Do you think it's better to post threads or to answer questions?

[CallMeDirac]

Do you think it's better to post threads or to answer questions. Assumin`g the quality of the posts are the same as the questions you answer. On the forum you gain points and awards for likes and such. Which do you think is better for points and why.

 

[cybernetichero]

I'm a noob here myself and despite having a bunch of questions I think it's important not to post a lot of silly threads straight off without getting to know the people here a bit first and getting a measure of the tone of the forum. Answering questions is also a good way to attract attention to yourself making any thread posted more likely to get some attention.
That's just my two cents worth, not any sort of rule or anything.

 

[phinds]

You should answer threads only if you really have something to offer to the conversation. Points are pretty meaningless and purely a side effect of good answers or good questions.

 

[cybernetichero]

You should answer threads only if you really have something to offer to the conversation. Points are pretty meaningless and purely a side effect of good answers or good questions.

That too. Keep to what you know.

 

[hmmm27]

Points/trophies are a fun side-effect of participation.

I don't see any comparison between asking and answering.

 

[russ_watters]

Do you think it's better to post threads or to answer questions. Assumin`g the quality of the posts are the same as the questions you answer.

This question is meaningless because asking questions and answering questions are completely different and unrelated things.

On the forum you gain points and awards for likes and such. Which do you think is better for points and why.

"This is not a video game, son."

[edit] I see from your posting history that you are in 8th grade and have a high level of ambition. It's great to see, but you don't seem to have learned that it is important for you to learn that you have a lot to learn. At this point, you need to focus on learning. Ask questions. Don't try to answer them.

 

[Vanadium 50]

"This is not a video game, son."

+1

 

[berkeman]

"This is not a video game, son."

I had to look that one up!

 

[CallMeDirac]

This question is meaningless because asking questions and answering questions are completely different and unrelated things.

"This is not a video game, son."

[edit] I see from your posting history that you are in 8th grade and have a high level of ambition. It's great to see, but you don't seem to have learned that it is important for you to learn that you have a lot to learn. At this point, you need to focus on learning. Ask questions. Don't try to answer them.

I was not asking in order to gain points. I was simply curious what people thought.

 

[hmmm27]

You could do what I've been doing (a bit much IMO, lately) ... semi-hijacking an interesting thread, despite not being the OP, nor knowledgeable enough to give an answer.

 

[Klystron]

Do you think it's better to post threads or to answer questions.

I find answering questions more fulfilling than asking them.
Does one learn more from studying answers to other's questions or by asking the question oneself?

In both cases I read available material including many posted links. Some posts entertain. Many posts inform. A few comments truly enlighten and instruct; these nuggets payment for the others.

Consider: without good questions there would be fewer fine answers.

 

[JT Smith]

There's something called "reaction score" as well. I suppose points and trophies and likes are a kind of reward or motivator for many people. I've ignored that stuff here but I'm not immune to desiring positive feedback. I just don't know how the points even work here. What's the formula? Is that information posted somewhere here?

 

[phinds]

Is that information posted somewhere here?

It is but I forget where. I think if you click on your reaction score and poke around that will lead you to an explanation of the "points". The reaction score is just one for every time someone reacts to one of your posts.

 

[DrGreg]

Trophies are explained at https://www.physicsforums.com/help/trophies/

 

[hmmm27]

You could do what I've been doing (a bit much IMO, lately) ... semi-hijacking an interesting thread, despite not being the OP, nor knowledgeable enough to give an answer.

LoL @berkeman & @CallMeDirac

Yeah, I guess I could have phrased that better, instead of coming off as some bored piratey type, bent on sowing confusion.

 

[BillTre]

@icakeov used to ask questions I liked.
He would ask interesting open ended questions which provoked a lot of interesting comments.
I enjoy answering some questions. A good answer sometimes requires thinking in detail of something I might not have thought a lot about before. I consider that good.

I occasionally ask questions in threads about specific things I think PF people can inform me about.
I think those are good, but mostly for me.

Some times I post about recent science findings. I like those, but they don't always evoke a lot of comment. They are more like an announcement of something happening.

 

[JT Smith]

Trophies are explained at https://www.physicsforums.com/help/trophies/

Thanks for that.

But when I add up all the points it says I've earned it's way more than what my profile says I have.

Apparently there also medals you can earn. But as far as I can tell you can't earn cash. If I could earn a nickel for every post I'd be quite the prolific poster on this website! I have much to say about cats.

By the way, what exactly is a "reaction"? If someone quotes you does that count? How do you give a reaction? Should I care? No, probably not. Never mind! :-)

 

[berkeman]

If I could earn a nickel for every post I'd be quite the prolific poster on this website!

Tell me about it...

 

[BillTre]

Tell me about it...

You would be owed $2945.80 then!

 

[berkeman]

You would be owed $2945.80 then!

Much less than my hourly engineering consulting rate, but it would help to cover sunscreen for the annual Mentor trips to Aruba... (inside Mentor joke)