From: Tim Hunter <TimHunter@...>
Date: 2009-02-16T00:34:18+09:00
Subject: Re: Multidimensional hash - get all not blank keys

Julian Leviston wrote:
> I agree. People have a tendency to not try. They come wanting answers 
> without hving thought about it themselves.

I agree as well. However, I think it's possible to be helpful short of 
simply supplying the answer.

I'm speaking as a long-time jerk who struggles every day to not be 
sarcastic and mean in public forums. I know, intellectually at least, 
that it's never appropriate to be rude or to judge somebody based on a 
single post. I don't always succeed but I try.

The ideal answer to a question like the O.P.'s is helpful, positive, and 
  correct. For example, answers like "Consider using the <this  method> 
in <this class>." Or write a prose description of an algorithm. Point to 
information sources. "You can use ri to get more information about..." 
Or "Here's a blog post that might help."

If I can't be helpful, positive, and give a correct answer, I keep my 
hands off the keyboard and wait for somebody else who can.

-- 
RMagick: http://rmagick.rubyforge.org/