Why do you answer questions in forum?

[Hoopsah]

If you read someone?s question and don't know the answer, why do some users feel the need to write, yes probably or don't think so..............etc.

Realising that their ineffectual input now has number of replies set at 1 - and I am well aware that some of the best users in here don't always look at questions that have been answered.

As a matter of course, I always try to mark my questions solved to save anyone reading a question and answer together.

But seriously - Why answer the question with a non-committal statement?

[Jow]

I don't know


:p

[Bob Phillips]

Why would anybody ask?

Actually, it might be helpful. It (re-) assures the OP that the post is not being ignored, that the responder understands the problem but doesn't have the answer, but might have some ideas, pointers that will help get there.

But responders have the right to respond however they like. I certainly see far too many posts that add nothing to the thread, and I too wish they wouldn't (it is usually the same suspects), and I personally hate the 'thanks for the feedback' type of posts, but that is life. Read it, move on.

BTW, I don't think many of us just read the ones with 0 replies, I would think we go for ones that look to be in our particular area of expertise. For instance, I tend to avoid ones that are more to do with Windows environment, and data querying via MSQuery (for example), and ones where the number of replies is getting silly (usually indicates a totally confused question).


... I would argue it?s the most complex program on the planet and being amongst the brave souls that have mastered it is a blast ?
Wow! I know some pretty impressive Excellers who would never claim they have mastered Excel. The rest of us might as well give up answering now.



When I'm at the asking end of a question, I always try to show my gratitude and respect to those that help me. (Even if some people don't like it ;))
I guess that is referring to my statement Jimmy; if so, my intent was not clear.

I was not criticising anyone for saying thanks; the Lord forbid. What bores me is after someone says thanks, maybe mentions that the problem is solved, the person who supplied the answer (or sometimes, one of many) says 'Thanks for the feedback'. I find it tedious, irrelevant, and even rude (the OP has the right to close out the thread IMO). In the public NGs there is one primary culprit of this practice (I once calculated that 14% of his posts were TFTF posts)

[Jow]

In the case of somebody posting just to say "yes probably", it could be an attempt to sound authoritative on a subject that they don't fully understand. Or maybe they're just trying to point someone in the right direction even thought they're not completely sure.

If someone's posting just to say "I don't know", then I'm guessing they just want to get their post count up.

[gwkenny]

But seriously - Why answer the question with a non-committal statement?

Well, sometimes, umm, I maybe make a statement that I'll stand behind. Just not very often, I think.

Seriously, it's all about the post count baby!!!!!

[Jow]

Sometimes I'd rather get a ton of replies saying "I don't know" than just getting no replies at all, like xld said, at least you know people aren't ignoring your question.

[DoLoop]

I suppose I'm the cause of your frustration :banghead: .
What if you possibly know an answer, but don't understand the question very well? (Sometimes, English is dialect English or kind of slang on this forum) So don't get annoyed then.

[mdmackillop]

This question has 37 views and now 8 responses. Views can show that the question is not being ignored.
Lots of views and no responses? Re-examine your question.
I'll often skip over a question with a number of responses, assuming that it is being dealt with.

[Jow]

Views can show that the question is not being ignored.


Assuming that everyone who can help does help.

[Hoopsah]

Cool!

I'm not trying to have a go at anyone just trying to clarify things. I have been on numerous forums before when I ask a question, some people will answer - Yes. And to be fair this is no help at all.

I don't always want to post copies of workbooks, 2 reasons, 1. I don't want to clog up the server etc and 2. I don't want anyone thinking that I just wanting you to do the work for me.

I am very conscientious and will never use a piece of coding unless I can understand it.

With that said, thanks for your responses, and I would guess that I should post copies of workbooks more often and not allow myself to get annoyed at "Post-Count" replies.

Pure Cheers

[tpoynton]

I will sometimes (often?) reply to posts to help further my own understanding and knowledge. Some of the most knowledgeable people here have asserted much of their own learning comes from helping others.

the experts on here are very good about sharing their knowledge freely and often. this seems to create an expectation regarding the quality of replies...I come here to learn, and if I reply to a post where I'm not absolutely certain of the answer, I'll make it transparent. an OP can ignore my posts and wait for one of the authorities to come along and definitively answer the question, but is that in keeping with the spirit of the forum? I dont know, perhaps :)

[Brandtrock]

... I certainly see far too many posts that add nothing to the thread, and I too wish they wouldn't (it is usually the same suspects)...

C'mon Bob, I haven't posted here in months. :rotlaugh:

[mdmackillop]

Moved to Off-Topic forum so the posts don't count!

[Ken Puls]

The reasons I post, period, are threefold:
-To learn for my own sake
-To give back some of the vast amount I have taken from the forums
-For fun

Often times these posts can take the form of more questions than answers, as this can help both me and the OP know what they are after. I also enjoy being social on occassion, which may not add much to the technical discussion, but is part of what, IMO, makes VBAX one of the lightest, and friendliest forums on the net today. Somtimes I'll even post just to say that I'd interested in the answer, as it gets me on the emial reply list. I guess all I'm saying is that the reasons can be plentiful, and I wouldn't be too concerned about it.

For the record, I tend to look for posts that meet any of the following:
-Unanswered, (or low number of replies)
-Subject appears challenging
-Posted by specific users whom I know want to learn

Barring those, I'll dig in anywhere.


