4 ms·

Then how would you ever learn? I don't know if you've ever spent time looking for questions to answer on SO. Before weighing in on the climate, please do so. Y

by oauea 7y ago

Then how would you ever learn? I don't know if you've ever spent time looking for questions to answer on SO. Before weighing in on the climate, please do so. You'll encounter an absolutely shocking amount of utterly stupid questions. Yes, I know, stupid questions supposedly don't exist. Judge for yourself after spending an hour looking at the new queue for PHP and JavasScript questions. Once you've done this, and still think the experience for new users should be made better, I commend your kindheartedness and patience.

mushufasa 7y ago
I'm not suggesting encouraging stupid questions. I'm suggesting that you can minimize the emotional impact of public shaming to newbies through progressive ui design, while keeping the same high standards for content. And also auto-suggesting documentation for newbies exactly so they can learn.
- olooney 7y ago
  Right. "Closed as Duplicate" could be renamed "Great Question! We have an answer for you over here!" without change in functionality and it would be an improvement. They could take it further and keep the duplicate as a "rephrasing" or "alternative statement" of a question - shouldn't it improve Google search-ability, having several different ways stating a question? And asking a duplicate question in your own words shouldn't be penalized; it is, prima facae, both a good and frequently asked question. It would be so easy to make the question-asking experience better for the vast majority of users... and yet they don't.
pugworthy 7y ago
Down votes mean nothing - they are simply someone saying, "WRONG!" with no explanation of why. As such there is really not much of an opportunity to learn. Well, beyond not coming back. Imagine though if they had some kind of coaching system based on down votes. If you get no response or get negative on your early posts, you get a private (automated) message with helpful tips. Better yet, you get a link to a SO question that goes something like, "My question is not getting any answers, what can I do to improve it?" or "My question got down voted a lot, what can I do to improve it?"

by oauea 7y ago

mushufasa 7y ago

I'm not suggesting encouraging stupid questions. I'm suggesting that you can minimize the emotional impact of public shaming to newbies through progressive ui design, while keeping the same high standards for content. And also auto-suggesting documentation for newbies exactly so they can learn.

olooney 7y ago
Right. "Closed as Duplicate" could be renamed "Great Question! We have an answer for you over here!" without change in functionality and it would be an improvement. They could take it further and keep the duplicate as a "rephrasing" or "alternative statement" of a question - shouldn't it improve Google search-ability, having several different ways stating a question? And asking a duplicate question in your own words shouldn't be penalized; it is, prima facae, both a good and frequently asked question. It would be so easy to make the question-asking experience better for the vast majority of users... and yet they don't.

pugworthy 7y ago

Down votes mean nothing - they are simply someone saying, "WRONG!" with no explanation of why. As such there is really not much of an opportunity to learn. Well, beyond not coming back. Imagine though if they had some kind of coaching system based on down votes. If you get no response or get negative on your early posts, you get a private (automated) message with helpful tips. Better yet, you get a link to a SO question that goes something like, "My question is not getting any answers, what can I do to improve it?" or "My question got down voted a lot, what can I do to improve it?"