Re: The Q&A section: Teach a man to fish.

Let's try to make the Q&A section one of the most useful places in the Monastery.

While I appreciate the sentiment, I really don't think that's doable. Yes but... yes... yes... but... hold on. Just let me explain myself.

The problem with Q & A is that it is essentially static. Most questions are asked repeatedly, and most of the time, we could just link to answers someone else has already posted, but that's not what this site is about.

Perl Monks is about the conversations. And the conversations primarily occur in Seekers of Perl Wisdom, Meditations, and here in Perl Monks Discussion.

I think the Q & A is relatively incomplete and rarely used simply because people don't really want to use it. Add to it and point people at it all you like; but it'll probably remain a small and dusty corner of this site because it has all the appeal of a FAQ and people are looking for dialogue.

-sauoq
"My two cents aren't worth a dime.";

Comment on Re: The Q&A section: Teach a man to fish.

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Re: Re: The Q&A section: Teach a man to fish. by davido (Cardinal) on Oct 26, 2003 at 05:58 UTC
I agree with what you're saying re: dialogue. ...here I am now participating in Yet Another Dialogue. Dynamic dialog is enjoyable (usually). So I'm not suggesting that Q&A become a replacement for SoPW, but rather, that it receive more use as a source of additional information. If a dialogue dances around an issue that has a parallel to, or even just a contrast with, something in the Q&A section, the Q&A section can stand as "additional reading". And the more questions and answers posted to Q&A, the greater chance that section has at providing additional information that can cast a different light on an ongoing discussion. As for its static nature relegating it to life as a dusty corner, the same could be said of the perldocs themselves. And yet I find myself frequently looking at perlfaq (for starters) and the rest of the POD as well. This is a practice that we encourage. My suggestion is that we encourage the use of whatever resource will prove to be helpful. And while we're at it, to not forget about the dusty corners. ;) Dave "If I had my life to live over again, I'd be a plumber." -- Albert Einstein	[reply]
Re: Re: The Q&A section: Teach a man to fish. by Anonymous Monk on Oct 26, 2003 at 05:03 UTC
Unfortunately, I agree with sauoq. Most people don't want answers to old questions that have been asked and answered numerous times. They want answers to their new questions. This is hardly a new observation of human nature: `Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens we have to keep going back and beginning all over again. -- Andre Gide (Le Traite du Narcisse, 1891)` [download]	[reply] [d/l]
Re: Re: Re: The Q&A section: Teach a man to fish. by davido (Cardinal) on Oct 26, 2003 at 05:20 UTC
It is a monk's challenge to rise above the perils of human nature. grin Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. -- George Santayana Dave "If I had my life to live over again, I'd be a plumber." -- Albert Einstein	[reply]