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DON'T ASK TO ASK, JUST ASK

Every now and then, in online chat rooms I hang around in, someone pops in and
says something in the lines of,

> Foobar123:
> 
> Any Java experts around?

This is bad form, for several reasons. What the person is actually asking here
is,

> Foobar123:
> 
> Any Java experts around who are willing to commit into looking into my
> problem, whatever that may turn out to be, even if it's not actually related
> to Java or if someone who doesn't know anything about Java could actually
> answer my question?

There are plenty of reasons why people who DO have the knowledge would not admit
to it. By asking, you're asking for more than what you think you're asking.

You're asking people to take responsibility. You're questioning people's
confidence in their abilities. You're also unnecessarily walling other people
out. I often answer questions related to languages or libraries I have never
used, because the answers are (in a programmer kind of way) common sense.

Alternatively, it can be seen as..

> Foobar123:
> 
> I have a question about Java but I'm too lazy to actually formalize it in
> words unless there's someone on the channel who might be able to answer it

..which is just lazy. If you're not willing to do the work to solve your
problem, why should we?

The solution is not to ask to ask, but just to ask. Someone who is idling on the
channel and only every now and then glances what's going on is unlikely to
answer to your "asking to ask" question, but your actual problem description may
pique their interest and get them to answer.

So, to summarize, don't ask "Any Java experts around?", but rather ask "How do I
do [problem] with Java and [other relevant info]?"

Other similar problems: The XY Problem, No Hello. Further reading: How do I ask
a good question?, or if you have more time: How To Ask Questions The Smart Way.

Content mostly stolen from iki.fi/sol/dontask.html - Source on GitHub