Are the posted questions getting worse?

Question

Are the posted questions getting worse?

Forum Etiquette: How to post Reporting Services problems

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Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help - by Jeff Moden
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How to Post Performance Problems - by Gail Shaw
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Sean Lange SSC Guru Points: 286590 More actions · Answer 1

Evil Kraig F (12/17/2013)
Hey all, sorry I haven't been around for... well a good while. Merry Christmas to everyone, though!

Good to virtually see you again Craig. Hope all is well. Have a great holiday yourself!!!

_______________________________________________________________

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/

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004356 More actions · Answer 2

mister.magoo (12/17/2013)
Good day Threadizens 🙂
I have written an article (my first) on how to get help with SSRS reports.
It was inspired by Jeff's classic "Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help" - but I am sure not that accomplished.
I was wondering if anyone of you experienced article writers would be so kind as to have a read and offer any suggestions/criticisms?
Thanks

Damn. I don't even know how to spell SSRS. I'm not sure I'd be of any help on this subject but I could take a look at it if you'd like.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

mister.magoo SSC-Forever Points: 47174 More actions · Answer 3

Jeff Moden (12/17/2013)
mister.magoo (12/17/2013)
Good day Threadizens 🙂
I have written an article (my first) on how to get help with SSRS reports.
It was inspired by Jeff's classic "Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help" - but I am sure not that accomplished.
I was wondering if anyone of you experienced article writers would be so kind as to have a read and offer any suggestions/criticisms?
Thanks
Damn. I don't even know how to spell SSRS. I'm not sure I'd be of any help on this subject but I could take a look at it if you'd like.

Perfect then 😀

I have PMd you about it - if that's no good let me know.

MM

select geometry::STGeomFromWKB(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

ChrisM@Work SSC Guru Points: 186127 More actions · Answer 4

mister.magoo (12/17/2013)
Good day Threadizens 🙂
I have written an article (my first) on how to get help with SSRS reports.
It was inspired by Jeff's classic "Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help" - but I am sure not that accomplished.
I was wondering if anyone of you experienced article writers would be so kind as to have a read and offer any suggestions/criticisms?
Thanks

PM me if you need another one, Chris. I can't claim to be an experienced article writer but I started on the SSRS path last week and will be climbing the slippery learning curve for the next six months so I have a vested interest.

^{“Write the query the simplest way. If through testing it becomes clear that the performance is inadequate, consider alternative query forms.” - Gail Shaw}

For fast, accurate and documented assistance in answering your questions, please read this article.
Understanding and using APPLY, (I) and (II) Paul White
Hidden RBAR: Triangular Joins / The "Numbers" or "Tally" Table: What it is and how it replaces a loop Jeff Moden

David Burrows SSC Guru Points: 65142 More actions · Answer 5

Jeff Moden (12/17/2013)
Damn... SSRS...

Cursing twice in the same post, shame on you Jeff :w00t:

Now wash your mouth out with soap and say 3 Hail Mary's 😛

Far away is close at hand in the images of elsewhere.
Anon.

Ed Wagner SSC Guru Points: 287026 More actions · Answer 6

mister.magoo (12/17/2013)
Good day Threadizens 🙂
I have written an article (my first) on how to get help with SSRS reports.
It was inspired by Jeff's classic "Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help" - but I am sure not that accomplished.
I was wondering if anyone of you experienced article writers would be so kind as to have a read and offer any suggestions/criticisms?
Thanks

I'd be happy to take a look at it. My perspective would be from now knowing SSRS.

Tally Tables - Performance Personified
String Splitting with True Performance
Best practices on how to ask questions

WayneS SSC Guru Points: 95460 More actions · Answer 7

Ed Wagner (12/16/2013)
WayneS (12/16/2013)
Hehe.
When I built our house, I designed it to use radiant-floor heat. Hot water is heated by an outdoor wood furnace. Gas (propane) range. Only electrical needs are some tiny pumps for moving the hot water through the floor (and from wood furnace to house), and for fridge/freezer. One generator (converted to propane) easily handles all of that. Oh, and the spark igniter for the range.
Now, if I power on all of my computer equipment...
That sounds like a pretty smart design. I take it you must get a few power outages where you are. I don't know what kind of internet service you're going to have in a power outage unless you're on satellite, but hey, you can't have everything when the power's out.
The weather has been pretty crazy so far this ~~winter~~ err...snow season. The next thing we see will be Dwain saying he has snow and Steve posting a picture of a palm tree in his front yard.

My internet is via DSL (phone line) - I've never (knock on wood) had both out at the same time.

Wayne
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008
Author - SQL Server T-SQL Recipes

If you can't explain to another person how the code that you're copying from the internet works, then DON'T USE IT on a production system! After all, you will be the one supporting it!

