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We've just done a site update so weirdness would have been expected for a couple of minutes.
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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We could discuss how to better handle QA questions ?
Where, for example, I could suggest using "boilerplate" text, like this, that could be easily pasted into a comment on every elephanting untagged, or stingy-tagged, or, whacko-tagged, new question:
"Please learn how to use Tags when posting a question: it's very easy.
When you select "Ask a Question:" the second text field, with the green Icon, labeled 'Tags, to the left of it, is where you enter key-words, like C#, WinForm, etc.
If you are not sure of the exact spelling of a Tag: don't worry: just type the first few letters in: an auto-complete drop-down appears where you can choose from the available Tags that start with the letters you typed.
As you select appropriate Tags, they are automatically inserted in that second Text field, in a comma-delimited list that might end up looking like: "C#, WinForm, Win7, VisualStudio2012," for example.
The more carefully you add Tags to your question, the higher quality responses you will get, and you'll probably get them more quickly, as well."
As long as I'm thinking of work other people will do, something I am very good at: how about a nice little row of buttons that will paste different types of boilerplate text in a comment ? 
Obvious candidates
Button0 : "We need to see some example of your code (brief, please)"
Button1 : "We don't do homework"
Button2 : "This question is a repost"
Button3 : "Answers to this question can be found easily by searching CodeProject."
Button4 : "This question is posted to the wrong forum. Please post to ... and then delete you question on this forum."
Button5 : "This question has been frequently asked, and answered here: please search CodeProject."
Button6 : "Including long sections of code here, or complete solutions, increases the chance no one will read or respond to your question. Please condense your question into essential elements, and post carefully chosen excerpts from your code that illustrate what the problem is with those essential elements.
Button7 : my little diatribe about tagging above ?
Button 8 : Over to your imagination ...
best, Bill
"There is a computer disease that anybody who works with computers knows about. It's a very serious disease and it interferes completely with the work. The trouble with computers is that you 'play' with them!" Richard Feynman.
modified 5-Sep-12 7:39am.
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I like this  . I'm totally in for the quick-text buttons, I think they may save a lot of time explaining people what they did wrong and why they're suffering the Wrath of the Univoter (EDIT: although I don't think most of them care for any of it).
Full-fledged Java/.NET lover, full-fledged PHP hater.
Full-fledged Google/Microsoft lover, full-fledged Apple hater.
Full-fledged Skype lover, full-fledged YM hater.
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Good idea but I fear that most won't care as they just joined the site to ask a "question" in an effort to get someone to write their code for them. Either that or they want to learn programming one basic question at a time instead of reading a book.
Why is common sense not common?
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level where they are an expert.
Sometimes it takes a lot of work to be lazy
Please stand in front of my pistol, smile and wait for the flash - JSOP 2012
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Yes, sad, but true; however, I want to cut some "cultural slack" here for non-native-English speakers, or people who don't have access to the resources we do (off-line) in other countries.
Perhaps Button #8 should insert more a kind of boilerplate cum template: "It may really benefit you to spend some time getting a solid mastery of "xxx" fundamentals via these books, which are free to view, or download as pdf files, on the web: [insert appropriate links, like to Petzold's on-line book, or AmazingSaint's Blog's free books, etc.] ?
best, Bill
"There is a computer disease that anybody who works with computers knows about. It's a very serious disease and it interferes completely with the work. The trouble with computers is that you 'play' with them!" Richard Feynman.
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I wrote a little SQLCE database app to do just that - it copies to the clipboard, I paste into the answer / question.
It has 44 items in it at the moment - that's a lot of screen real estate for buttons!
Ideological Purity is no substitute for being able to stick your thumb down a pipe to stop the water
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Hi OriginalGriff,
Ah, nice to know one of your secrets ! 
But, please consider tiny buttons, with descriptive hover-over pop-ups.
I think this video best expresses the shock-and-awe fluent-interface experience I would we hope we could attain:[^].
best, Bill
"There is a computer disease that anybody who works with computers knows about. It's a very serious disease and it interferes completely with the work. The trouble with computers is that you 'play' with them!" Richard Feynman.
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BillWoodruff wrote: Ah, nice to know one of your secrets
It's true, I am a very lazy person! So rather than type the same stuff over, and over again, I'd rather write software to do it for me.
