How to directly answer a question based on flawed assumptions? April 11, 2007 1:27 PM   Subscribe

"I think it's pretty clear that I'm not asking for your opinion on the idea's viability." Sorry, this question (and response from the asker) is crap.
posted by aberrant to Etiquette/Policy at 1:27 PM (10 comments total)

As much as I'm a diehard proponent of just answering the question, sometimes there IS no answer to the question that makes any sense. I suggest that this is one of those cases.
posted by aberrant at 1:27 PM on April 11, 2007


What? The dude is pretty clearly asking for advice on how to do something, not advice on whether this thing should be done. mmascolino is out of line, not the Asker.
posted by Mister_A at 1:32 PM on April 11, 2007


The question—how to solve the technical side of the proposition—is entirely answerable, even if the answer turns out to be "there's no easy way". It being a goofy or impractical idea is not at issue, as far as I can tell.
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:33 PM on April 11, 2007


It's not whether it SHOULD be done, it's whether it CAN be done given the assumptions stated ("reasonable verification"). These assumptions are flawed, and therefore, any answer that's given won't meet the stated need (as there's no answer that can be correct).
posted by aberrant at 1:35 PM on April 11, 2007


The question isn't crap, but the idea as described in it certainly has flaws. The person is asking for technical solutions to getting webcam shots uploaded somewhere, and that's a valid question.

Their reply to the first two comments is certainly a curt one and off a bit, but they apparently don't want to hear "this is a bad idea for the following reasons..." they are looking for "you should use the following software to upload webcam video..."
posted by mathowie (staff) at 1:35 PM on April 11, 2007


pwn3d
posted by public at 1:36 PM on April 11, 2007


Ok, I concede. Feel free to close, or to pile on - whatever makes you happy.
posted by aberrant at 1:38 PM on April 11, 2007


Well since I can't close it, I guess I'll have to settle for door #2.
posted by Mister_A at 1:44 PM on April 11, 2007


whatever makes you happy

Don't make me happy. You wouldn't like me when I'm happy.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:50 PM on April 11, 2007 [1 favorite]


You're only happy when it rains.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 1:53 PM on April 11, 2007


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