Read This Before You Ask A Question

Question

In October, 2008, Heidita introduce a question designed to improve the quality of our posts.
What I have done in this entry is to try to capture some of the feedback that resulted from Heidita's original enquiry. I assume full and complete personal responsibility for everything written here. It's my intention to capture the best of what was said and share it with all members.

  Welcome to the forum

Please abide by these guidelines when you post:

Asking a Question using Span¡shD!ct 'Answers'

Here is what you are expected to do for yourself.

After you have taken as many of these steps as you are able, then, if you still need help, proceed to ask your question.

Here are your steps to follow:

• Be sure you have read our Rules and Guidelines
• Enter any single words you are asking about into our dictionary (See the “Dictionary Tab” in the blue Span¡shD!ct menu bar at the top of the page)
• Enter any phrases you are asking about into our translator (See the “Translation Tab” in the blue Span¡shD!ct menu bar at the top of the page)
• Conduct a search of our previous Questions (On the “Answers” main page directly under the green “ASK A QUESTION “button, there is a small window into which you can type the word or words you are searching for)
• Look through the index to our reference material (found here) to see if there is a document or answer that provides the information you are looking for as for example, “para or por”, “ser or estar” “accents over letters”, “how to type Spanish letters and characters ¡ ¿”, “Spanish words indexed by type or kind” and many many more items
• Try a Google search. (Short) phrases should be enclosed in quotation marks for search purposes. If you prefer, use any other search engine.

If these actions by you have not given you the answer you want, then post your question here in our forum.

 

When entering a question in the forum, ..

• Ask in Spanish or English. Spell correctly as best you are able.
• Do not use chatspeak or texting abbreviations.
• Use the best English or Spanish grammar you know.
• Write in complete sentences. Punctuate your sentences properly.
• Capitalize the 1st word of new sentences and other words requiring capitals.
• State what you have already done to help yourself so that no-one else will duplicate your effort.
• Be sure you have clearly asked a question.

After you have done this much for yourself, someone will come by to help you to solve your problem.

 

Post Script

Please fill-in your profile information.
“Click” on your name in the upper right corner of this page.
On the left side of your page, “click” on “Edit My Profile”.
Complete the fields. Don’t forget to complete “About Me”.
This information helps us to personalize our answers to you.

  Please provide any feedback you may have in a "Reply" space below, and I will see it and act on it if appropriate.  

Answer 1

Hi Moe,

This might be a completely crazy idea, but I just had a thought. I think that it is human nature to see a page full of writing and want to bypass it. How many of us bother to read the legal requirements when downloading software? We simply check the box in order to get to what we really want...to use the program. Perhaps the same thing is happening here. People just want to have their questions answered, so they take the easy way out and do their own thing. So here is my idea:

I wonder if Paralee would be willing to video tape a short segment using the materials and suggestions that you and Heidi have set forth. Before attempting to use the forum for the first time, they would be welcomed with a brief video. Maybe, with Paralee actually showing people (with graphics, etc.) what a good post looks like vs. a bad one, it would stick with them. She could also emphasize why it is so very important to use proper spelling, grammar and punctuation due to the fact that this is a learning site. This could be done with a little humor or anything else creative.

Now it is after midnight here and I'm getting tired. So if this sounds crazy, you can chalk it up to lack of sleep. But sometimes I get my best ideas at this time of the night, so I thought I would pass it by you. Let me know what you think.

Thanks, Nicole

Answer 2

Write in complete sentences. Punctuate your sentences properly.

In general, questions about single words can best be answered by consulting the dictionary (except, perhaps, for slang). Phrases (if they're fairly simple, can often be handled by the machine translation but it may be difficult for you to judge if the phrase is "simple").

When the preliminary steps that Moe suggested do not seem to provide an answer (in other words, when you feel the need to seek help in the forum), post (not only) a complete sentence but one with enough context to make clear the meaning of the word/phrase that you are asking about (if you're not sure, when it comes to context, more is better).

We often get questions about word/phrases which can have several meanings (depending on the context). Unfortunately, it often seems that the person asking the question doesn't realize (or hasn't stopped to think) that the same word/phrase can be used with a different meaning.

In the final analysis, it comes down to "the better/clearer the question, the better/more relevant the answer is likely to be.

Answer 3

Up again

Answer 4

To the top of the "Hot" list

Answer 5

Thanks moe, is this the URL/link we are suppose to direct people to if their 'question' appears to be breaking the rules per se? Like if its an obvious homework question or whatever?

cheeseisyumm - Yes, that would work if its what you want to do. People are very delicate. If you refer them here AFTER they have posted a question, they are going to feel rebuked. How can we overcome that? - Moe, Oct 25, 2009

I don't think its possible to overcome that, as you cannot control other peoples feelings. If their skin is too thin, nothing I say will not be taken as offense then. Maybe it is better if i don't say anything.. - cheeseisyummy, Oct 25, 2009

Answer 6

Excellent thread, Moe, great help, I am keeping it for further use.

Please also read this.