How To Ask Questions The Smart Way, an article by Eric S. Raymond, should be considered required reading for anyone who seeks to get help from others. Please read the article, but here are the important tips he suggests:

1. Try to find an answer by searching the Web.
2. Try to find an answer by reading the manual.
3. Try to find an answer by reading a FAQ.
4. Try to find an answer by inspection or experimentation.
5. Try to find an answer by asking a skilled friend.
6. If you are a programmer, try to find an answer by reading the source code.

Please note the author of the article emphasizes that he is not qualified nor willing to answer your questions, but instead is just telling how you should ask your question in order to likely get help in the appropriate place.

An interesting but unrelated comment about this article is his use of the term meritocracy near the end. In my opinion, it is tempting for a culture to become meritocratic, especially in today’s information age, but remember, a meritocrat is still an elitist. It is very difficult to define intelligence and those with money and influence are better able to afford prime education. Students in wealthy families don’t necessarily need to work and can devote more of their time to learning (not that they do, but they have that option). An interesting affirmation of this point is the Mensa information page, where you can find the answer to the question, “What kind of people are members of Mensa?”

I realize that meritocracy does not necessary put IQ and knowledge as the most important factor, but it commonly is the case.