Are the posted questions getting worse?

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Are the posted questions getting worse?

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Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 1

SQLRNNR (6/9/2011)
Steve Jones - SSC Editor (6/9/2011)
Just an FYI, those of you that posted in the "real world financial problem", I whacked the thread. No replies or discussion seemed to be of use to the site in there.
My apologies for those of you that wasted your time.
I missed it. And then Steve goes all GodFather on the thread - crud

You didn't miss much.

In short, someone posted a question that looked like it had been taken from Comp Sci 101. A couple people people called it as homework. OP denies it, gets aggressive then insulting.

Best sentence from there (paraphrased)

"OK you <insulting term removed> there's a new kid on the block and he doesn't stand for BS"

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

Sioban Krzywicki One Orange Chip Points: 27770 More actions · Answer 2

GilaMonster (6/9/2011)
SQLRNNR (6/9/2011)
Steve Jones - SSC Editor (6/9/2011)
Just an FYI, those of you that posted in the "real world financial problem", I whacked the thread. No replies or discussion seemed to be of use to the site in there.
My apologies for those of you that wasted your time.
I missed it. And then Steve goes all GodFather on the thread - crud
You didn't miss much.
In short, someone posted a question that looked like it had been taken from Comp Sci 101. A couple people people called it as homework. OP denies it, gets aggressive then insulting.
Best sentence from there (paraphrased)
"OK you <insulting term removed> there's a new kid on the block and he doesn't stand for BS"

Clearly not a BS, he's still in CS101! He'll likely end with a BA or an AA if he finishes at all. 🙂

--------------------------------------
When you encounter a problem, if the solution isn't readily evident go back to the start and check your assumptions.
--------------------------------------
It’s unpleasantly like being drunk.
What’s so unpleasant about being drunk?
You ask a glass of water. -- Douglas Adams

Jim Murphy SSCertifiable Points: 6263 More actions · Answer 3

SQLRNNR (6/9/2011)
Brandie Tarvin (6/9/2011)
jcrawf02 (6/9/2011)
Jim Murphy (6/9/2011)
GilaMonster (6/9/2011)
I post too much.
Congrats Gail! That's awesome.
The best part is that your posts are not useless point-getting restatements. Grrrr, I hate those. You post consistent quality.
Yeah, I hate when people just restate someone's post in order to get points.
Yeah, I really hate when people just restate someone's post in order to get points.
(notice the addition of a word up there above that prevents this post from being exactly that! @=)
Yeah, I really really hate when people just restate someone's post in order to get points.

I guess I was driving at a motive. Not the accidental within-a-minute stuff or legit reinforcements. But some folks, you can tell, slap restatements that do not add any value or new information and their purpose is usually one of three reasons (using histogram-style sampling):

A) Want another point. Someday, I'll be at 400! (at least, this is why I do it!)

L) I want everyone to think I'm amazing because I'm 'answering' everyone's questions.

X) I'm too lazy or too busy to actually read the question (and especially the existing answers).

To avoid Paired Posting (concurrent posters typing answers to the same question with neither holding a thread-lock with their respective WaitStats being either PageTypeIO or CXHeadSpace), I've learnt to see if Gail is actively posting (which she usually is), and I try again later in the afternoon. I remember a few months ago, she and I did this for about three days straight. And of course her explanations are much better (and more clear) than mine. So my overall posting is down.

Speaking of which, I've noticed you (GS) not posting all day long like before. quite as much, that is. So bottom feeders like me can answer a few.

My current focus is the zero answered questions only, figuring that others are answering the other threads. Probably a bad assumption, but with only a few breaks in the action throughout the day and night, I try to be as helpful as possible. Course, this means these questions are either hot off the presses and I become a Paired Poster, or it's a hard question and others leave behind.

Anyway, fun none-the-less, even if my contributions are small.

