Answering the same questions over and over again Thread poster: philgoddard
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I estimate that around 40 percent of the questions in my language pairs (various European languages into English) have been asked before.
The context is the same, or similar, and the asker simply hasn't bothered to check the glossary. Some terms have been asked a hundred or more times. Some have even been posted before by the same person.
I and others sometimes point out that questions are duplicated, but we're in a minority. Most people are happy to earn more points by... See more I estimate that around 40 percent of the questions in my language pairs (various European languages into English) have been asked before.
The context is the same, or similar, and the asker simply hasn't bothered to check the glossary. Some terms have been asked a hundred or more times. Some have even been posted before by the same person.
I and others sometimes point out that questions are duplicated, but we're in a minority. Most people are happy to earn more points by answering them again.
I feel this is making the glossary unusable because there are so many near-identical entries. It's also a huge waste of time for askers and answerers.
I also notice it in social media groups I belong to: after you've been a member for a while, it gets boring and repetitious because there are only so many questions you can ask.
What do you think? ▲ Collapse
| | | | Natalie 
Poland
Local time: 13:22
Member (2002)
English to Russian
+ ...
MODERATOR SITE LOCALIZER | Duplicates may be easily removed by an active moderator | Oct 7 |
Just call a moderator to the duplicated question, using the [Call to this question] button at the bottom of the page.
| | | | | Perhaps this suggestion could be revived and even applied? | Oct 7 |
Steffen Walter
Germany
English to German
21 May 2002
Hello everybody,
I am relatively new to this site (became a member on 7 May 2002), and I don\'t know whether this had been a forum subject in earlier ProZ periods (I checked only the most recent suggestions page). To my knowledge, the function described in the subject line is not yet integrated in the KudoZ question posting system.
Therefore my proposal is to integrate a feature in the K... See more Steffen Walter
Germany
English to German
21 May 2002
Hello everybody,
I am relatively new to this site (became a member on 7 May 2002), and I don\'t know whether this had been a forum subject in earlier ProZ periods (I checked only the most recent suggestions page). To my knowledge, the function described in the subject line is not yet integrated in the KudoZ question posting system.
Therefore my proposal is to integrate a feature in the KudoZ questions site which, after having entered the term or phrase to be translated, automatically guides you to an overview of existing ProZ glossary entries containing your term (or phrase) in the relevant language pair and possibly also field of expertise (including fuzzy search mode). This way, people could be directed straight to glossary check before having to post a (possibly redundant) question, a necessity which is forgotten all too often. I think this function could filter out some degree of KudoZ site traffic. (Justified) responses from other ProZ members saying \"check glossaries first\" would no longer be received.
Hope this is of any interest to you all out there. Any response greatly appreciated.
https://www.proz.com/forum/prozcom_suggestions/2901-direct_glossary_check_link_prior_to_actual_posting_of_questions.html
[Edited at 2024-10-07 12:12 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Zea_Mays
Italy
Local time: 13:22
English to German
+ ...
| what it takes to be heard | Oct 7 |
writeaway wrote:
Steffen Walter
Germany
English to German
21 May 2002
Hello everybody,
I am relatively new to this site (became a member on 7 May 2002), and I don\'t know whether this had been a forum subject in earlier ProZ periods (I checked only the most recent suggestions page). To my knowledge, the function described in the subject line is not yet integrated in the KudoZ question posting system.
Therefore my proposal is to integrate a feature in the KudoZ questions site which, after having entered the term or phrase to be translated, automatically guides you to an overview of existing ProZ glossary entries containing your term (or phrase) in the relevant language pair and possibly also field of expertise (including fuzzy search mode). This way, people could be directed straight to glossary check before having to post a (possibly redundant) question, a necessity which is forgotten all too often. I think this function could filter out some degree of KudoZ site traffic. (Justified) responses from other ProZ members saying \"check glossaries first\" would no longer be received.
Hope this is of any interest to you all out there. Any response greatly appreciated.
https://www.proz.com/forum/prozcom_suggestions/2901-direct_glossary_check_link_prior_to_actual_posting_of_questions.html
Oh wow, only 22 years.  )
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Juan Jacob
Mexico
Local time: 06:22
French to Spanish
+ ...
...a lot of so called translators want an easy and quick response. I dont' work surching an answer... I want it NOW. No please, no thanks. Everyday. Years not answering anymore to nobody.
| | | | | There's your answer | Oct 7 |
writeaway wrote:
Steffen Walter wrote (  )
....this function could filter out some degree of ... site traffic.
