Be extra helpful to new users

Question

I generally don't participate much on SO or Meta. This is not a new case but I can't just prevent myself from posting this.

Let's look at this question:

PHP CURL not loading in WAMP after upgrading PHP from 5.3.4 to 5.3.22 by a new user

The OP of the question appears to have done his research, and tried several things before posting here. Instead of the help he was expecting, he received two comments; one advising to post it on Server Fault and another to post it on Super User.

After some time the question was closed, stating the reason as off-topic. But I am unsure many similar questions like PHP CURL not working - WAMP on Windows 7 64 bit manage to be on-topic, although both of them are not programming related questions. Also, remember that the similar question with upvotes inspired user to post it here.

Let's look at the advice given to the user:

put on hold as off-topic by arkascha, M42, zero323, halfer, rene 2 days ago This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave these specific reasons:

"Questions on professional server, networking, or related infrastructure administration are off-topic for Stack Overflow unless they directly involve programming or programming tools. You may be able to get help on Server Fault." – halfer, rene

"Questions about general computing hardware and software are off-topic for Stack Overflow unless they directly involve tools used primarily for programming. You may be able to get help on Super User." – arkascha, M42, zero323

The close reasons advise the user to post it on two different sites. From this, we can see that even old SO users are confused as to which is the correct place to post this between Server Fault and Super User....so how can you expect a new user who has just joined today to understand this very well?

Then, I waited for 2 days to see if the OP will post it on a different SE site or not. The result was No. The user didn't post it again on a different SE site.

Well, this is one of the numerous cases in which new users are unwelcomed here, and many eventually never return to this site. So, my request is that we should help new users to understand this site and not just create a pile of downvotes or closing their questions without helping them.

P.S. Can anyone explain while PHP CURL not loading in WAMP after upgrading PHP from 5.3.4 to 5.3.22 was off-topic why PHP cURL not working - WAMP on Windows 7 64 bit is on-topic?

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Update:

My intention by sharing this question was neither to limit this discussion to this question nor to start a debate about WAMP questions. The linked question was not downvoted but there are lot of questions who get lot of downvotes without reason written. Also, here extra helpful means spending extra efforts helping new users understand the site. I have also included an answer with my suggestions but it is somehow downvoted.

Answer 1

They politely told the user that the question is offtopic and where to go to get help. If the user decided that getting an answer to their question wasn't worth posting it on the appropriate site, that is their decision to make.

There were no downvotes (despite rather good reason for doing so) there were no rude comments, and the user was pointed to the correct place. I don't see what could possibly have been done better.

Answer 2

First off, SU and SF are generally not great places for WAMP questions... Particularly when asked on SO, these nearly always involve someone working with their development or testing setup (rather than, say, a home or production server environment). If you see someone recommending SF or SU for such questions, politely correct them.

Second, if you're concerned about a question or the advice given to its asker don't sit on your hands for two days - try to fix it! It took me just a few minutes to leave polite comments correcting those who recommended SF and SU, and a minute more to edit the question to clarify the title and fix the multiple formatting issues that plagued it. I then voted to reopen it.

As a low-reputation user on Stack Overflow, there's a limit to how much you can accomplish - but you do have the privilege to comment everywhere, and you can suggest edits that improve the clarity of any post. Use these privileges when you see something wrong.

Answer 3

I may be reiterating some of the points already made, but since my name has been taken in vain ;), I feel entitled to make a couple of points on this case.

The suggestion that I have made a new user feel unwelcome is a little frustrating, especially since I frequently come down on the side of that particular debate as "let's be more civil to new users". That can easily be checked from my posting history here and on SO.

I voted to close this question and recommended Server Fault, but have since been informed that the question would not be welcome there anyway. I would still be minded to regard it as off-topic for Stack Overflow, except that more experienced users have voted to reopen it; I shall therefore try to remember that this particular item of server software is regarded as a programming tool, and will refrain from closing such topics in future.

Your sentiment that we should be more welcoming generally of new users is fine in theory, but try commenting on 1-rep user questions for a couple of years, and you'll soon change your mind. Me, I'm a sucker for punishment, as I frequently comment on off-topic questions and, of first-time posts, I'd estimate that 95%+ don't bother replying to my gentle advice. I am not sure there is much more I can do, in all honesty.

For what it's worth, I think Stack Overflow (at least the tags I primarily spend time in) is mainly striking the correct balance. The community certainly should be remaining civil, but challenging lazy help vampirism on the web is also a worthwhile aim, and I've not heard of any other site that is dealing with it as effectively.

Now, if you find comments or answers that are being hostile to new users then report them using the flag system (even if those comments come from high-rep members). I frequently make such reports, and sometimes will additionally comment to assuage some hurt feelings (even if the OP is then disinclined to reply). You can do the same too, if you would like to help new users in the tags you most read.