Jim Murphy
http://www.sqlwatchmen.com
@SQLMurph

Jim Murphy SSCertifiable Points: 6263 More actions · Answer 4

GilaMonster (6/9/2011)
SQLRNNR (6/9/2011)
Steve Jones - SSC Editor (6/9/2011)
Just an FYI, those of you that posted in the "real world financial problem", I whacked the thread. No replies or discussion seemed to be of use to the site in there.
My apologies for those of you that wasted your time.
I missed it. And then Steve goes all GodFather on the thread - crud
You didn't miss much.
In short, someone posted a question that looked like it had been taken from Comp Sci 101. A couple people people called it as homework. OP denies it, gets aggressive then insulting.
Best sentence from there (paraphrased)
"OK you <insulting term removed> there's a new kid on the block and he doesn't stand for BS"

Nice. Imagine if the thread was left and someone new stumbles on the site and reads that. They would not see the site as a clean goldmine of Knoweledge.

Good call Steve.

Jim Murphy
http://www.sqlwatchmen.com
@SQLMurph

jcrawf02 SSC-Insane Points: 24198 More actions · Answer 5

SQLRNNR (6/9/2011)
Steve Jones - SSC Editor (6/9/2011)
Just an FYI, those of you that posted in the "real world financial problem", I whacked the thread. No replies or discussion seemed to be of use to the site in there.
My apologies for those of you that wasted your time.
I missed it. And then Steve goes all GodFather on the thread - crud

"I know it was you, MCTS | MCITP | OCA | OCP | OCE | SCJP | IBMCDBA. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!"

---------------------------------------------------------
How best to post your question[/url]
How to post performance problems[/url]
Tally Table:What it is and how it replaces a loop[/url]

"stewsterl 80804 (10/16/2009)I guess when you stop and try to understand the solution provided you not only learn, but save yourself some headaches when you need to make any slight changes."

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 6

Jim Murphy (6/9/2011)
To avoid Paired Posting (concurrent posters typing answers to the same question with neither holding a thread-lock with their respective WaitStats being either PageTypeIO or CXHeadSpace), I've learnt to see if Gail is actively posting (which she usually is), and I try again later in the afternoon. I remember a few months ago, she and I did this for about three days straight.

Lol.

There was a period where George Sibbald and I did that repeatedly. Our answers were usually near identical with identical posting times, but I got in a second or two earlier every time. It was quite funny.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

Orlando Colamatteo SSC Guru Points: 182279 More actions · Answer 7

Jim Murphy (6/9/2011)
GilaMonster (6/9/2011)
SQLRNNR (6/9/2011)
Steve Jones - SSC Editor (6/9/2011)
Just an FYI, those of you that posted in the "real world financial problem", I whacked the thread. No replies or discussion seemed to be of use to the site in there.
My apologies for those of you that wasted your time.
I missed it. And then Steve goes all GodFather on the thread - crud
You didn't miss much.
In short, someone posted a question that looked like it had been taken from Comp Sci 101. A couple people people called it as homework. OP denies it, gets aggressive then insulting.
Best sentence from there (paraphrased)
"OK you <insulting term removed> there's a new kid on the block and he doesn't stand for BS"
Nice. Imagine if the thread was left and someone new stumbles on the site and reads that. They would not see the site as a clean goldmine of Knoweledge.
Good call Steve.

It was a good call. It was not really suitable for the passer-by but I am confident it would evoke hearty laughs from most that frequent this thread.

I wonder if a private version of the thread could be made available (hint, Steve)

There are no special teachers of virtue, because virtue is taught by the whole community.
--Plato

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 8

Stefan Krzywicki (6/9/2011)
Clearly not a BS, he's still in CS101! He'll likely end with a BA or an AA if he finishes at all. 🙂

He claimed it wasn't homework, that he worked for a financial company and that it was for a tech design that's due tomorrow.

