3
$\begingroup$

I find myself frequently posting

"Hi. Since this is your first post..."

comments in first-question posts where I link to the help pages. After a few different variations, I've settled on

"Hi. Since this is your first question here, I thought I'd point you to some useful links. Take a look at how to ask questions here in such a way to maximise your chances of getting them answered and how to format math. Also, it's generally preferred that you show what you've already tried in attempting to answer your question."

Although it's arguably verbose, I think the bit about maximising chances is bound to get the poster's attention.

Now, here are my questions:

  1. is there a flag/button/magic spell/dance that I can employ that will just add that comment directly with a single action? If not, can one be created?

  2. since math.se can detect first question posters then why not automatically add a comment along the lines of the above to the screen that the poster sees before he/she asks the question?

  3. failing 2, and again considering that first posts are detected, why not have a comment automatically added to a first question?

Personally, I think (2) is the best solution. I can live happily with (1) as well. And (3) is a terrible idea in practice since it will pollute the comment area (unless the comment is visible only to the poster at the time of his/her first post, and to no one else).

The solution that I'm getting very tired of is what I do now: keep browser tabs open to those two help pages and type the same comment every time. Yes, I could save the entire comment somewhere then copy and paste it as needed but, to me, that's nearly as bothersome as just typing the entire thing.

Lastly, I did search Meta for a question resembling this one but I couldn't quite come up with keywords that would describe what I'm asking, so found nothing.

$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ If you think your formulation might be useful for other users, you might consider adding it to the list of comment templates. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 13, 2015 at 4:33

1 Answer 1

2
$\begingroup$

The closest thing I know of with regards to your option (1) is AutoReviewComments, available as a Chrome extension, Firefox add-on, or userscript.

It comes with a number of pre-set comments for specific purposes: e.g., "Nothing but a URL (and isn't spam)" gives the following comment

Whilst this may theoretically answer the question, it would be preferable to include the essential parts of the answer here, and provide the link for reference.

You can also customize these, and introduce your own categories.


As far as option (2) is considered, note then when asking a question some helpful information appears in the sidebar as you go through the various steps.

How to Ask

How to format

While not even mod-editable, these are likely customizable. An additional link to our How to ask a good question page might be a good step. Of course, it could be argued that no-one ever reads the sidebars (let alone what they link to).


The third option is probably the worst. Just because a brand new user asks a question does not mean that the question will be badly formatted or lacking other characteristics of good questions here. An automatic comment that almost assumes that the user is doing something wrong — and which might be obsolete the moment it is posted — is probably a bad idea.

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ "Of course, it could be argued that no-one ever reads the sidebars (let alone what they link to)." - Indeed. In fact, similar information also appears when asking questions here on meta and I didn't notice them when I asked this question so it could be that one reason why no one reads them is because they just don't attract enough visual attention. $\endgroup$
    – wltrup
    Commented Aug 13, 2015 at 20:47
  • $\begingroup$ "The third option is probably the worst" - No doubt. I added it mostly for completion. $\endgroup$
    – wltrup
    Commented Aug 13, 2015 at 20:47

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .