multiple questions in one post

November 20, 2005 11:24 AM

AskMe etiquette: multiple questions in one post, if they're all related (more inside)?
posted by aberrant to Etiquette/Policy at 11:24 AM (18 comments total)

I need some information on some silver marks that are on some antique spoons. The general question will be concerning marks, but I'd like to ask some specific questions about what I'm seeing as well. Is it appropriate to include multiple closely-related questions inside of a single AskMe post? If not, what would be an acceptable alternative?
posted by aberrant at 11:26 AM on November 20, 2005

If the questions are closely related, it's fine. People only get irritated if you use your question for a ton of unrelated issues. Or even two unrelated issues. Don't worry about it.
posted by interrobang at 11:31 AM on November 20, 2005

Not a problem, I'd think. Just make sure to be clear, ask the main or most important (part of the) question first, and use [more inside] if it's longer than a few lines of text.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 11:43 AM on November 20, 2005

I don't see why it should be a problem, even if the questions are unrelated. The restriction is in place because AskMe has a high turnover. So to stop a few questioners from taking up too many "slots" (and to prevent frivolous questions), the limit is in place. As long as your front page text doesn't take up inordinate amount of space, I don't see an etiquette problem.
posted by Gyan at 11:45 AM on November 20, 2005

Realize that the more detail you require in answers, the fewer quality answers you will receive.
posted by mischief at 11:45 AM on November 20, 2005

Thanks for the quick turnaround! I posed the questions in order of importance, and the resulting post is here.
posted by aberrant at 11:50 AM on November 20, 2005

you did a great job, I think that works fine.
posted by jessamyn at 11:54 AM on November 20, 2005

Thanks, jessamyn! Now, what are the serif marks on letters called? I figure you'd know the answer :)
posted by aberrant at 11:56 AM on November 20, 2005

Aren't they just called serifs?
posted by interrobang at 12:01 PM on November 20, 2005

Who's buried in Grant's tomb? And what's the number to call 911?
posted by languagehat at 12:05 PM on November 20, 2005

Anybody have a dictionary? There's a word that I need to look and see if it's in there.
posted by cortex at 12:11 PM on November 20, 2005

I don't see why it should be a problem, even if the questions are unrelated.
posted by Gyan

I think it's a pretty clear violation of AskMe etiquette to ask two unrelated questions in one post. It's generally not done, and when it is, people complain about it.
posted by agropyron at 12:14 PM on November 20, 2005

How 'bout that? It is called a serif (thanks, interrobang) - I guess I just got lucky.

Cortex, kind of hard to look up a word in a dictionary if you don't know what the word is to begin with.
posted by aberrant at 12:15 PM on November 20, 2005

Something with a 'g' in it. Tip of my tongue, but I just can't--

Gullible! That's it.
posted by cortex at 1:50 PM on November 20, 2005

Damn, I thought it was gormless.
posted by dg at 3:52 PM on November 20, 2005

What's with all this hand-holding bullshit? Sink or swim. Post and get adulated or lambasted, it's all you baby!
posted by Mr T at 4:24 PM on November 20, 2005

next time you should post to MeTa asking if it's appropriate to ask on MeTa if it's appropriate to ask multi-part questions.
posted by ori at 7:12 PM on November 20, 2005

...must ...resist ...urge to make... meta-MeTa joke.

aw, damn.
posted by heeeraldo at 2:57 AM on November 21, 2005