Lazy Answering

[Mr.Ix]

Can we put a stop to people answering questions with just a link to another website? Firstly its lazy. Secondly, I thought by the name of this site that it is a repository of questions and answers. If the answers are only available as links to other sites then what happens if 6 months down the line, those sites become defunct? You then have a question without an answer. I understand that sometimes an answer may be complex and then a link for further info is useful, but I would like to see the "nutshell" of the answer actually on the site in the first instance. On a number of occasions I have delved into Answerbanks past to look at an older question to find a dead link. Just a thought

[Quizmonster]

It's not lazy. If someone takes the trouble to find an appropriate web-page that answers the given question...often far more succinctly and authoritatively than the answerer him/herself may be capable of doing...why not make use of the facility?

If you have truly found dead links and you are genuinely interested in finding an answer to the matter in question, why not just post it as a question yourself? Then, someone may come up with a different but equally effective link to yet another web-page.

Basically, you should answer questions in your way and leave others to answer them in theirs. I frequently use the technique you criticise and have often been thanked for my trouble, so the method is approved of by many. Cheers

[Mr.Ix]

Aplogies. No offence was intended. I merely meant that the nature of this site, to my eyes, is a resource to find a question and to see the answer. Quite apart form the fact that my antiquated PC is tempremental when opening links, I think it would be nice to see at least the framework of the answer actually on Answerbank. As I said, I have no problem with links as additional information. My problem is with the people who just post the link as theior answer. With regard to the the "posting the question yourself" suggestion, wouldn't this cause even more duplicates of the same question. Another common problem on here? As I say. No offence was meant. I just feel that posting a link to information that may not be there in a few months is a shame.

[smudge]

Mr.Ix - Not everyone using AnswerBank has the knowledge of how to retrieve useful information from the Internet, so reply users who do so are not being lazy, they're just being helpful.

 

Also, if on looking back through the archives, you do find a site is 'defunct', post the question on here & if people say it's been asked before, then you can simply explain why you are asking again.

[Mr.Ix]

Okay, Okay I retract the Lazy comment. But why can't you appreciste that from this website's point of view, that it it surely better to have the answer actually on this website than have it's users redirected to other sites? I am NOT saying , lets stop these links. I am merely saying, why can't a basic form of the answer be written on this site, with a link if necessary to provide further info. It doesn't take much to crib together the basis of an answer from any link to post. Why is this such a bad idea? And again smudge, your suggestion of posting another question even knowing its a duplication, and to justify the duplication is surely not addressing the problem, merely masking it and creating more work.

[Robinia]

I have to agree with Quizmonster - I often add a link as well as an answer, especially where a long detailed reply is required & I'm unsure of how to put some points accross.  Recently I needed help regarding garden design ideas & someone kindly posted loads of links which I never would have found.  Sometimes all I ever find are the same old sites time & time again & it's nice to see something different. 

[Mr.Ix]

Aarrrrggg!   For the final time. I am not sayiong Links are bad! Just answers that are just links   and only then in certain circumstances.   Sheesh, ever get the feeling you hadn't bothered?

[smudge]

Surely you are contradicting yourself Mr.Ix, as you're now saying "Why can't a basic form of the answer be written on this site, with a link if necessary to provide......". This is precisely what AB users do do. It's not always possible to explain answers fully on AB & is easier & quicker to post a link.

I really can't see a problem with the answers from Quizmonster or myself. 'Seek & you shall find' - if not - ask again, is all that I'm saying.

[Mr.Ix]

Right. My question was: Can we put a stop to people answering questions with just a link to another website? I am not having a pop at people who write a basic answer with an additional link. I am not having a pop at Quizmonster or yourself smudge as i know that youi dont do this. I am just suggestion that an answer to a question that is solely a link could be detrimental to the site if that link become defunct. If I may quote you smudge. "Surely you are contradicting yourself Mr.Ix, as you're now saying "Why can't a basic form of the answer be written on this site, with a link if necessary to provide......". I am not now saying this. I said this in my first post.  This is precisely what AB users do do. No,not all of you do  It's not always possible to explain answers fully on AB & is easier & quicker to post a link. I am not asking for a full explanation. Just  something in addition to just a link I really can't see a problem with the answers from Quizmonster or myself. 'Seek & you shall find' - if not - ask again, is all that I'm saying. So in this case a Duplicate question is ok?

[smudge]

If you re-read the answers from Quizmonster, noddy & myself,  they all relate to the same thing. Perhaps we are all wrong & sorry I couldn't have helped you further.

[Mr.Ix]

Maybe YOU should re read my question, as you seem to be answering a different question.

[smudge]

I HAVE read your question twice, so please don't get snotty with people who ARE genuinly trying to help you.

 

If three users answers are of the same 'ilk', but are not to to your satisfaction - then why don't bother asking in the first place?

 

Have a nice day.

[smudge]

*delete the don't

[SteveD]

I agree in full with Quizmonster, smudge and noddy.  Many of the answers which I have given on Answerbank contain a link and minimal text.  The links are often the result of considerable time spent searching and have given, I believe, an adequate answer to the question.

 

A picture is worth a thousand words.

[smudge]

Thanks Steve, I was beginning to wonder if it was me!

[Kerplunk]

http://www.wordreference.com/definition/lazy

[Mr.Ix]

For petes sake, I am not suggestion we dont use links. How many more times? If my original suggestion was not clear then I apologise. My point was against an answer consisting of JUST a link. No text,  no basic answer JUST a link. I know you don't do it, but it does happen. Smudge - Why are you being like that? I was just making a suggestion as the topic states. I shant bother in future if its going to be met with this level of rigidity.

[Bangkok]

Mr.Ix, don't be disheartened, a lot of people put a lot of effort into this site, and don't like inplied criticisms, even well meaning questions.  Everyone seems to agree a link and covering note is a good thing.  Those posting to your question provide first rate information and possibly felt annoyed at the word lazy, which I note you retracted.  I'm not sure how long you have been posting, as I joined a few months ago, but have not seen your name before.  However, personal or aggressive postings quickly and unnecessarily get out of hand.  I understand your frustration at dead links, but you can play around with the main text of the link to find the homepage, or re-ask the question (with an explanation, or someone will point you back to the original with a 'did you not read' type post)

[Mr.Ix]

Thank you Bankok,

You are correct in that I am not criticising those poster above. I was just making a suggestion as the Thread title invites us to do.

All I was trying to do was to make this site a little tidier. I am very active on another website and a large part of it has a forum to suggest ways to improve or tweak bits. I'm not for one minute saying I'm right, and I think the main reason for the tone of this thread is entirely my fault for using the term Lazy, which I regret.

I have been a member on Answerbank for about a year but my previous incarnation was Mrixolite, which for some reasson got deleted along with all my responses.

Thanks for posting.

[smudge]

Mr.Ix - You only have to look at the heading of your question to see that you started off on the wrong footing. I was being polite & helpful until you began shouting at us & I'm not responding any further. We tried to be helpful, but it fell on deaf ears.

 

As I said earlier - 'Have a nice day'.

[bernardo]

If I do a link to somewhere, I usually put a brief sentence or two to sum up the basic answer.  I agree with the first sentence of the original question, but I'm too lazy to indulge in arguing about all the stuff that the rest of you have been arguing about.  :-)