Are the posted questions getting worse?

  • Lynn,

    My wife is a special education teacher with a lot of training and experience in behavior modification. She has taught me the power of ignoring bad behavior. What she would suggest in these cases is to send them to the link where it explains how to pose a question, and then just ignore them until they correctly post code and sample data. If they make an effort, but it's still unacceptable, thank them for trying (because you always reward good behavior), then point them back to the link for whatever they have missed. Then EVERYONE should ignore any comments they make until they post enough information where you can actually help them.

    You gain nothing by arguing with them. That just makes them think they can shame you into helping them, without them putting forth any more effort.

    You may even be giving them an excuse to tell their boss "I'm asking for help but *nobody* knows how to fix this particular problem."

    The sad fact is that there are some people who can't be helped.

    Help those who can.

    __________________________________________________

    Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain. -- Friedrich Schiller
    Stop, children, what's that sound? Everybody look what's going down. -- Stephen Stills

  • Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    The Dixie Flatline (4/18/2012)


    GilaMonster (4/17/2012)


    The "Mr I don't have a clue" thread is starting to resemble a pile-on. Maybe better to just ignore him or at most one post from one person when he posts another vague question...

    It was tempting to join the pile-on, but a little voice kept whispering "Save yourself. Save your sanity. Just walk away."

    And now is trying to hijack other threads to get his answers. If he would just take the time to give us all the information we need to help him, we would.

    am i just jaded on this guy or judging by the grammer of the op does any one see a similarity?? figured id post here instead of rant in the thread.


    For faster help in answering any problems Please read How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help - Jeff Moden[/url] for the best way to ask your question.

    For performance Issues see how we like them posted here: How to Post Performance Problems - Gail Shaw[/url]

    Need to Split some strings? Jeff Moden's DelimitedSplit8K[/url]
    Jeff Moden's Cross tab and Pivots Part 1[/url]
    Jeff Moden's Cross tab and Pivots Part 2[/url]

  • The Dixie Flatline (4/18/2012)


    Lynn,

    My wife is a special education teacher with a lot of training and experience in behavior modification. She has taught me the power of ignoring bad behavior. What she would suggest in these cases is to send them to the link where it explains how to pose a question, and then just ignore them until they correctly post code and sample data. If they make an effort, but it's still unacceptable, thank them for trying (because you always reward good behavior), then point them back to the link for whatever they have missed. Then EVERYONE should ignore any comments they make until they post enough information where you can actually help them.

    You gain nothing by arguing with them. That just makes them think they can shame you into helping them, without them putting forth any more effort.

    You may even be giving them an excuse to tell their boss "I'm asking for help but *nobody* knows how to fix this particular problem."

    The sad fact is that there are some people who can't be helped.

    Help those who can.

    You may be right. But it didn't seem to matter how many times we pointed him to that article. The only thing we didn't do is copy/paste the article into the thread itself, and believe me I was tempted to do that.

    On another note, looking through his posts I did find where he posted his formula for his cumulative totals. Instead of posting it in the thread where we asked for it, he posted it in a different thread. Then I found a much earlier thread where this same formula was giving him an error.

  • Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    The Dixie Flatline (4/18/2012)


    Lynn,

    My wife is a special education teacher with a lot of training and experience in behavior modification. She has taught me the power of ignoring bad behavior. What she would suggest in these cases is to send them to the link where it explains how to pose a question, and then just ignore them until they correctly post code and sample data. If they make an effort, but it's still unacceptable, thank them for trying (because you always reward good behavior), then point them back to the link for whatever they have missed. Then EVERYONE should ignore any comments they make until they post enough information where you can actually help them.

    You gain nothing by arguing with them. That just makes them think they can shame you into helping them, without them putting forth any more effort.

    You may even be giving them an excuse to tell their boss "I'm asking for help but *nobody* knows how to fix this particular problem."

    The sad fact is that there are some people who can't be helped.

