[Tutor] Comment on http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

[Emile van Sebille]

I suspect that of the referrals made to this site only one-in-ten 
actually bother to _read_ the damn thing.  And those are the ones that 
quickly move on to the main python list going forward. (I hope!)

And while you are right that it doesn't serve the needs of the 
ten-second-toms out there that only want an answer to their question, 
ill stated as it may be, and without effort, which is mostly when I'd 
refer someone there, perhaps an introductory page hosted on the python 
site (beginners page perhaps) that we could refer to instead may be 
called for.

In any case, I wouldn't write esr and Rick Moen to request changes -- I 
expect you'd be pointed to 
http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html#disclaimer if you got 
a reply at all.

Emile


On 8/26/2013 12:41 PM, bob gailer wrote:
> Hi fellow tutors and helpers. I have a reaction to
> http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html and I'd like your
> feedback. Perhaps I will then send revised comments to the authors of
> the site.
>
> Before reading my comments pretend you are a newbie asking your first
> question and getting directed to this site.  Go to the site and try it
> get the answer to "how do I ask a good question?"
>
> ---- proposed comments ----
>
> I participate in several Python Help lists. We frequently refer newbies
> to the above site. I decided to take another look at it today.
>
> I found myself a bit disappointed. Here' s why:
>
> All I see at first is email links and Revision History. If I did not
> know to scroll down I might have just figured I was at the wrong page.
>
> Reading translations and disclaimer is not why I'd come here. I also
> would not have come here to be potentially labeled an "idiot".
>
> There's a lot of words to wade thru to get to the heart of the matter -
> how to ask good questions.
>
> What I'd prefer is a page that starts out with a brief summary of a what
> a good question. I think many newbies will read that and get the idea.
>
> Followed by more detail about "how to ask good questions"
>
> Then all the other stuff.
>
> With contact names and email at the bottom preceded by a neutrally
> worded disclaimer. Only those who seek the contact info would need to
> read that.
>