Dani, I think you need to create a sticky post of guidelines before posting. Maybe have it on every forum. This is for the people that put up homework assignments (or any other type for that matter) and want a quick answer without even trying. This forum is about learning, not about doing some else's dirty work.

Sounds like a good idea, but nothing tooooooo heavy, I hope ;-)

I don't think that is needed, for the simple fact that people can learn off from posts the users use to help the user in need of help, so if you wanted to look at it more deeply, people can just lie and say they tryed to look it up, what good will that do ? And secondly I do believe the site admin has posted homework help, and then posted, "Nevermind I looked it up and found it."

I don't know about you or anyone else here, but I tend not to help people on purpose when their post says: I haven't tried to do this problem or solve it. I just want a fast and correct solution and don't want to waste my time because I have better things to do. You on the other hand do. So do it for me.

Now, I'm not like that for everything that I get asked. It all depends on the question. If the solution requires thought, then at least I'd like to at least see some effort. I'm not a snob. But then again, I'm not stupid.


People would learn even more if they at least tried to do it themselves first. Even if they failed at it, they would learn what not to do, and this would be shown on their post by saying what they tried.


Well, when I need help for something that requires thought, like algorithmic, I list what I have tried. Even show some code if I can and pinpoint where I'm stuck at. I think you are right though. You can't stop people from lying. I think it all depends on who posts the solution. If you have time to solve a solution for someone that doesn't want to do it themselves, and not even try, then go for it.

Doesn't have to be tome or anything. Just something simple. Sometimes I read posts, mostly on other forums, and wonder if people have ever posted on a forum before.

I believe thats why we have teachers

Almost all the teachers I know only know theory stuff, and no real world stuff. It's a shame.

Well, I think that everyone should use common sense when posting a question. I see way to many people coming to TechTalk as a first line of defense.

TechTalk isn't a first line of defense at all, its a backup. Do a search on Google, and consult the help files (not in that order) before posting.

If someone posts something like, "I just installed Microsoft word, how do I double space the text?" I won't give them an answer; I will just tell them to consult the inline help.

I took everyone's advice and posted announcements about homework help in the C++, Java, Basic, and Comp. Sci. forums. As far as homework help, I see no reason why it shouldn't be included here at techtalk and I, for one, am more than willing to help.

I understand, however, that it gets very annoying when people post homework questions verbatim and expect a quick solution for an easy A without having the slighest clue what they're doing. As Dan said earlier in this thread, this forum is about learning.

For the most part, homework help should basically be on an abstract, conceptual basis. Don't simply provide code solutions outright for people who don't try at all.

I don't know the questions to ask because I'm trying to learn this for the first time. At 69 years young, I wish to learn how to program in this language. So, please advise.
Thank you,
olman