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- Feb 5, 2010
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I've spent some time reviewing a lot of questions from a lot of posters, and I have developed a bit of a theory that you can boil most of the questions asked down to a few basic higher level questions (which I will call meta-questions). Here is a partial list of the meta-questions I see most often.
1) How can I make it cheaper?
Honestly this seems to be the most frequently asked meta-question. This question tends to be asked by a hobbyist or a newbie who has no experience with the tools or materials. It can also be asked by intermediate level users who are trying some new and unfamiliar process, or even advanced members looking to reduce the cost of their product. Often this question reveals a willingness to trade quality for cost savings.
2) How can I make it easier?
The majority of the times I see these questions it is from intermediate users who are looking for shortcuts and "pro tips". Sometimes even the more experienced makers will ask this sort of question, if they are looking for ways to increase output. I see this question frequently displaying a willingness to trade quality for time/effort.
3) How can I make it better?
This question shows up less often, unless you count the newbie posts asking for "constructive criticism" that they may not really want. Apart from those, this is most often asked by intermediate makers who see others doing things better and want to improve their quality. This sort of question, to me, always seems to indicate someone who seeks to avoid quality compromises, and is intent on producing the best they can, whatever their current skill level may be.
As you might have guessed, when I encounter questions that fit within these meta-questions, I make certain assumptions about the person asking the question. At times I also develop certain attitudes that affect how I answer the questions. I suspect I am not alone in that.
For me the most annoying questions are the ones that seek to trade quality for cost or time. I equate them to something like "How can I make money without working hard?" or "How can I make something crappy that will sell?" I know that's not usually what they REALLY mean, but that's how the questions strike me.
For me the most interesting questions are aligned with meta-question 3. I'm always more receptive to people looking to make things better, and will usually go out of my way to hep (free supplies, pointers to authoritative information, or just quick suggestions).
Do you find yourself analyzing the questions this way? Or is this just an offshoot of my chosen career in computers (and computational ways of thinking)?
1) How can I make it cheaper?
Honestly this seems to be the most frequently asked meta-question. This question tends to be asked by a hobbyist or a newbie who has no experience with the tools or materials. It can also be asked by intermediate level users who are trying some new and unfamiliar process, or even advanced members looking to reduce the cost of their product. Often this question reveals a willingness to trade quality for cost savings.
2) How can I make it easier?
The majority of the times I see these questions it is from intermediate users who are looking for shortcuts and "pro tips". Sometimes even the more experienced makers will ask this sort of question, if they are looking for ways to increase output. I see this question frequently displaying a willingness to trade quality for time/effort.
3) How can I make it better?
This question shows up less often, unless you count the newbie posts asking for "constructive criticism" that they may not really want. Apart from those, this is most often asked by intermediate makers who see others doing things better and want to improve their quality. This sort of question, to me, always seems to indicate someone who seeks to avoid quality compromises, and is intent on producing the best they can, whatever their current skill level may be.
As you might have guessed, when I encounter questions that fit within these meta-questions, I make certain assumptions about the person asking the question. At times I also develop certain attitudes that affect how I answer the questions. I suspect I am not alone in that.
For me the most annoying questions are the ones that seek to trade quality for cost or time. I equate them to something like "How can I make money without working hard?" or "How can I make something crappy that will sell?" I know that's not usually what they REALLY mean, but that's how the questions strike me.
For me the most interesting questions are aligned with meta-question 3. I'm always more receptive to people looking to make things better, and will usually go out of my way to hep (free supplies, pointers to authoritative information, or just quick suggestions).
Do you find yourself analyzing the questions this way? Or is this just an offshoot of my chosen career in computers (and computational ways of thinking)?