I will sometimes (often?) reply to posts to help further my own understanding and knowledge. Some of the most knowledgeable people here have asserted much of their own learning comes from helping others.

the experts on here are very good about sharing their knowledge freely and often. this seems to create an expectation regarding the quality of replies...I come here to learn, and if I reply to a post where I'm not absolutely certain of the answer, I'll make it transparent. an OP can ignore my posts and wait for one of the authorities to come along and definitively answer the question, but is that in keeping with the spirit of the forum? I dont know, perhaps :)

Absolutely agree. :)

[david000]

If you read someone?s question and don't know the answer, why do some users feel the need to write, yes probably or don't think so..............etc.

Realising that their ineffectual input now has number of replies set at 1 - and I am well aware that some of the best users in here don't always look at questions that have been answered.

Wrong, the best users are the best, because they know there is no one right ?answer? 99.99% of the time. The Wild West free market manner of all forums weeds out the ding-a-lings. In Excel you are your own worst enemy. I would argue it?s the most complex program on the planet and being amongst the brave souls that have mastered it is a blast ? what I want to know is what?s second best? I haven?t found anything.


Ken,


-Posted by specific users whom I know want to learn


That's me :hi:

[JimmyTheHand]

When I'm trying to pose as an expert, I always seek to post only if I believe that my contribution will move the thread towards solution. Sometimes I let loose seemingly non-committal statements, but even those, most of the time, aim to let the OP know their way of asking questions is unefficient.

When I'm at the asking end of a question, I always try to show my gratitude and respect to those that help me. (Even if some people don't like it ;)) Being polite feels good, and acknowledgements from those we help make many of us feel good, too. Also, whether we know/accept or not, we set standards for others. You all set standards for me. I pay attention to the way VBAX authorities react to things, and try to learn from you in that regard, too.

As for truly meaningless posts, those, too, have their role in cosmos, I'm sure. For instance, they can serve as tests for impatient people ;)
IMO, you can damage your own chances of getting a sound answer to your question much more than any non-commital statements from others, simply by asking the wrong way. Other than that, it's only a matter of persistence.

Jimmy

[DoLoop]

Wow, Jimmy, you should go for president!

[JimmyTheHand]

I guess that is referring to my statement Jimmy; if so, my intent was not clear.
Yes, Bob, I was referring to your statement, even though it was half joke. Nevertheless, your meaning is much clearer now.


What bores me is [...]the person who supplied the answer (or sometimes, one of many) says 'Thanks for the feedback'. I find it tedious, irrelevant, and even rude (the OP has the right to close out the thread IMO). In the public NGs there is one primary culprit of this practice (I once calculated that 14% of his posts were TFTF posts)
I would be irritated by him, too, though for different reason. His post-solution post would make it look like he was taking all credits, even though he was just "one of many" who made the path manageable. Not fair. But, as you said, that is life. You just have to know the difference between standards other people set, and maybe compensate for the bad ones.

[david000]

xld,

I would think we go for ones that look to be in our particular area of expertise.

me

I would argue it?s the most complex program on the planet and being amongst the brave souls that have mastered it is a blast


Correction: Folks whom have mastered even a small portion of this beast we call Excel?:bug:

We?re all talking about communication here, ?off topic? and the bottom line is, we could all do better there as well. Opening up your window to the world and saying ?Help!? is one thing. Grabbing the attention of a sub-set of gurus is another matter.

[david000]

xld

(I once calculated that 14% of his posts were TFTF posts)

Did his name rhyme with MellowFabDoe by any chance?

[JimmyTheHand]

xld

Did his name rhyme with MellowFabDoe by any chance?
Or "forbidden"? :)

[Groom]

It's more to share my own experience and you never know. Might learn one or two things in the process =)

[nst1107]

I have a problem with getting discouraged/losing interest in the middle of big projects, so I like to look for little projects (e.g. solving threads posted on this forum). Since coding is just a hobby of mine, I don't have to plug away at those big projects when I don't feel like it. It's more interesting, and it's satisfying when you can give a good solution that you know made somebody's day.

[Bob Phillips]

I have a problem with getting discouraged/losing interest in the middle of big projects, so I like to look for little projects (e.g. solving threads posted on this forum). Since coding is just a hobby of mine, I don't have to plug away at those big projects when I don't feel like it. It's more interesting, and it's satisfying when you can give a good solution that you know made somebody's day.

That is so true here too. I dip into the forums to get some relief from the day job.

[Aussiebear]

Hmmm..... Okay if I promise to lift my game, can I continue on the forum?

[blaqk]

lol thats a good point. tad annoying too I guess.

[stanleywilli]

Maybe because they want to be usefull and become a part of the community

[Hoopsah]

Thanks for the answer Stanley - 8 years after I asked the question ;)

I originally asked this question as I too was a noob on the site and had received some strange answers to some of my questions.

The general consensus seemed to be that there were some users who simply answered questions in order to get their post count up.

Hope you enjoy the site, I am not on it as much as I used to be but I totally loved the help I received for certain sections on this site.

[joshman1088]

I'm sure glad all of you share your knowledge. Really helps

[ste.bann]

Knowledge is the only ressource, that increases by sharing