Answers and the FAQ

When Answers was introduced there was some discussion (both on Answers and CSSM) about the FAQ. This of course also came up when the FAQ moved. I think now that Answers has been around for a while, it is worth reexaming the role of the FAQ and Answers.

Should the FAQ and Answers be tied together in some way?

Answer 1

[Jan]

Reading the FAQ is more efficient than waiting for somebody to reply "Please read FAQ X.Y". Actually it should be the vital interest of users to read the FAQ before the first problem has appeared. It is simply cheaper to avoid problems than to solve them.

Therefore I'd expect a copy of the FAQ inside the local help, as usual in other programs also.

Answer 2

[Daniel Shub]

My own answer to this is for Mathworks to consider potentially forcing individuals with a reputation less than 1, 10, 100, 1000, not Walter, to click and acknowledge that they have read the FAQ before being allowed to ask a question.

[Paulo Silva]

they would just click on it anyway

Answer 3

[Andrew Newell]

It would be good to have a link to the FAQ on either the home page or the About MATLAB Answers page.