[ANSTHRLD] Answering questions

[Teceangl]

An open query to the list:

Recently, I responded to a posting on an heraldic mailing list I
subscribe to (this narrows it down not at all - I subscribe to every
SCA heraldic mailing list I know of) with pointers to the locations
in the AH/RfS/Laurel Precedents/Laurel Education articles/mundane sources
where the poster might find the answers I gave, and pretty much said,
"in future, you may look here for answers".

I got pulled into private email and ripped for it.  I was told that I
made the person asking the question look too stupid to have checked other
sources first (the poster had not said anything about having looked anywhere)
and that I made the poster look like a pest.  The private email accused me
of toning my message in a "don't bother asking in the future" manner.

I'm wondering if I come across wrong when I address questions as though the
poster is looking for not only the specific answer, but perhaps trying to
learn something.  Should we who reply to questions keep our answers to
"yes" and "no" rather than actually trying to educate?  Should we discount
the number of people lurking-to-learn who gain useful information with
references to available sources which will not only answer the question at
hand, but allow people to find answers in the future?

If I sound hurt, I am.  I thought folks were on these lists to learn, not
just to have other people do their work for them.

- Teceangl
--
          Fill your mouth with toothpaste and quack like a duck.