Getting (and giving) Good Answers on XSL-List

I have received several off-list messages complaining about the quality of some 
recent XSL-List postings. After some consideration, I think it may be time to 
remind the list that on a forum like XSL-List both people asking questions and 
those replying have some responsibilities. 

People asking questions have the responsibility to pose questions that:
 
  - are specific enough that answers are possible. Describe what you are 
    trying to do, how you approached it, what happened, and why you 
    don't like the result you got
 
  - provide a concise sample of your data, a concise sample of your XSL
    that demonstrates the problem without showing all the other things you
    may be doing in the same stylesheet, and either providing a short 
    mock-up of the desired result or a description of it. 

  - are clearly described in the subject line
    Good subject lines - those that describe the subject matter of your 
    message - not only increase the chances that you will receive answers 
    to questions or responses to comments, they also make your message 
    and any replies to it accessible in the list archives.

People who answer questions have the responsibility to provide replies that:

  - are polite to the person asking the question (answer or 
    don't answer, but don't belittle the person who asked the 
    question)

  - ensure that any answers provided are correct, or at least 
    a reasonable approach to the problem. If you don't know if your
    idea will work, test it before posting it. Don't guess.


Thank you. 

-- Tommie

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B. Tommie Usdin                        
mailto:btusdin(_at_)mulberrytech(_dot_)com
Mulberry Technologies, Inc.                http://www.mulberrytech.com    
17 West Jefferson Street                           Phone: 301/315-9631 
Suite 207                                    Direct Line: 301/315-9634 
Rockville, MD  20850                                 Fax: 301/315-8285 
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  Mulberry Technologies: A Consultancy Specializing in SGML and XML             
  
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