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I think the 30 character minimum length is a little harsh. I think you could come up with valid and informative question titles with less than 30 characters. I would like to see a reasonable maximum for question titles though.
Good catch.
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Yes, you can come up with questions shorter than that, but that doesn't mean your question will be well-worded, or worded well enough to want to be answered by someone.
I'm happy to field examples of questions less than, say, 25 characters for which the inclusion of extra characters is painful enough, and will cloud the original question enough, that a shorter limit should be considered.
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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Here is a post which someone tried to make the 30 character minimum. See here.[^]
I saw a question, I think last week sometime, where the poster put a bunch of dots ............. to make up the 30 character minimum.
WPF: Databinding Error (is an example that I just made up that is concise and less than 30 characters long)
Maybe I am looking at this the wrong way but I feel that question titles need to be descriptive, short, and to the point. You don't need to put your life story in a question title...it's the title not the question. The title should get our attention.
The extra characters is not painful, it looks unprofessional and annoying but again that is my opinion.
Just my 2 cents on the subject.
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That example is an excellent example of why a better subject line is needed. "Missing Parameter values" tells me nothing. "Missing Parameter value in Stored Procedure" would have been better. Actually, removing the question would have been better. The poster provided no information and no help to those trying to answer the question.
As I said: yes, it's certainly possible to create a short subject. Is this a competition to do so, or are we trying to encourage members to post well-posed questions?
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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Chris, I don't look at this as a competition. I am all about encouraging members to post well-posed questions...most of them don't and won't.
I actually enjoy editing questions to make them better (when I am lucky enough to get the chance). Thanks for reading my post and getting back to me with your thoughts on the matter.
modified on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 9:44 AM
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Slacker007 wrote: I actually enjoy editing questions to make them better
Then you should be sainted. Thank you. I admit I get frustrated somedays at the state of the interwebz.
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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Chris Maunder wrote: Actually, removing the question would have been better.
I read your post again and I am unclear as to what are the ground rules for removing a question? Obviously, offensive and non-technical questions would be removed but what are the valid reasons for removing a question that is technical yet a bad question? Do we give the OP a chance to improve their question, give it a hundred one-votes and a bunch of critical comments or just delete it and move on?
I am not trying to be difficult here, I really am not. I just want to do the right thing that's all.
Cheers.
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Slacker007 wrote: I just want to do the right thing that's all.
I know
I have a very low tolerance for those who want help but make no effort to help those trying to help them. A question like the one that was posted, along with the discussion, made it feel like pulling teeth trying to get information from the poster about his problem. That's painful and draining and the question should be removed to make way for questions from posters more willing to be involved in the process of getting help.
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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Using Chrome 10.0.648.133, when I enter a Q&A Answer, I don't have the smilies list on the RHS of the textbox any more. I'm pretty sure I used to have them...
Any chance of getting them back? Or added, if it's my memory that is playing tricks on me. 
Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together.
Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."
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It is a known server error, refresh and they should reappear.
------------------------------------
I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave
CCC Link[ ^]
Trolls[ ^]
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Refreshed, CTRL refreshed, new browser instance, new windows startup, new IP, always the same.
I get the smilies for the forums, but not for Q&A answers...
Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together.
Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."
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This seems to be a recurring problem, they come and go randomly. Some days they are there, some days there is a link to them elsewhere, and some days they are completely invisible. 
I must get a clever new signature for 2011.
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OriginalGriff wrote: when I enter a Q&A Answer, I don't have the smilies list
Then don't.
PS: don't blame the browser.
Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles] Nil Volentibus Arduum
Please use <PRE> tags for code snippets, they preserve indentation, improve readability, and make me actually look at the code.
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I wasn't blaming Chrome: just giving (possibly) relevant info - I've had problems with Codeproject/Chrome before. Nothing serious, just oddities.
Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together.
Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."
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I removed them. Emoticons are great for fun social discussions but Questions and Answers is for posting, well, questions and answers, and I can't see the value of having questions filled with smilies and 's.
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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So should they not be removed from the technical forums, and even here, as well?
I must get a clever new signature for 2011.
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That's just Puritanism!
------------------------------------
I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave
CCC Link[ ^]
Trolls[ ^]
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I can see your point regarding questions, but sometimes an answer can use a grin or laugh to ease the bald fact that the OP has missed something obvious.
Anyway, removing the buttons does not stop anyone typing them manually, so it just makes life more awkward, doesn't it? :laugh:
It does seem silly that emoticons don't work at all in comments, but do in the answers that they are a comment on, too.
Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together.
Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."
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OriginalGriff wrote: :laugh:
you just had another smiley failure.
it's intersting to see how laughter fades when tilting ones head.
Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles] Nil Volentibus Arduum
Please use <PRE> tags for code snippets, they preserve indentation, improve readability, and make me actually look at the code.
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Luc Pattyn wrote: it's intersting to see how laughter fades when tilting ones head.
How many letters?
Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together.
Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."
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Turn those frowns upside down!
------------------------------------
I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave
CCC Link[ ^]
Trolls[ ^]
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Griff sneaked in a pair of <i></i> to make that smiley fail!
Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles] Nil Volentibus Arduum
Please use <PRE> tags for code snippets, they preserve indentation, improve readability, and make me actually look at the code.
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Yes, I haven't removed smiley functionality. You may still smile. I'm just not encouraging it.
Smileys in comments mess up the layout. May be a moot point because everyone seems intent on posting code in comments and wanting code formatting maintained - which is totally against the point of comments and Quick Answers. If you have code then edit the incorrect answer with the more correct code, or post your own answer.
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project | Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
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I generally do, but it can get messy: if you refer to another answer you have to be aware that the position may change as a result of voting, so "The answer above" or "The answer below" don't work.
Mostly, I insert the OP comment into the answer I gave and add my response, but even then I have to add a reply to his comment to ensure they are notified of the change.
I am thinking that maybe Q&A needs an overall re-think? It seems to be getting a little confused with all the various ways you can reply to something, and what can or can't be included.
And it still annoys that you can delete an answered question!
Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together.
Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."
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