For QA particularly, these are the top 5 in my app:
Use the "Improve question" widget to edit your question and provide better information.
Code block added
We do not do your homework: it is set for a reason. It is there so that you think about what you have been told, and try to understand it. It is also there so that your tutor can identify areas where you are weak, and focus more attention on remedial action.
Try it yourself, you may find it is not as difficult as you think!
This is not a good question - we cannot work out from that little what you are trying to do.
Remember that we can't see your screen, access your HDD, or read your mind.
Use the "Improve question" widget to edit your question and provide better information.
DON'T SHOUT. Using all capitals is considered shouting on the internet, and rude (using all lower case is considered childish). Use proper capitalisation if you want to be taken seriously.
Having them preprepared means I don't waste time, and I have a "polite" text that means I don't "accidentally" swear at idiots.
Ideological Purity is no substitute for being able to stick your thumb down a pipe to stop the water
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Had no idea about that! Great stuff, I'll definitely be using it! 
Full-fledged Java/.NET lover, full-fledged PHP hater.
Full-fledged Google/Microsoft lover, full-fledged Apple hater.
Full-fledged Skype lover, full-fledged YM hater.
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So glad you brought this article to my attention; I commented on it today. I assume that as of now this works (injects boilerplate text you select) only when you are composing original forum posts: correct ?
thanks, Bill
"There is a computer disease that anybody who works with computers knows about. It's a very serious disease and it interferes completely with the work. The trouble with computers is that you 'play' with them!" Richard Feynman.
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We have a forum for article mentors so this would mirror that.
Good idea.
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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If you consider this response I just finished (which the process of writing provided an excellent rejuvenation of some of my synaptic webs related to ControlCollections, and run-time adding of Controls)[^]:
The question this raises for me is: in the long-run, are we doing more for CP by functioning as teachers, or by functioning as "answer providers:" when the OP's code shows fundamental mis-understandings.
I am not clear about this within myself: it pleases me to "teach," but, given the rapid turnover in the Lounge, perhaps longer posts, like this one tonight, "submerge," and do not have enduring value ?
While a quick re-write of code, without the didactic element, and without a demand for the OP to "invest" in responding to detailed critique/analysis before replying again with "answers:" has immediate value to the OP, and others ?
One thing I am totally clear about is: I have great respect for many of the dedicated (amazingly prolific) responders to QA questions, who do respond in very different styles !
Viva diversity !
best, Bill
"There is a computer disease that anybody who works with computers knows about. It's a very serious disease and it interferes completely with the work. The trouble with computers is that you 'play' with them!" Richard Feynman.
modified 6-Sep-12 23:41pm.
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I was going to delete a article draft I havent published yet. The trouble was, that in My Article's page there is a delete button, but when I pushed that button, the article didnt get deleted. I popped up again when I refreshed the page.
If I opend the draft, and pushed delete there, I got redirected to a page that said "Do you really want to delete this article?", and then clicked yes It worked as expected.
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From the draft is the intended place to delete the article, with the "Do you really want to delete this article" as the additional step to prevent accidental deletion.
That said, we'll go through the deletion process again to make sure all is well.
Thanks,
Sean Ewington
The Code Project
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Thanks, no big thing, just though I let you know
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For comparison, here[^] is the deleted one.
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This is by no means an isolated incident, and there is not much you can do apart from adding comments and votes with your opinion.
One of these days I'm going to think of a really clever signature.
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Well, you can also report it as being misleading by using the red flag.
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I don't believe it is misleading in that sense; it's just not a very good article.
One of these days I'm going to think of a really clever signature.
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I dont really know C++ well enough to comment on that. You could downvote the article, but you can also flag the article if you find it appropriate, that was my only point
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I agree with you; that is possible on any article awaiting approval. I'm just not sure why Espen has singled this one out when there are plenty of badly written submissions posted here.
One of these days I'm going to think of a really clever signature.
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Quote: Espen has singled this one out
Proberbly becouse a simular article by the same person was deleted before, but that is just my guess.
Quote: is possible on any article awaiting approval
You can do it on published articles also.
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I know the history of this article and I also know how, why and when one can vote. My comment was directed at why Espen has got excited about this particular posting, when so many poorly structured articles still get past the reviewers on a fairly regular basis.
One of these days I'm going to think of a really clever signature.
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