the patience & good will of the volunteers answering them. Just as you are free to not try, everyone else is free & entitled to go full asshole on that bullshit.

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