    Help those who can.

    You may be right. But it didn't seem to matter how many times we pointed him to that article. The only thing we didn't do is copy/paste the article into the thread itself, and believe me I was tempted to do that.

    On another note, looking through his posts I did find where he posted his formula for his cumulative totals. Instead of posting it in the thread where we asked for it, he posted it in a different thread. Then I found a much earlier thread where this same formula was giving him an error.

    I just hope I never have to work on anything he has ever worked on. I can only imagine the train wreck. :w00t:

    _______________________________________________________________

    Need help? Help us help you.

    Read the article at http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/ for best practices on asking questions.

    Need to split a string? Try Jeff Modens splitter http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Tally+Table/72993/.

    Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 1 – Converting Rows to Columns - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/T-SQL/63681/
    Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Crosstab/65048/
    Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 1) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69953/
    Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 2) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69954/

  • Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    The Dixie Flatline (4/18/2012)


    Lynn,

    My wife is a special education teacher with a lot of training and experience in behavior modification. She has taught me the power of ignoring bad behavior. What she would suggest in these cases is to send them to the link where it explains how to pose a question, and then just ignore them until they correctly post code and sample data. If they make an effort, but it's still unacceptable, thank them for trying (because you always reward good behavior), then point them back to the link for whatever they have missed. Then EVERYONE should ignore any comments they make until they post enough information where you can actually help them.

    You gain nothing by arguing with them. That just makes them think they can shame you into helping them, without them putting forth any more effort.

    You may even be giving them an excuse to tell their boss "I'm asking for help but *nobody* knows how to fix this particular problem."

    The sad fact is that there are some people who can't be helped.

    Help those who can.

    You may be right. But it didn't seem to matter how many times we pointed him to that article. The only thing we didn't do is copy/paste the article into the thread itself, and believe me I was tempted to do that.

    On another note, looking through his posts I did find where he posted his formula for his cumulative totals. Instead of posting it in the thread where we asked for it, he posted it in a different thread. Then I found a much earlier thread where this same formula was giving him an error.

    Do it once and then ignore until they actually post something of use. Baby steps.

    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

  • SQLRNNR (4/18/2012)


    Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    The Dixie Flatline (4/18/2012)


    Lynn,

    My wife is a special education teacher with a lot of training and experience in behavior modification. She has taught me the power of ignoring bad behavior. What she would suggest in these cases is to send them to the link where it explains how to pose a question, and then just ignore them until they correctly post code and sample data. If they make an effort, but it's still unacceptable, thank them for trying (because you always reward good behavior), then point them back to the link for whatever they have missed. Then EVERYONE should ignore any comments they make until they post enough information where you can actually help them.

    You gain nothing by arguing with them. That just makes them think they can shame you into helping them, without them putting forth any more effort.

    You may even be giving them an excuse to tell their boss "I'm asking for help but *nobody* knows how to fix this particular problem."

    The sad fact is that there are some people who can't be helped.

    Help those who can.

    You may be right. But it didn't seem to matter how many times we pointed him to that article. The only thing we didn't do is copy/paste the article into the thread itself, and believe me I was tempted to do that.

    On another note, looking through his posts I did find where he posted his formula for his cumulative totals. Instead of posting it in the thread where we asked for it, he posted it in a different thread. Then I found a much earlier thread where this same formula was giving him an error.

    Do it once and then ignore until they actually post something of use. Baby steps.

    Agreed, but we all have to follow this rule, at least those of us who now know about it.

  • Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    SQLRNNR (4/18/2012)


    Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    The Dixie Flatline (4/18/2012)


    Lynn,

    My wife is a special education teacher with a lot of training and experience in behavior modification. She has taught me the power of ignoring bad behavior. What she would suggest in these cases is to send them to the link where it explains how to pose a question, and then just ignore them until they correctly post code and sample data. If they make an effort, but it's still unacceptable, thank them for trying (because you always reward good behavior), then point them back to the link for whatever they have missed. Then EVERYONE should ignore any comments they make until they post enough information where you can actually help them.

