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Dalek Dave wrote: being too pedantically
FTFY
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DAMN!
------------------------------------
I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave
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That's by design.
I'm not claiming it's a good design, but I liked the symmetry.
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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Really?
I thought it used to be different, hmm my memory must be fading again 
But I'll accept the 'by design' answer in this case
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In the reputation FAQ, many items list "0" as the points required. I realize it also says "Please note that the "Points Needed" column is merely a placeholder for now." However, I think negative infinity ("-∞") would be more appropriate for most of those rows. After all, a member doesn't suddenly lose the ability to gain points once they are in the negative (when they need that ability most).
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...or I could just leave it blank.
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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It would have to be blank in order to leave it blank. If you're going to go through all the trouble of making it blank just to leave it blank, you might as well leave it as negative infinity.
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When I try to post this text:
How are you accessing the main instance of MainPage? I suspect it is set to null.
As an answer to this question, I get a white page that says:
Error: Exception of type 'System.OutOfMemoryException' was thrown.. Ticket: 2368768. Server: Web17
Looks like the answer posted though.
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Web17 again, eh?
I had it removed from the cluster and then while updating a couple of the newer servers added it back in to take some load.
I've removed it again. It doesn't get a second chance.
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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It probably didn't remember the last time you removed it.
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It will.
And so will the other servers. 
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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String it up in the rack as a warning to others!!
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J (Men in Black) said: You know the difference between you and me? I make this look good. 
*flash*
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I'm going to term it the JSOP filter.
There's a lot of developers / learners that seem to struggle with posting a question and not showing sufficient detail to prove to us that it's not homework or laziness. I would imagine that for some of our more esteemed members, visiting these areas on a daily basis in the hope of offering some help that it gets quite frustrating and difficult to distinguish the honest from the lazy.
When creating a new Q&A post, how about a checkbox or radiogroup that offers some very general options as to what you're trying to ask. On checking/selecting the option, a basic template is populated in the textbox that they can fill out, ie.
Hi All,
I have the following code/problem;
<ADD YOUR QUESTION/PROBLEM HERE>
I've tried to write this myself;
<YOUR CODE SO FAR>
But I've not had much luck in getting this to work.
<ADD YOUR ACTUAL QUESTION/PROBLEM HERE>
Thank-you for your time
I understand that sometimes, English is the barrier, but maybe if the guidance is there some people won't have to be schooled on how to ask a question. I was thinking of making this a comical suggestion in the Lounge for JSOPs benefit, but I actually think this is worthy of bringing up.
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Keep the title brief
Keep the question as brief as possible.
If you have to include code, include the smallest snippet of code you can.
Do you expect this to stimulate good questions? I copied it verbatim from the legend on the "Ask a Question" page.
IMO changing the legend (to something more in line with the stickies on programming forums) is the first step.
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I don't know about stimulating good questions. It's clear that some people just don't read the BIG notices or the subtle comments. Maybe being asked to enter their question following a guideline would at least help those that genuinely struggle to compose their question stand out from the lazy.
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I admire your optimism that offenders will take the time to read those posts.
It is misguided, though. Sorry.
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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I am fully aware not everyone is reading the instructions. That is however no excuse for providing poor instructions. Not in the forums, and not in Q&A.
When questions can't be answered by lack of information, do you expect us to keep asking for more explanation, more contextual information, more code, while the instructions point in the other direction?
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The instructions are there specifically to stop people dumping their entire code file into a forum, or worse, their entire homework question.
For Q&A we're thinking a wizard interface may be better. For forums: I'm loathe to put in custom code to pre-populate with a template just for questions, just in the programming fora. What about if someone asks a question in the lounge, or an article?
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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For Q&A, there is a big gap between "as brief as possible. If you have to ..., the smallest snippet of code you can" and "don't dump all of it here". You make it sound as if every word is costing money, and code snippets are to be avoided. Do you really want to turn this site in codetwitter?
I made it a habit to limit the length of my replies to the length of the question, When essential information is missing, I'm not elaborating "if you meant A, then do this; if you meant B, then do that; otherwise, try yet something else. Maybe ..." So shorter questions, shorter and less useful answers, fewer satisfied users. And with the absence of a descent dialogue possibility (a forum to each answer, still in the works?) it does not work well at all.
For the forums, I don't have such problem. The instructions are worded much better, plus people are more used to the way they are supposed to operate. Furthermore the layout is better overall: one sees example threads before setting out to ask a question, and as a potential replier one has a better view of what others have already replied.
PS: I don't think there is anything new in the above, I summarized my comments on Q&A six months ago, and nothing much has changed since.
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Luc Pattyn wrote: You make it sound as if every word is costing money
I think that's an unfair assessment, and there is, as you put it, a big gap between "every word" and "1000 lines of code".
You're unique, Luc, and the message in the forums and Q&A is not directed at you.
I stand by my claim that those who abuse the goodwill of the community will not bother reading - let alone abising by - guidelines, and that the best way to couter this is to allow the community to neaten things up a little, or at worst, remove or hide anything written by someone clearly not interested in making it easy for others to help them.
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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yes, the community can neaten things up, and/or remove something; I fail to see how they can add relevant but missing information when the OP is instructed to be as brief as possible.
For those who don't read instructions, it does not matter what is in them; for those who do, I would like the instructions to be fairly accurate.
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Luc Pattyn wrote: IMO changing the legend is the first step.
But that's assuming I want to change...
.45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly
-----
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
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"The staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - J. Jystad, 2001
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Obviously I meant changing for the better, so it doesn't apply to you.
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I'm curious to know if this information is available to the person being downvoted.
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