Links:
For better assistance in answering your questions
Performance Problems
Common date/time routines
Understanding and Using APPLY Part 1 & Part 2

WayneS SSC Guru Points: 95460 More actions · Answer 8

Jack Corbett (12/17/2013)
So is that an automatic standby generator or a portable you need to hook up. I have portable that I have to hook up. It runs the stuff we need no problem (heat, fridge/freezer). I don't have that much computer equipment, but I haven't used it when the generator's been on because the internet was down too so I couldn't work anyway.

For now, it's a portable. Automatic standby is in the future plans.

Wayne
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008
Author - SQL Server T-SQL Recipes

If you can't explain to another person how the code that you're copying from the internet works, then DON'T USE IT on a production system! After all, you will be the one supporting it!

Links:
For better assistance in answering your questions
Performance Problems
Common date/time routines
Understanding and Using APPLY Part 1 & Part 2

Jack Corbett SSC Guru Points: 184394 More actions · Answer 9

WayneS (12/18/2013)
Jack Corbett (12/17/2013)
So is that an automatic standby generator or a portable you need to hook up. I have portable that I have to hook up. It runs the stuff we need no problem (heat, fridge/freezer). I don't have that much computer equipment, but I haven't used it when the generator's been on because the internet was down too so I couldn't work anyway.
For now, it's a portable. Automatic standby is in the future plans.

Yeah, me too. In order to have put in an automatic standby I would have had to have brought in propane in addition to the generator and that all wasn't in the budget, especially since it's usually only a couple of days a year, if that much, that I need it. The portable pretty much paid for itself the first time we were without power for a couple of days and we could keep the food in the fridge. Oh, and have water since we have a well.

Jack Corbett
Consultant - Straight Path Solutions
Check out these links on how to get faster and more accurate answers:
Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help
Need an Answer? Actually, No ... You Need a Question

Luis Cazares SSC Guru Points: 183706 More actions · Answer 10

I just can't understand how people don't realize they need to keep studying to become better professionals. I feel a great satisfaction every time I learn something new (like yesterday when I learned how to create xml format files :-)) and try to practice to improve my skills.

That doesn't seem to be the norm. I've been interviewing people that are over 10 years older than me and seem to don't bother to keep learning. They believe that all those years will make them fool anyone but they just make fools of themselves when they answer questions during interviews that are just bs, but they speak with such confidence that it makes me wonder how thay came up with that.

Thank to all of you guys to help me in my learning path. 🙂

Luis C.
General Disclaimer:
Are you seriously taking the advice and code from someone from the internet without testing it? Do you at least understand it? Or can it easily kill your server?

How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help: Option 1 / Option 2

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 11

Not that I would stoop so low as to beg for votes, but I do need a new costume (Star trek if anyone cares)

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TribalAwardsVoting

😀 :hehe: 😉

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

Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259105 More actions · Answer 12

GilaMonster (12/19/2013)
Not that I would stoop so low as to beg for votes, but I do need a new costume (Star trek if anyone cares)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TribalAwardsVoting
😀 :hehe: 😉

I am ready to stoop so low, so you can vote for me in the category Best New Voice.

😀 😎

Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

Sean Lange SSC Guru Points: 286590 More actions · Answer 13

Koen Verbeeck (12/19/2013)
GilaMonster (12/19/2013)
Not that I would stoop so low as to beg for votes, but I do need a new costume (Star trek if anyone cares)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TribalAwardsVoting
😀 :hehe: 😉
I am ready to stoop so low, so you can vote for me in the category Best New Voice.
😀 😎

Speak up...I can't hear you. 😛

Some of the questions on there are pretty strange.

_______________________________________________________________

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/

Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259105 More actions · Answer 14

Sean Lange (12/19/2013)
Koen Verbeeck (12/19/2013)
GilaMonster (12/19/2013)
Not that I would stoop so low as to beg for votes, but I do need a new costume (Star trek if anyone cares)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TribalAwardsVoting
😀 :hehe: 😉
I am ready to stoop so low, so you can vote for me in the category Best New Voice.
😀 😎
Speak up...I can't hear you. 😛
Some of the questions on there are pretty strange.

You have to be knee-deep into #sqlfamily to know about most nominations.

Being on twitter helps though.

Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 15

Sean Lange (12/19/2013)
Koen Verbeeck (12/19/2013)
GilaMonster (12/19/2013)
Not that I would stoop so low as to beg for votes, but I do need a new costume (Star trek if anyone cares)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TribalAwardsVoting
😀 :hehe: 😉
I am ready to stoop so low, so you can vote for me in the category Best New Voice.
😀 😎
Speak up...I can't hear you. 😛
Some of the questions on there are pretty strange.

They're supposed to be. It's light-hearted with a side of jokes and so are the prizes. The prizes for the 3 categories I've been nominated in are: a megaphone, a couple of drinks, a costume.

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