Stack Overflow trials question templates; hugely improves question quality
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Stack Overflow has recently introduced a question template for low-rep users, adding in a bunch of HTML comments directing the asker on what content to include in their question. It's a model you might've seen before when opening issues on some public repos on GitHub.
Naturally, they've been a huge success. The template questions (like "What are you trying to accomplish? (Please include sample data.)") are totally applicable to all possible kinds of questions you might want to ask, and all askers have followed them and produced clear, useful questions, like this one:
In case you're wondering, here's the underlying markdown.
<!-- What are you trying to accomplish? (Please include sample data.) --> I want an email server. <!-- Paste the part of the code that shows the problem. (Please indent 4 spaces.) --> My friends say "Qui Gen, you need an email server so you cannot have your emails taken from you". What is a best way to set up an email server. <!-- What do you expect the result to be? --> I have emails I can send with email server. <!-- What is the actual result you get? (Please include any errors.) --> I would like to be able to make email server.
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Hmm; I think I put this in the wrong category. Don't seem to be able to change it now. Oh well!
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@cabbage said in Stack Overflow trials question templates; hugely improves question quality:
My friends say "Qui Gen, you need an email server so you cannot have your emails taken from you"
Qui Gen needs better friends.
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@kian said in Stack Overflow trials question templates; hugely improves question quality:
Qui Gen needs better friends.
Anyways, what's a dead Jedi need with an email server?
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@cabbage said in Stack Overflow trials question templates; hugely improves question quality:
The template questions (like "What are you trying to accomplish? (Please include sample data.)") are totally applicable to all possible kinds of questions you might want to ask
Considering what kinds of questions the self-selected SO moderators allow on their premises, yes they are.
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@cabbage Eh, it doesn't really seem like a bad question to me (everyone has to start somewhere, but most don't remember it), though it doesn't fit the Stack Overflow model. An answer I would give to someone like that would be to start reading a page like http://aurellem.org/free/html/email.html. Naturally, it will lead to more questions, but it's a place to start.
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@cabbage Welcome back, lurker!
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@cabbage said in Stack Overflow trials question templates; hugely improves question quality:
Hmm; I think I put this in the wrong category. Don't seem to be able to change it now. Oh well!
If you report your post a mod will complain about having to do work, just for you.