Should users on Askville post entire articles as answers or should they edit them to include only relevant information?

Whenever I'm asked to vote on answers, I give low ratings to users who simply paste entire copied articles or websites without editing out the information that is not relevant to the question. I see it so often, though, I wonder if I'm wrong for me to judge them harshly.Is there a reason that people here do that? Is it actually considered good form to include all the information from the sourced site, even if it some of it doesn't directly answer the question?

That is a big faux pas on Yahoo! Answers, which I use more often. It's not against any rules, it just rarely gets good ratings so people choose not to do that.

What is the culture like here, though? Maybe people like to post the entire article in case the person asking is curious about things outside the scope of the actual question? That could be.

Asked by towhomitmay 41 months ago Similar questions: users Askville post entire articles answers edit include relevant information Amazon > Askville.

Similar questions: users Askville post entire articles answers edit include relevant information.

People have different views on this... here is mine (more or less)... Basically, a cut and paste without attribution is a pretty mindless performance except for the minimal effort of googling or otherwise searching for an appropriate source. I would give such an answer no higher than an average three. An unattributed cut and paste, or one that they didn't even bother to remove extraneous elements, like ads, could get even less.

A cut and paste with attribution (and one that fit the question asked) that had a relevant introduction and some supplemental information might get a four. An answer that reflected thought -- such as summarizing in the answering in the individual's own words, perhaps adding relevant portions of an article to support these words or finding two or more such sources, provided they are attributed, would probably get a four. An opinion that showed some thought would probably get a four as well.(A one-liner opinion would get a three unless it was a terrific one-liner.) A five is either original and excellent material (which could have some edited and relevant content or images added).

Or it is an opinion that is cogent and of more than passing value. Sometimes it is just a useful answer to a very difficult question. Others do it differently and have different ideas.

But I agree... cut and paste is bad form..

Most prefer original material Many people consider it bad form to use a copy and paste answer at all. Lots of people here prefer an answer from the answerer’s experience or personal knowledge. Any sources listed would just be outside sites that support the facts or opinion in the answer.

A copy and paste answer to a how-to question is more acceptable but even then it’s best if there’s something personal from the answerer, even if it’s only to say he or she has tried this method and it works. Askville is part social gathering place and part question and answer site. People like the personal touch in answers.

That’s why you’ll see questions asking specifically for answers about something the answerer has used or done. In fact, there have been complaints about people asking questions that were easily answered by Googling, because people thought that was too impersonal. When people talk about rating, it seems that most rate copy and past answers a 3, for making the effort to answer, and more only if there’s personal information in addition to the copy and paste.So, it’s not the amount of copy and paste information that’s the problem, it’s the amount of original information.

Relevant outside material combined with original information, good to great. Relevant outside material and nothing else, average..

1 I'm totally with you. Merely copying and pasting the entirety of another website, even if you include a link to the site and let us know you copied it, does not an answer make. Rephrase, summarize, include a useful line or two, but if all you're going to do is copy it all, just provide the link, please.

I'm totally with you. Merely copying and pasting the entirety of another website, even if you include a link to the site and let us know you copied it, does not an answer make. Rephrase, summarize, include a useful line or two, but if all you're going to do is copy it all, just provide the link, please.

2 I haven't seen too many where they copy an entire site, normally it's just an article about whatever the question is about. I have a bigger problem when people ask questions that are so simple or easily Googled that they can be be answered by copy/pasting a web site. I hate it when people say "no wikipedia answers".

In my opinion if your question can be answered by copy/pasting a wikipedia entry, then you should just read the wikipedia entry yourself and be done with it. If Askville just automatically searched Google or wikipedia for a few keywords from people's questions and showed them when the question was asked like it does with previous Askville questions, there would probably be a lot of things answered much more quickly for people since all they have to do is type 2 or 3 words into Google and find the answer.

I haven't seen too many where they copy an entire site, normally it's just an article about whatever the question is about. I have a bigger problem when people ask questions that are so simple or easily Googled that they can be be answered by copy/pasting a web site. I hate it when people say "no wikipedia answers".

In my opinion if your question can be answered by copy/pasting a wikipedia entry, then you should just read the wikipedia entry yourself and be done with it. If Askville just automatically searched Google or wikipedia for a few keywords from people's questions and showed them when the question was asked like it does with previous Askville questions, there would probably be a lot of things answered much more quickly for people since all they have to do is type 2 or 3 words into Google and find the answer.

3 Here is Dear Jewel's thoughts on the matter: I feel this site is valuable, regardless of the question/answer. We are here more to 'network' more than anything else. The value is connection and being able to express one's self in one full moment without interruption.It gives a person the opportunity to get their thoughts out all at once.

This is very healthy forum. As far as cutting and pasting, there is little value in the "cut and pasting" unless it is in support of a person's own knowledge or personal experience. However, being of little value, that little part that is, may offer education of the topic to those without knowledge or experience.

LAs for those people that find annoyance in the google questions, my answer to you is there is no such thing as a stupid question, there are only stupid answers. And if people find annoyance in the google questions, then pass them by and don't worry about them.

Here is Dear Jewel's thoughts on the matter: I feel this site is valuable, regardless of the question/answer. We are here more to 'network' more than anything else. The value is connection and being able to express one's self in one full moment without interruption.It gives a person the opportunity to get their thoughts out all at once.

This is very healthy forum. As far as cutting and pasting, there is little value in the "cut and pasting" unless it is in support of a person's own knowledge or personal experience. However, being of little value, that little part that is, may offer education of the topic to those without knowledge or experience.

LAs for those people that find annoyance in the google questions, my answer to you is there is no such thing as a stupid question, there are only stupid answers. And if people find annoyance in the google questions, then pass them by and don't worry about them.

" "does anybody knows how to post a survey on askville I need different answers to my 11 questions. " "Which do you like better? Askville or Yahoo!

Answers? " "Is cutting and pasting information from the internet for answers wrong here on askville?" "With Google, how do I search for my answers with other Askville users? " "How many best answers do you have on askville?

" "Once you answer a question on Askville how do you go back and edit it?

I wanted my to be under "Askville", but it came up as "Society.

Does anybody knows how to post a survey on askville I need different answers to my 11 questions.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.