sitefaqlet SiteDocClan  <h1>How should I spend my votes?</h1> <h2>General Voting Guidelines</h2> <p>Be sure you understand the [id://5938].</p> <p>This faqlet exists as a guide to answer questions like: "<em>Why should I vote ++ for a node?</em>", "<em>Why should I vote -- for a node?</em>", "<em>What are the site's official voting rules?</em>", and "<em>How should I spend my votes?</em>". The suggestions given here are exactly that, <em>suggestions</em>. You will of course develop your own, personal voting guidelines over the course of using this site, but hopefully you'll find these ideas useful if you are just starting out and feeling a little lost.</p> <p>One issue concerning voting is not a matter of opinion but of site policy: [id://103190|votebots are not allowed].</p> <p>If you're already wondering "<em>What the hell do you mean, 'voting'? How do I vote?</em>", then you're at the wrong node. You belong here: [id://17381]</p> <p>These guidelines were compiled based on input from a number of Monks in both the [id://236794|Chatterbox] and a number of extended threads on the subject ([id://20793], [id://9792], [id://17297], and many others since then). If you have anything you'd like to see added, send [SiteDocClan] a <code>/msg</code>.</p> <p>The guidelines are arranged by section:</p> <ul> <li><a href="#SOPW">Seekers of Perl Wisdom</a></li> <li><a href="#CUFP">Cool Uses for Perl</a></li> <li><a href="#Poetry">Perl Poetry</a></li> <li><a href="#GHOTI">Obfuscated Code</a></li> <li><a href="#Meditations">Meditations</a></li> <li><a href="#Discussion">Perl Monks Discussion</a></li> <li><a href="#Replies">Replies to Nodes</a></li> </ul> <h2><a name="SOPW"></a>Voting in [Seekers of Perl Wisdom]</h2> <blockquote> <h3>Voting on Wisdom Seekers:</h3> <ul> <li><b><tt>++</tt></b> if ... </li> <ul> <li>it's a thoughtful question. </li> <li>it shows that the poster did some research.</li> <li>it is well presented.</li> <li>it is a question you might ask.</li> </ul> <li><b><tt>--</tt></b> if ...</li> <ul> <li>it seems as though the poster is saying, "You do the work because I don't feel like it."</li> </ul> </ul> <h3>Voting on Wisdom Sharers:</h3> <ul> <li><b><tt>++</tt></b> if ...</li> <ul> <li>it is technically correct.</li> <li>it answers the questioner's question.</li> <li>it is simple, fast, and on point.</li> <li>it contains code examples.</li> <li>it wasn't an answer already given.</li> <li>it helps the questioner find the answer on his/her own.</li> </ul> <li><b><tt>--</tt></b> if ...</li> <ul> <li>it is negative and cruel towards the questioner. (usually is something like this, "This is a stupid question," or, "You should have figured it out on your own you idiot.")</li> </ul> <p>NOTE: Redundant answers and answers that are not entirely correct should probably not be voted -- since the poster probably did put some kind of effort into writing it.</p> </ul> </blockquote> <h2><a name="Craft"></a><a name="CUFP"></a>Voting in [Cool Uses for Perl]</h2> <ul> <li><b><tt>++</tt></b> if ...</li> <ul> <li>it contains code that can useful to other people.</li> <li>it demonstrates a rarely used feature of Perl.</li> <li>it gives other people ideas for their own code.</li> <li>it shows that effort was put into it.</li> </ul>  </ul> <h2><a name="Poetry"></a>Voting in [Perl Poetry]</h2> <ul> <li><b><tt>++</tt></b> if ...</li> <ul> <li>it uses real Perl code or describes something about Perl.</li> <li>it is original, witty, and entertaining.</li> </ul>  </ul> <h2><a name="GHOTI"></a>Voting in [Obfuscated Code]</h2> <ul> <li><b><tt>++</tt></b> if ...</li> <ul> <li>it is difficult to read.</li> <li>it uses code that is rarely used or seldomly found in those situations.</li> <li>it is creative and original.</li> </ul>  </ul> <h2><a name="Meditations"></a>Voting in [Meditations]</h2> <ul> <li><b><tt>++</tt></b> if ...</li> <ul> <li>it is thought provoking.</li> <li>it shows thought was put into it.</li> <li>it presents a good point.</li> </ul> <li><b><tt>--</tt></b> if ...</li> <ul> <li>you strongly disagree with its idea.</li> </ul> </ul> <h2><a name="Discussion"></a>Voting in [Perl Monks Discussion]</h2> <blockquote> <h3>Voting on Suggestions</h3> <ul> <li><b><tt>++</tt></b> if ...</li> <ul> <li>it is original and creative.</li> <li>it would lead to an improvement in the site.</li> </ul> <li><b><tt>--</tt></b> if ...</li> <ul> <li>you think it would make the site <i>less</i> usable/functional.</li> <li>the suggestion has been raised, debated, and dismissed conclusively in the past.</li> </ul> </ul> <h3>Voting on Questions About the Site</h3> <ul> <li><b><tt>++</tt></b> if ...</li> <ul> <li>it is an insightful, novel question.</li> <li>it presents something that maybe should be a suggestion.</li> </ul> <p>NOTE: You probably shouldn't vote <b><tt>--</tt></b> on a question immediately even if it is a stupid question or you can find the answer in a FAQ, because the poster may be a newbie and not know that there is a FAQ. But again, use personal judgement.</p> </ul> </blockquote> <h2><a name="Replies"></a>Voting on Responses to Nodes (Different from Answering Questions)</h2> <ul> <li><b><tt>++</tt></b> if ...</li> <ul> <li>it adds to the original post.</li> <li>it contributes different approaches to the same topic.</li> <li>it gives suggestions that can be used to make the code or suggestions better.</li> <li>it reveals the honest opinion of a person.</li> </ul> <li><b><tt>--</tt></b> if ...</li> <ul> <li>it is unjustifiably negative or harsh.</li> <li>it misrepresents someone's position, just to make him/her look bad.</li> <li>it is excessively arrogant.</li> </ul> </ul> <hr/> <i>Back to the [PerlMonks FAQ]</i>