Not sure if he was lying or lazy.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

jcrawf02 SSC-Insane Points: 24198 More actions · Answer 9

Jim Murphy (6/9/2011)
SQLRNNR (6/9/2011)
Brandie Tarvin (6/9/2011)
jcrawf02 (6/9/2011)
Jim Murphy (6/9/2011)
GilaMonster (6/9/2011)
I post too much.
Congrats Gail! That's awesome.
The best part is that your posts are not useless point-getting restatements. Grrrr, I hate those. You post consistent quality.
Yeah, I hate when people just restate someone's post in order to get points.
Yeah, I really hate when people just restate someone's post in order to get points.
(notice the addition of a word up there above that prevents this post from being exactly that! @=)
Yeah, I really really hate when people just restate someone's post in order to get points.
I guess I was driving at a motive. Not the accidental within-a-minute stuff or legit reinforcements. But some folks, you can tell, slap restatements that do not add any value or new information and their purpose is usually one of three reasons (using histogram-style sampling):
A) Want another point. Someday, I'll be at 400! (at least, this is why I do it!)
L) I want everyone to think I'm amazing because I'm 'answering' everyone's questions.
X) I'm too lazy or too busy to actually read the question (and especially the existing answers).
To avoid Paired Posting (concurrent posters typing answers to the same question with neither holding a thread-lock with their respective WaitStats being either PageTypeIO or CXHeadSpace), I've learnt to see if Gail is actively posting (which she usually is), and I try again later in the afternoon. I remember a few months ago, she and I did this for about three days straight. And of course her explanations are much better (and more clear) than mine. So my overall posting is down.
Speaking of which, I've noticed you (GS) not posting all day long like before. quite as much, that is. So bottom feeders like me can answer a few.
My current focus is the zero answered questions only, figuring that others are answering the other threads. Probably a bad assumption, but with only a few breaks in the action throughout the day and night, I try to be as helpful as possible. Course, this means these questions are either hot off the presses and I become a Paired Poster, or it's a hard question and others leave behind.
Anyway, fun none-the-less, even if my contributions are small.

See, I usually take the opposite approach, post what I know, then wait for someone who knows better to correct me.

---------------------------------------------------------
How best to post your question[/url]
How to post performance problems[/url]
Tally Table:What it is and how it replaces a loop[/url]

"stewsterl 80804 (10/16/2009)I guess when you stop and try to understand the solution provided you not only learn, but save yourself some headaches when you need to make any slight changes."

SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 10

Last minute trying to get the word out. We opened up S3OLV meeting to virtual this month.

Info here: http://jasonbrimhall.info/2011/06/09/june-s3olv-update/

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events

TomThomson SSC Guru Points: 104773 More actions · Answer 11

Kit G (6/9/2011)
....But a search of the web didn't give me a picture of "Tulaichean pumps", so I can offer no opinion on those being worn with a kilt.

Spelling problem caused by language problem - my fault. The non-Gaels in Scotland and Ireland say and write "hullachan" instead of "tuileachan pumps", presumably because people originally heard the word in the phrase "brogan thuileachan" (the "t" in gaelic "th" is silent) meanings "shoes for tuileachan" and lost the first word. Here is a picture of tulaichean pumps. Tuileachan means a kind of foursome reel or fling, or the steps of that particular dance (which of those it means depends on context).

As for the addition of swords, if you're going to add swords, best to keep it within the culture. The addition of a Scottish Claymore to the whole thing will probably produce as many comments as just the kilt.
I heard a story about a person in the SCA who was coming back from an event and was riding the NCY subway in the late evening hours. His persona for the SCA was Scottish, so he was wearing the kilt, all the bells and whistles and a Claymore. There were only a few in the subway car when three or so punks got on. They, being the punks that they were, saw a man in a skirt as easy prey. As they moved in to close on their chosen victim, he stood up, bared a few feet of steel and said, "I've got three more feet of steel and I know how to use it." The punks, being the cowards they generally are, decided that the next stop was theirs and got off the subway.
Whether the story is true or not, I have no clue. But it makes for an interesting picture and entertaining story.