    You gain nothing by arguing with them. That just makes them think they can shame you into helping them, without them putting forth any more effort.

    You may even be giving them an excuse to tell their boss "I'm asking for help but *nobody* knows how to fix this particular problem."

    The sad fact is that there are some people who can't be helped.

    Help those who can.

    You may be right. But it didn't seem to matter how many times we pointed him to that article. The only thing we didn't do is copy/paste the article into the thread itself, and believe me I was tempted to do that.

    On another note, looking through his posts I did find where he posted his formula for his cumulative totals. Instead of posting it in the thread where we asked for it, he posted it in a different thread. Then I found a much earlier thread where this same formula was giving him an error.

    Do it once and then ignore until they actually post something of use. Baby steps.

    Agreed, but we all have to follow this rule, at least those of us who now know about it.

    Yup - and it ain't easy.

    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

  • SQLRNNR (4/18/2012)


    Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    SQLRNNR (4/18/2012)


    Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    The Dixie Flatline (4/18/2012)


    Do it once and then ignore until they actually post something of use. Baby steps.

    Agreed, but we all have to follow this rule, at least those of us who now know about it.

    Yup - and it ain't easy.

    You said it. We will all have some bloody tongues or fingers from trying to stop ourselves. So much easier said than done.

  • Here is a our first challenge. No one should post again until we get what has been requested.

  • Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    Here is a our first challenge. No one should post again until we get what has been requested.

    that kind of blatant hijacking needs to earn him a spot on the blacklists.

    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

  • SQLRNNR (4/18/2012)


    Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    Here is a our first challenge. No one should post again until we get what has been requested.

    that kind of blatant hijacking needs to earn him a spot on the blacklists.

    At least one person thinks that the riya_dave and hbtkp are actually the same person.

    And it is possible, riya_dave joined last night.

  • Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    SQLRNNR (4/18/2012)


    Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    Here is a our first challenge. No one should post again until we get what has been requested.

    that kind of blatant hijacking needs to earn him a spot on the blacklists.

    At least one person thinks that the riya_dave and hbtkp are actually the same person.

    And it is possible, riya_dave joined last night.

    +1 but now looks like riya_dave is not hbtkp. just more of the help me but i cant read an article camp.


    For faster help in answering any problems Please read How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help - Jeff Moden[/url] for the best way to ask your question.

    For performance Issues see how we like them posted here: How to Post Performance Problems - Gail Shaw[/url]

    Need to Split some strings? Jeff Moden's DelimitedSplit8K[/url]
    Jeff Moden's Cross tab and Pivots Part 1[/url]
    Jeff Moden's Cross tab and Pivots Part 2[/url]

  • In the spirit of bad questions getting posted, here's mine.

    I have a "Incorrect syntax near ncp". How do I resolve?

    And now I shall hide in the Tent. Guard Hippo, defend me!

    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.

  • Brandie Tarvin (4/18/2012)


    In the spirit of bad questions getting posted, here's mine.

    I have a "Incorrect syntax near ncp". How do I resolve?

    And now I shall hide in the Tent. Guard Hippo, defend me!

    Here is the fix:

    NcP should fix it because you are in a case sensitive collation.

    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

  • capn.hector (4/18/2012)


    Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    SQLRNNR (4/18/2012)


    Lynn Pettis (4/18/2012)


    Here is a our first challenge. No one should post again until we get what has been requested.

    that kind of blatant hijacking needs to earn him a spot on the blacklists.

    At least one person thinks that the riya_dave and hbtkp are actually the same person.

    And it is possible, riya_dave joined last night.

    +1 but now looks like riya_dave is not hbtkp. just more of the help me but i cant read an article camp.

    Not so sure. Only time will tell. Right now we all need to stay away from posting on that particular thread and see if he posts the needed info.

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