Question math February 6, 2007 7:29 PM Subscribe
if ((TodaysDate-DateofLastPost)+(TodaysDate-DateofPostBeforeLast) >60 ){ ok you can ask your question}else{ no sorry wait some more}
wouldnt something like this give people their 2 questions within 30 days to use as they wish? (and stop all the whining)? if not programmers feel free to tell me im stupid
wouldnt something like this give people their 2 questions within 30 days to use as they wish? (and stop all the whining)? if not programmers feel free to tell me im stupid
The logic is wrong, but something like that when corrected, yes. And no, to the second sub-question.
The question isn't one of coding or program constraint. Nonprogrammers are used to programmers saying that a situation is easier to describe than to code. But the reverse can be true; here it's easier to code than to describe (or at least as easy). Coding which involves basic logic compare and branch is usually trivial and that remains true cutting down all the layers of abstraction to the very CPU hardware. If this, then that thing, otherwise another thing.
It's far more a question of will, perceived need, appropriate boundaries, and priorities, placing it squarely in the realm of social dynamics. Which, not too surprisingly, is why a bunch of people wind up arguing about it. Or, in few unfortunate cases, gratuitously insulting everyone who disagrees with their particular world view.
posted by mdevore at 7:53 PM on February 6, 2007
The question isn't one of coding or program constraint. Nonprogrammers are used to programmers saying that a situation is easier to describe than to code. But the reverse can be true; here it's easier to code than to describe (or at least as easy). Coding which involves basic logic compare and branch is usually trivial and that remains true cutting down all the layers of abstraction to the very CPU hardware. If this, then that thing, otherwise another thing.
It's far more a question of will, perceived need, appropriate boundaries, and priorities, placing it squarely in the realm of social dynamics. Which, not too surprisingly, is why a bunch of people wind up arguing about it. Or, in few unfortunate cases, gratuitously insulting everyone who disagrees with their particular world view.
posted by mdevore at 7:53 PM on February 6, 2007
A. Too many questions on AskMe = fewer and perhaps lower quality answers.
B. Limiting questions (by whatever means) = whining MetaTalk posts from people who don't understand A.
The problem is not fixable.
posted by LarryC at 8:03 PM on February 6, 2007
B. Limiting questions (by whatever means) = whining MetaTalk posts from people who don't understand A.
The problem is not fixable.
posted by LarryC at 8:03 PM on February 6, 2007
Mmm, yes, let's discuss this fascinating issue which rarely comes up and on which Matt is so oddly silent
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 8:10 PM on February 6, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 8:10 PM on February 6, 2007 [2 favorites]
LarryC, the worry in the previous thread was this:
Limiting questions --> decrease in fun questions (because right or wrong, people want to "save" their questions for emergencies) -->decrease in regular readership -->fewer and perhaps lower quality answers.
Now, I'm not saying I'm totally convinced by this, but I wish people would stop oversimplifying it to reject it. I think the best course is the one we're on... let the experiment continue and see if there really are fewer fun questions.
But I came in here to say I like petsounds' idea for another variation on limiting the questions.
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:11 PM on February 6, 2007
Limiting questions --> decrease in fun questions (because right or wrong, people want to "save" their questions for emergencies) -->decrease in regular readership -->fewer and perhaps lower quality answers.
Now, I'm not saying I'm totally convinced by this, but I wish people would stop oversimplifying it to reject it. I think the best course is the one we're on... let the experiment continue and see if there really are fewer fun questions.
But I came in here to say I like petsounds' idea for another variation on limiting the questions.
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:11 PM on February 6, 2007
"wouldnt something like this give people their 2 questions within 30 days to use as they wish? "
Then, slippery-sloping onward, why not do it yearly?
Heck, lifetime meberships! Enter your age and other info, and get ~26 questions per estimated year left.
posted by niles at 8:16 PM on February 6, 2007
Then, slippery-sloping onward, why not do it yearly?
Heck, lifetime meberships! Enter your age and other info, and get ~26 questions per estimated year left.
posted by niles at 8:16 PM on February 6, 2007
actuarial tables were invented for just this purpose.
posted by quonsar at 8:18 PM on February 6, 2007
posted by quonsar at 8:18 PM on February 6, 2007
if quonsar = ass
This is a common mistake but no less tragic for all that. See, you have actually just assigned your ass to quonsar.
posted by kindall at 8:18 PM on February 6, 2007 [33 favorites]
This is a common mistake but no less tragic for all that. See, you have actually just assigned your ass to quonsar.
posted by kindall at 8:18 PM on February 6, 2007 [33 favorites]
You should post this in the already open thread about this.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:26 PM on February 6, 2007
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:26 PM on February 6, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by quonsar at 7:48 PM on February 6, 2007 [6 favorites]