Multi-questioned AskMe post.

January 17, 2005 7:24 AM

Multi-questioned AskMe post. It's a particularly (IMHO) obnoxious kind of transgression, in that there's no way to claim it's anything other than an attempt to circumvent policy that's in place for good reason. Can the post page make the "one question per post" point more clearly?
posted by mkultra to Etiquette/Policy at 7:24 AM (22 comments total)

I think the policy is clearly understood, mkultra. Probably the only thing that would put a stop to this kind of thing would be Matt deleting all multiple, unrelated question AskMes, no exceptions.
posted by orange swan at 7:31 AM on January 17, 2005

I don't think it's a problem, at all.

The main reason for the limit is to reduce turnover speed. IOW, genuine questions by others shouldn't drop off quickly, because few people like to post every third question that pops up in their mind.

Since all multiple questions are contained in one post, turnover isn't accelerated. Also, the more questions you put in, the less likely you're to get adequate answers for all. That should act as a natural inhibitor.
posted by Gyan at 7:49 AM on January 17, 2005

The thing I like about AskMeFi, as opposed to simply googling for information, is that intelligent people can give very specific answers, which can often lead to a complete change in how one looks at a certain idea/topic/"thing".

If questions are becoming more general and diluted with multiple, very different, topics, the usefulness of each question, and the site itself, deteriorates. IMHO, specificity is precisely the reason I like AskMeFi. If I needed the answer to some general question, I would post a link to MetaFilter, which is great for general banter on a wide array of topics. A great example would be "favorite band" threads. Another great example is "what do you think about the US image abroad?" Both are extremely general and would get much better answers in MeFi.
posted by BlueTrain at 8:29 AM on January 17, 2005

I've considered similar things, but more craftily worded; See, the two q's must be related somehow:

1. Can anyone tell me if cyberwit.com, who solicits stories for anthologies like Anthology of World's Great Short Stories, is any kind of reputable publisher, or if they just solicit submissions from newbies, sell copies to those newbies, but then no one else reads their magazines? My little story that they want is, I think, very nice, but sure as hell ain't one of the World's Great Stories, and methinks Cyberwit smacks of a scam.

2. Wondering about Cyberwit has driven me to drink more than usual. What is the absolute PEATIEST, SMOKIEST single malt in existence? BTW, Talisker is too expensive for me. How's the Bowmore Mariner? Bowmores often have a nice briny taste I like as well. Will I like Ardbeg? Please recommend me good peaty Islays that aren't too 'mediciney' sweet...

Thanks!!!
posted by Shane at 9:02 AM on January 17, 2005

By the way, I have about six legitimate good questions I'd like to ask right now, and this once-a-week thing is driving me nuts. Six questions = 42 days to complete them all!
posted by Shane at 9:04 AM on January 17, 2005

Oh, and, I find Laphroig a little wimpy. Nice-n-smooth but really just barely moderate on the peatiness scale. I wanna suck turf, basically.
posted by Shane at 9:07 AM on January 17, 2005

;-)
posted by Shane at 9:07 AM on January 17, 2005

Shane, try Lagavulin. Nice and peaty. Ardbeg is good, too.

As far as having six questions, you're just going to have to bide your time.
posted by me3dia at 9:22 AM on January 17, 2005

Previously discussed here. Still awaiting resolution by mathowie.

I think the policy is clearly understood, mkultra. Probably the only thing that would put a stop to this kind of thing would be Matt deleting all multiple, unrelated question AskMes, no exceptions.

That's the ideal solution, certainly, but another workable approach would be if no one responded to multiple-question posts. Of course, with this crowd, that won't happen.
posted by rushmc at 9:31 AM on January 17, 2005

I second Lagavulin, Shane.
posted by chundo at 10:11 AM on January 17, 2005

Thanks, me3dia and chundo. Not that I was actually fishing for answers in this thread. No, never. Never ever. I have much more integrity than that. Damn these cheaters!

But all answers that just coincidentally happen to be posted here by compulsive-answerers are, of course, greatly appreciated and, if ever possible at a meetup, will be rewarded with a beverage or two...
;-)
You "lads" might like the Bowmores too. The Legend is well-rated, and the 12 yr is very nice; both are affordable; right now Bowmore's 5-yr Islay, sold cheap under the name "McClelland's," is a favorite bargain of mine.
posted by Shane at 10:23 AM on January 17, 2005

Lagavulin's good, definitely; I'm partial to Balvenie (the 15-year old is lovely), and Springbank (though if you're outside Scotland, the latter might be pretty hard to track down).
posted by Len at 10:25 AM on January 17, 2005

Jesus. For a moment there, I thought we had a bunch of sex freaks going on about loverly 15 year olds, a very nice 12 year old... omg, a five year old? WTF?!

Oh. Scotch whiskies. Or something like that. Thank goodness.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:49 AM on January 17, 2005

1. Cyberwit isn't reputable as far as I know. I am just going off the fact I haven't heard of them though.

2. Lagavulin is great.

Next question? :-)
posted by xammerboy at 11:33 AM on January 17, 2005

I am sorry about my little accident. I had not noticed the 'one question per post' rule - I don't think i've read the posting policy since posing my first question.

It is apparent that part of the value of ask metafilter lies in it being a searchable repository of questions and answers. And I am not helping am i...

I would however like to thank the people that answered my questions - especially AlexReynolds who answered them both. What's the policy on answering two questions in one post by the way?
posted by FidelDonson at 12:35 PM on January 17, 2005

Lagavulin is great, but Talisker is better. Maybe I'm getting screwed, but I think they're pretty much in the same price range.

I have a friend who buys her single malt generically. Apparently, it's possible to buy scotch at a 25% or so discount when you purchase a bottle that specifies region rather than distillery. There's a particular region she favors that has, bar none, the smokiest scotch I've ever tasted. Makes Lagavulin taste like bourbon. Can't remember the name of it, though. Email me and I'll ask her the next time I see her.
posted by felix betachat at 1:15 PM on January 17, 2005

Caol Ila
posted by felix betachat at 1:25 PM on January 17, 2005

xam, Len, felix: Thanks!
posted by Shane at 1:34 PM on January 17, 2005

Talisker too expensive? How strange.
posted by i_cola at 2:05 PM on January 17, 2005

Hey Shane, I got that cyberwit email too.
I think it's some kind of scam. Who knows what kind?
And the last time I drank Talisker, my agent bought it for me.
What's my favorite kind of Scotch? Free Scotch!
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 3:19 PM on January 17, 2005

There's a scotch called the Peat Monster. I bet it's pretty peaty.
posted by kenko at 4:05 PM on January 17, 2005

Hey Shane, I got that cyberwit email too. I think it's some kind of scam.

I got a couple and they're definitely form e-mails. The only thing that changes is the story URL and the subject header. But, for kicks, I e-mailed the editor, inquired about distribution and such, and asked for a sample copy. He (seemingly begrudgingly) said he'd send a sample, but he didn't answer the distribution question.

He's probably primarily making money selling copies to the contributers, but maybe he's selling a few copies elsewhere as well; he's getting his material for free, after all. Of course, that's not really all that different than many non-paying magazines ;-) ...except that no one I know has heard of CyberWit or seen its publications on the bookshelves.
posted by Shane at 4:29 PM on January 17, 2005