On 2/24/2011 10:18 PM, Peter Nermander wrote: >> Whilst in theory that is true, in practise (certainly for me) it is not. A >> forum is something I will use to ask a question if I can't find the >> information >> somewhere else and there isn't the option to join a mailing list to ask. > > Well, of course you can use a wrench to hammer a nail, but is it the right > tool? > > The point is that neither the forum nor the mailing list are there for > your ease. They are there for all the members. > > If you just pop in when you need an answer you are not "giving back" > to the community. You are just using it as a "free support". > > When your first post to a forum or mailing list is a question, I think > it's bad netiquette. > > /Peter
Peter, I can appreciate the sentiment you are echoing. In the Delphi forums, at least one of the most frequent guardian angels (in a very real sense) that is very astute and very frequent with helpful solutions has in his signature something to the extent "Don't be a vampire" etc., etc., suggesting that people first try using searches to get their answers. That would definitely be "proper netiquette." However, I would expect that in the vast majority of instances, when a new member or visitor begins using software that they are unfamiliar with, they would hardly be capable of first lurking in wait to offer help with something they are just starting out with. Barry McKenna
