Sometimes questions are asked here that don't have enough information to formulate a good answer. It seems to piss people off when I ask for more information or better information.

Well, it's not just me (and I first learned about this issue thirty years ago). When I was recently looking for any background I might be able to find on another thread, [Link: remotecentral.com], I ran across this. Gee, it's not only me telling people their questions need to be better!

The question:

Here's one reply:

edit: added the second part of the title

I don't think it's the fact that you ask for more information. It's your asinine way of asking for more information that bothers people.

When people come onto anothe forum that I frequent. They ask for help but leave out a very important detail... What engine is in their car. I would reply to their question with. "Can you post year/make/model/engine." Not an entire pharagraph onto why providing those important details are needed. No assumptions onto what needs to be done or anything of the sorts.

People forget to provide details, especially those who aren't familiar with the trade. Which is a great deal for people on the car forum. I understand that this forum has people who are in the same field and work it as their full time job. But that does not make them super humans. Yes, providing details can be very helpful, but when forgotten. Bashing the person will only make them, and others, pissed off.

KOT

Some people don't know what to ask OR what's important. Some answer "What kind of car do you have?" with "A blue one".

+1

Right. Your just not playnespokken

I read the title and thought something different.

Good question: "Sir, do you own any firearms?"

Poor question: "So dude, is it okay to keep your daughter out till 3am?"

You know, practical stuff.....


Questions Brendon should be asking ;)

My favorite is when Ernie leaves out details when he asks questions, and people call him out on it. He appears to get pissed and annoyed and makes excuses on why he couldn't provide the info. What's good for the goose....

Ernie. Unless I am missing something please verify your links. The link you posted does not contain the question and reply you quoted. I wanted to know how to block a family members phone from using my network and was mislead by your post. Unaxeceptibell.

The focus is on getting the information to be able to provide the free help that's requested. I guess it's a bit sheldoncooperish (Lord know he's full of flaws, too, though a genius, which I'm not) for me to expect people to learn or retain that focus.


And those are exactly the people who would profit most from the explanation as to why to provide the information. Pros should already know to do so and shouldn't even need a reminder. I suspect that pros get ticked off at being told that they have to do a bit more work crafting the question, when they already know better.


I don't think I'm asking for superhuman behavior from pros who make a living at this stuff. Look at threads: when information is added, solutions are forthcoming.


"Can be very helpful"? That implies that without the details, it's possible to answer the question, but it will be easier with details. What is there about the following question and answer makes it possible to answer, where details would only make it easier?

Details make it possible to answer that.

You imply, too, that I'm constantly writing the equivalent of Weekend Update's famous "Jane, you ignorant slut." I don't think so.

A wise man listens to his critics.

Tom, you ignorant slut.

I wonder why EG didn't respond to your posting goldenzrule? Perhaps because you're right? I have seen some of those threads where he asked a question, yet left the important stuff out. Then when he's called out, all hell breaks loose.

KOT

Thinking about it, I guess in those cases I'm doing what others here do: I'm assuming that the question I'm asking has all the details necessary to supply an answer to my issue. And notice how it bothers you enough to notice it now and remember it!

I have the impression -- I haven't been keeping score -- really, I haven't -- that when you are bothered that I have not provided enough information, I usually have not provided enough information to answer a question that's different from what I'm asking about, a question that you want to answer even though it's not the topic. (For instance, this part of the thread right here.)

What's good for the goose is good for the gander, for sure. But remember that what's good for the goose is good for the goose, too! Don't go off on me and complain about me doing the same thing while acting as if others don't do the same thing. As I said in the first post, it ain't just me. Somehow this thread is now just about me, though.

Maybe it would be best to avoid being too specific when it's not needed. Asking for ways to block use of a WiFi network can be answered in more general terms- it doesn't need to be taken to the molecular level. OTOH, if someone asks about a particular model of router, THAT's the time to be more specific.

+1
The question was :

How do I block my son's phone from using my home WiFi network? Can it be done by blocking the MAC address of my son's phone?

It is a VERY SIMPLE question, that calls for a VERY SIMPLE answer - " YES - it can be done by blocking the MAC address ", why make a mountain out of the molehill ?
Yet, a person who is attempting to answer it talks about "ipv4" ???? and what's even funnier some legal/moral issues ... ,