That could't have happened in modern Britain (although it wouldn't have been all that surprising twenty five years ago). Since 1988 it's been illegal in any public place to carry any non-folding blade or a folding knife with a blade longer than 3 inches, unless there is an applicable exemption (a fisherman can carry a gutting knife when fishing, but not at other times; an officer can have his ceremonial sword when in a dress uniform that includes it; a chef can carry kitcen knifes to and from work provided he carries them in a secure locked container; a Sikh of the Khalsa can carry his Kirpan along with his Kachera, Kara, Kanga and Kesh). If it weren't for the national dress exemption both my sgianan dubha would be illegal (on two counts: non-folding, and blade longer than three inches).

Oddly enough, New York City law is very similar to British law: the three main differences appear to be (i) length: 4 inches limit in NYC, 3 inches in UK. (ii) fewer exemptions (and only specific exemptions, not a general class) in NYC than in UK. (iii) fixed and folding both treated the same way in NYC, but not in UK. New York state law of course prohibits all automatic knives (as does British law) with a few exemptions (the same ones as in Britain for automatic knives); and of course in NY state law exemptions are limited to US citizens whereas British law doesn't distinguish citizens and non-citizens. SO as in teh UK, if it happened in NY it must have been some time ago.

But then, if someone was wearing a kilt and sandals and also carting around a Claymore, I just might be more forgiving about the whole socks thing. 😀

Well, I have to wear socks to carry a sgian dubh - because as part of national dress it is carried in the sock. So if I wanted to carry one while wearing sandals, I would be stuck with the sandal and sock combination. 🙁

Tom

TomThomson SSC Guru Points: 104773 More actions · Answer 12

SQLRNNR (6/9/2011)
...Whether with formal attire or beach attire, people can't discern where flip flops belong.

Surely everyone can discern that they belong on the feet? 😛

Tom

Brandie Tarvin SSC Guru Points: 173083 More actions · Answer 13

Tom.Thomson (6/10/2011)
SQLRNNR (6/9/2011)
...Whether with formal attire or beach attire, people can't discern where flip flops belong.
Surely everyone can discern that they belong on the feet? 😛

In Florida?

Don't be so sure. @=)

Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database AdministratorLiveJournal Blog: http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/[/url]On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.Freelance Writer: ShadowrunLatchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

TomThomson SSC Guru Points: 104773 More actions · Answer 14

Kit G (6/9/2011)
GilaMonster (6/9/2011)
Stefan Krzywicki (6/9/2011)
I think I'd be more worried about someone with a gladius on a subway car. A claymore is a lot of steel in a confined space.
It's more the psychological effect. 'His weapons are larger than mine' impression.
Yep. That was my thought when I heard the story, a subway car is a bit cramped to be using a 6' length of steel.

Six feet is a hopeless overestimate for a claymore.

The two-handed (or hand-and-a-half) highland claymore was only about three quarters of that length.

The more recent one-handed regimental (dress) claymore is even shorter, and ranges from about two and a half to abit under three feet. I haven't a clue why this was called a claymore - if it had acquired that name in the 18th century I would attribute it to the illiteracty (in gaelic) of the British army's officer class at that time, but the highland regiments still had highland (gaelic-speaking) officers in the 17th century when the dress claymore acquired its name, and they wouldn't have mistaken a one-hander with a basket hilt for a "great sword" (the literal translation of "claidheamh mór", which became claymore in English).

Tom

Lynn Pettis SSC Guru Points: 442467 More actions · Answer 15

SQLRNNR (6/9/2011)
Last minute trying to get the word out. We opened up S3OLV meeting to virtual this month.
Info here: http://jasonbrimhall.info/2011/06/09/june-s3olv-update/

I had technical difficulties last night and couldn't get anything to work. Sorry I missed the meeting.