Desktop

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Bogus Q&A Questions

0 helpful
11 replies

by buffalodan 1 view

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

Are there too many bugus Q&A questions?

Such as:

Tell me in detail about the encoding methods when data is written to a hard drive?

Thats a college level course, asked in one question...

or...

What's the difference between Fat16 and Fat32 and NTFS...

Several chapters in a book I spent $70 for are being asked for in a space of 1930 character's. (get real!!!!)

Are you questioning the technical skills of a community of 1.6 million?

What's the purpose of these questions that cannot be answered completely in the space provided?

11 replies

by buffalodan

Question:

Author: xxxxxx@hotmail.com
Date: 04/26/01 02:57 PM EDT
Status: Answered
Points: 150

hard disk
I want to know which methods are used when the read/write head writes data to the hard disk . i would like to know the methods in detail.

by pjpatiky

Dan - I agree with you that those who Reject all answers, or do not accept any answer are getting their question answered while also not issuing any of their points. To wit: A free ride. A lazy or adolescent practice.
I have found most answers, and especially a group of answers can give excellent advice to any question on the Tech Repblc site.
One time I researched, then rough copied, then smoothed an answer on a paticular difficult question. Along with 3 other good answers we were all Rejected. I sent that person a nice mangerial type email. He was nasty, but he never did that again.

by ebob

I hear ya, Buffalo. You do have to wonder just what this individual is really looking for. I figure it's a free ride and recommend that "we" just ignore questions from this source.

by generalist

If you can't provide a VERY basic explanation of the differences between FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS in 1930 characters, then something is wrong.

Of course if you want a technical description of all three, then it does qualify as a bogus question. (Though you could cheat by providing a basic answer and referring to the $70 book for the technical side.)

I think that we all need to remember that not all people looking at TechRepublic are experienced technical people who know everything about everything. Or even everything about a handful of technical topics.

by toliver

Some people are beginners and I agree with the semibogus person in saying that some of us are just beginners and it helps when someone tries to help. Just think of yourself as a mentor.

by ebob

I think a lot of the problems are an inability to ask questions properly. For example there's a question going now "Excel 2000 Motherboard - Dual CPU" or something to that effect. The question was asked: How do I enable dual CPU support on this motherboard? The first answer was straight to the point and correct (in essence: if this really is M/B and if it really does support dual CPUs then insert 2nd CPU and likely reinstall O/S/ to rebuild HAL).

This answer was rejected.

I figure the problem is really that the question should be: I have a M/B (of some brand) with dual CPUs and want to make sure that Excel 2000 runs with both CPUs. How can I check this? If it is not running on both, then what do I need to do to tell Excel to "smartenup"?

Which is obviously an entirely different question. And had the question been asked correctly in the first place, this person might have gotten an answer that actually addresses the requirements, instead of answers about motherboards.

by weberbaker

You have a good point here. If you don't know the answer, how can you be aware of the fact that it may take more space than allotted?
In cases of questions that cannot be answered in the alloted space, either an email, or a referral to an appropriate source book might be in order; with a statement that the question cannot be answered in 1930 characters.

by epepke

Actually, "read this book" should be a satisfactory answer for any question that cannot be answered briefly.

The questions that amuse me are the ones like "My web page doesn't work. Tell me what's wrong."

by ebob

...a couple of things.

1 - The folks asking these questions are likely not malicious, just "ignorant" (in the strict technical sense of this word). They just don't see the scope of their question, because they don't know squat about the subject (which leads them to ask the question).

2 - I think these people are also "lazy". It seems so simple: ask this grand broad sweeping question, get an answer in 1930 bytes or less. Hungry? Grab a burger at the drive-thru. Had a fight with the wife? it's off to Reno for a quick divorce. Don't like what I heard on the news? Flip the channel and watch Judge Judy. Can't tie my shoes? Buy a pair with Velcro closures. Eee-Zee answers. And a lot of these people have been trained by our modern society to "think" (if you'll pardon the expression) this way is OK.

Well, pardon me. I'm off to Montana to hide in shack until it's all over...

by admin

I think there is a lot of truth in this. The answer often lies in the process of formulating the question properly.
When one starts down the path of a question, they generally can't see the path completely or clearly, and so, must embark anyway if they wish to get anywhere.
Most of answering a question is clarifying the question, which I have noticed you do with skill :)

This discussion is closed to new replies.