Homework or not,still help!!

[iisbob]

Lately i've seen a bunch of posts where an individual has posted a question and was rebutted because the individual answering thought they were doing that person's homework for them.

Let's not forget that this is a FORUM;-ie. a meeting place to spread idea's and facts, with the purpose of dissemenating information for the greater good. It is not mine, nor your call, to judge wether or not that a post should be answered based on the merits of it may or may not be homework.

Many a time have i seen an individual ( and some of you who post regularly here now were in this boat ) who has a legitimate question on hardware/software post here with gratitude for the assistance we freely give them-without strings. I enjoy this, and i don't have to do it myself-i get paid quite handsomely to do this in the professional world.

You can't force these people to learn, and by smacking them with a " i won't do your homework " for you attitude you're making a judgement call without all the facts. Did it ever occur to some of you that their homework led then to these forums?!


If you feel that this individual is taking the lazy way out of tryig to find an answer for themselves; then don't post a reply. It's that simple.

You can't make someone learn, but if you provide some direction and peak their curiosity you can interest them in learning-and you will be rewarded with them possibly coming back here to help other folks who've found themselves in simlar situations that person was originally in.

aka. many of you fall into this category, because you were able to be helped here you've returned to help someone else. That's the strength in this forum, we all give without bias help to anyone here who needs it-be it student or average home user.





------------------
iisbob
""I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't know."
Mark Twain

[Paleo Pete]

I've noticed a few replies to topics that people felt were homework questions recently that were handled in a less than dipomatic manner, shall we say, but...

Generally the position of the forums is we do not do peoples' homework for them. I personally will say so and give them links to search engines, or specific sites where they can do the actual research.

I still do not do their homework for them, I found out long ago that people do not learn unless they do the work themselves.

In a couple of cases I have also seen questions that I did not feel were homework related, and I hope I did not anger anyone by disputing their judgement. I usually seem to have an instinct for homework questions, but of course I'm not perfect, so I'm sure I make a bad call now and then.

The general policy of the forums has always been to offer some links to point the person in the right direction, but let them do the actual research themselves. Handing them the answer on a platter does not help them at all.

I stand behind the people on these forums, by not answering homework questions they are following guidelines I set long ago, and I support them fully. But I do also hope they think twice and type once, handle the situations diplomatically, and try not to be gruff about it.

------------------
Support the right to keep and arm bears.
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.dreamwater.com/paleopete/computer.htm) has been moved, please update your bookmarks.

[iisbob]

Excellant points Pete, and maybe it's just me reading too much into their postings.

I don't believe in doing anyones'homework for them either-but i don't think that we should jump the gun without knowing for certain that this poster was " lazy ".

It's always difficult in situations like the forums to be certain of how or why the info is being offered/asked. You try your best to be helpful-and hope you're doing the right thing. Your being moderator makes it even more difficult for you to decide wether to let these type of possible " lazy " posts exist.

I've seen here on numerous occasions when the poster, with just a little effort, could have searched the forums ( or Charle's site ) and gotten an answer to their question-sometimes it feels as if we're repeating ourself's
adnauseum. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif






------------------
iisbob
""I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't know."
Mark Twain

[Ghost_Hacker]

I've seen here on numerous occasions when the poster, with just a little effort, could have searched the forums ( or Charle's site ) and gotten an answer to their question-sometimes it feels as if we're repeating ourself's adnauseum.

Yep...if you added up all the post that answer the "how come I can't see this on the network?" question. You should be able to troubleshoot any network communication problem http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif


Oh well......

[andyswork@beci.net]

About a year ago I got my first computer. Just barely knew how to turn it on. Because of all of you here I have learned alot. My mind,eyesight,and everything else is not what it use to be. I try and look for sites that will help me with my many problems, but sometimes can not find what I need to know. It amazes me where all of you come up with all those links. I have done search after search and could not find what I needed, and then posted it on the forums, and low and behold here came a link that some how I had missed. This also happens, you get the right link and are very confused on what it is trying to tell you, again you all to the rescuse, explaining it so I can understand. I just hope you all do not just give up on people like me and ignore my questions. I still have alot to learn, so help us rookies out. I will be posting about 5 problems that I have been working on with out any results, working on them for quite a while. My many thaks to all of you, and keep up the good work.

------------------
One day I will be a pro, Thanks Andy

[sea69]

quote by Pete: The general policy of the forums has always been to offer some links to point the person in the right direction, but let them do the actual research themselves. Handing them the answer on a platter does not help them at all.


me too.

Andy- you are learning and doing a good job!

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif


------------------
sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)

[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 12-10-2001).]

[Randy_tx]

The bottom line is this .......If I am going to have a resentment about doing someone's homework for them [or I suspect I'm doing it for them]....I can just CHOOSE NOT TO REPLY...as iisbob already stated! I have been guilty of "playing parent" on here in the past and won't do it again!

------------------
Will XP save Me ?

[sea69]

on a different note:

Hey Randy!!

good to see your'e still around.

How do you like our east coast weather??

lotts of fun huh ??

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif



------------------
sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)


;)~