It's not particularly about what makes it useable to us. Traffic = $$.
| | | | | Fwiw, this is copy/pasted from a former version of KudoZ ruleZ | Oct 8 |
2. Asking KudoZ questions
2.1 - Use KudoZ to ask for a translation only after you have consulted the KudoZ archives (KudoZ > ProZ.com Term Search from the main menu), dictionaries, search engines and any other commonly available resources that might be helpful. If you find translations elsewhere and still wish to post a KudoZ question, include the information you have found and explain what further information you seek.
2.2 - Texts posted as KudoZ questions should be no... See more 2. Asking KudoZ questions
2.1 - Use KudoZ to ask for a translation only after you have consulted the KudoZ archives (KudoZ > ProZ.com Term Search from the main menu), dictionaries, search engines and any other commonly available resources that might be helpful. If you find translations elsewhere and still wish to post a KudoZ question, include the information you have found and explain what further information you seek.
2.2 - Texts posted as KudoZ questions should be no longer than 10 words or so. Longer texts should be posted as jobs. (Jobs > Post a Job)
2.3 - Sufficient context must be provided with each question. When there is no context, indicate the subject area and type of document. It can be helpful to enter entire sentences or even paragraphs where the term(s) in question occur. Appropriate general and detailed fields indicating the context must be chosen from the dropdown menus. Avoid choosing "Other" when there is a more appropriate field.
2.4 - In general, askers should refrain from posting a large number of questions in a short period of time. Bear in mind that a question may be sent to several thousand people, and use your judgment.
2.5 - If a question is taken from a translation test, or if its content may be perceived as offensive by others, this must be made clear using the checkboxes provided in the question posting form.
2.6 - Expressions such as 'see below', 'in this context', etc., must not be entered in the form boxes intended for the term in question, or its proposed translations. Entering such expressions interferes with the expected display of the KudoZ viewing page, alerts, digests and glossary entries. The use of quotes, unnecessary capitalization, question marks, and anything else that would not be found in a dictionary, should be avoided.
2.7 - One posting must be made for each term question. Posting multiple questions within the same posting is not permitted, since it interferes with the process of making glossary entries. ▲ Collapse
| | | | philgoddard
United States
German to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Natalie wrote:
Just call a moderator to the duplicated question, using the [Call to this question] button at the bottom of the page.
I think you may have misunderstood me. I don't mean instances where one person posts the same question twice in quick succession. I'm referring to questions by different people, over many years, about the same terms. Surely moderators can't delete those. Or can they?
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Natalie
Poland
Local time: 13:22
Member (2002)
English to Russian
+ ...
MODERATOR SITE LOCALIZER | Why? Of course they can. | Oct 12 |
philgoddard wrote:
Natalie wrote:
Just call a moderator to the duplicated question, using the [Call to this question] button at the bottom of the page.
I think you may have misunderstood me. I don't mean instances where one person posts the same question twice in quick succession. I'm referring to questions by different people, over many years, about the same terms. Surely moderators can't delete those. Or can they?
Repetitive questions can be removed by mods, and also moderators can set warnings to such users about the requirement to check the existing questions/glossaries before asking new repeated questions and thus abusing the site.
| | | | Daryo
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:22
Serbian to English
+ ...
| Not so obvious what is REALLY "duplicated" | Oct 15 |
There were few cases of exactly the same question with exactly the same context information being asked by the same asker 3 times in a row in the space of few minutes. That's the kind of programming bugs that should and could be easily fixed.
There is also an asker who asks exactly the same terms every 2 years - in the updated version of the same text! - like he/she couldn't be bothered to make their own glossary – (or god forbid make the effort to memorise the answers).
... See more There were few cases of exactly the same question with exactly the same context information being asked by the same asker 3 times in a row in the space of few minutes. That's the kind of programming bugs that should and could be easily fixed.
There is also an asker who asks exactly the same terms every 2 years - in the updated version of the same text! - like he/she couldn't be bothered to make their own glossary – (or god forbid make the effort to memorise the answers).
But there is also A LOT of questions that are certainly NOT "definitely answered once and for ever". Even the perfectly correct previous answers might not be right for the Asker's ST, never mind that a non-negligible number of "chosen answers" are in fact plain wrong. ▲ Collapse
| | | | AllegroTrans
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:22
Member (2011)
French to English
+ ...
The moderators have either the time or the inclination to look at duplicated questions. As for the glossary, despite its undoubted usefulness, it's already in a mess and cleaning it up would be a monumental task.
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