"A problem well stated is a problem half solved."  -Charles F. Kettering

So you e-mailed a question to a newsgroup, list-service, or other resource and didn't get the career saving answer you had hoped?  Maybe there were even rude responses?  How dare they!

First and foremost, remember that just because you are asking in a forum that does not get paid to help you doesn't mean the advice is free!  The cost of asking improperly is getting flamed.  Make an earnest effort to include what is wrong, what you are trying to accomplish, what you have done in terms of researching and fixing the problem so far, what do event logs report, when did the problem start, and so forth.

The first of the links listed below is by Microsoft.  The original was provocative in that it used acronyms such as STFW, RTFM, and so forth.  It lasted a few days in July 2005 before it was taken off-line and edited to the edition currently posted.

Please read the following related links for more information on how to post a question in a manner that it will receive helpful answers.  Taking Charles Kettering's quote as advice might help you become more self-sufficient.  Or, at the least, getting help and advice instead of flames!

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

http://www.ultratech-llc.com/KB/?File=~MoreInfo.TXT

http://www.linuxsilo.net/docs/smart-questions_en.html

http://www.schmahl.net/howtofixit.php

http://unix.rulez.org/~calver/pictures/bart.gif