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UBC Mathematics: MathNet FAQ [How to ask a question]
UBC Mathematics: MathNet FAQ [How to ask a question]
Question: How do I ask a question the smart way?
Author: Eric S. Raymond, J. Tam (prepatory statements)
Date: Nov 4, 2012 (this FAQ, not reference document)
This FAQ is unusual in several respects: it is not written by a member
of our department, it's rather long (but worth reading), and the tone
is sarcastic, rude, or arrogrant at times, so don't take it personally.
Not all parts of this writeup are relevant for this FAQ.
The gist of the writeup is that you need to help us answer your
question by investing time into how you ask your question. I frequently
find that if you spend time asking the right question, you won't have to
ask it because the answer is then obvious. In particular, be concise
as to what your problem is: add relevant details, but leave
out fluff. Look for more readily available sources of information,
like Google or online documentation.
The direct link is
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html.
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