<VV> I suggest we do NOT always provide answers... but rather; we teach where to find the information. was: Books

[Dennis & Debbie Pleau]

I find it very obnoxious to tell someone to go search a site.

Dennis

At 09:16 AM 10/14/2005, Joe West wrote:
>All,
>
>Probably no surprise to anyone that I would feel this way, but sometimes it
>is better to teach people where to find the answers rather than give them
>the answers to their questions.
>
>There is simply no need for *anyone* to keep providing the same answers to
>the same questions day after day after day.  It IS a waste of time... when
>the answers to the most commonly asked questions already exist.
>
>Time is the most precious commodity that any of us have... whether we
>realize it or not.  This majordomo is a GREAT resource, but... if a question
>has already been asked and answered dozens or hundreds of times... for
>crying out loud; TELL THE PERSON ASKING THE QUESTION WHERE TO FIND THE
>ANSWER.... if the source of the answer isn't easily accessible (such as the
>answer lies in a book the person asking the question doesn't own), provide
>them the answer and recommend that they purchase the book for future
>questions.
>
>If the answer lies in our archives... point them to the archives and let
>them find the answer.
>
>Or...
>
>If you are a retired person who has all the time in the world to answer the
>same question over and over; go ahead and respond with the answer if you
>have the time.
>
>My point is this:
>
>With so many resources available, it is always a better idea to tell people
>asking questions where they might find the answer in addition to (or in
>place of in the case of our archives) providing them the answer.
>
>I would LOVE to see everyone who posts a question to this majordomo... start
>their email with the following:
>
>"I've checked the archive, but I can't find the answer there so..."
>
>There will be people who don't know about the archive... but sooner or
>later, the vast majority of people will know because of my:
>
>"You'll find 2,546 responses to (insert subject here) at the following
>location http://www.virtualcorvairclub.com/(insert thread search here)"
>
>I'll take care of the ignorance concerning the archive... and thereafter it
>is simply laziness if people don't take the time to do a simple search
>rather than ask the same old questions over and over.
>
>And for those of you who think it is perfectly okay not to teach people how
>to find information themselves... consider that seeing the same old
>questions day after day after day does NOTHING more than drive the experts
>we have on this group away.
>
>Joe West
>Administrator
>http://www.virtualcorvairclub.com