<VV> I suggest we do NOT always provide answers... but rather; we teach where to find the information. was: Books

[J R Read_HML]

Joe,

A newbie (and some not so newbies) will be easily overwhelmed by 2,546 
responses when they are only looking for one.

Attachments (if any) are scanned with anti-virus software.

Later, JR

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe West" <joew at diveaz.com>
To: "VV" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Friday, October 14, 2005 10:16 AM
Subject: <VV> I suggest we do NOT always provide answers... but rather; we 
teach where to find the information. was: Books


> All,
>
> Probably no surprise to anyone that I would feel this way, but sometimes 
> it
> is better to teach people where to find the answers rather than give them
> the answers to their questions.
>
> There is simply no need for *anyone* to keep providing the same answers to
> the same questions day after day after day.  It IS a waste of time... when
> the answers to the most commonly asked questions already exist.
>
> Time is the most precious commodity that any of us have... whether we
> realize it or not.  This majordomo is a GREAT resource, but... if a 
> question
> has already been asked and answered dozens or hundreds of times... for
> crying out loud; TELL THE PERSON ASKING THE QUESTION WHERE TO FIND THE
> ANSWER.... if the source of the answer isn't easily accessible (such as 
> the
> answer lies in a book the person asking the question doesn't own), provide
> them the answer and recommend that they purchase the book for future
> questions.
>
> If the answer lies in our archives... point them to the archives and let
> them find the answer.
>
> Or...
>
> If you are a retired person who has all the time in the world to answer 
> the
> same question over and over; go ahead and respond with the answer if you
> have the time.
>
> My point is this:
>
> With so many resources available, it is always a better idea to tell 
> people
> asking questions where they might find the answer in addition to (or in
> place of in the case of our archives) providing them the answer.
>
> I would LOVE to see everyone who posts a question to this majordomo... 
> start
> their email with the following:
>
> "I've checked the archive, but I can't find the answer there so..."
>
> There will be people who don't know about the archive... but sooner or
> later, the vast majority of people will know because of my:
>
> "You'll find 2,546 responses to (insert subject here) at the following
> location http://www.virtualcorvairclub.com/(insert thread search here)"
>
> I'll take care of the ignorance concerning the archive... and thereafter 
> it
> is simply laziness if people don't take the time to do a simple search
> rather than ask the same old questions over and over.
>
> And for those of you who think it is perfectly okay not to teach people 
> how
> to find information themselves... consider that seeing the same old
> questions day after day after day does NOTHING more than drive the experts
> we have on this group away.
>
> Joe West
> Administrator
> http://www.virtualcorvairclub.com
>
> -- 
> "Cruising is to motorcycling what Etch-a-Sketch is to art."
>
>
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