Guidelines for asking

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Here is a suggested list of guidelines for asking questions.

• Research the problem online first to avoid duplication. Mention what you find. Attempt to solve the problem before asking, and explain what efforts you have made. Programming questions should include code snippets.
• Simplify and isolate the problem as much as possible. Use elementary problem solving or debugging techniques. Describe problems encountered and show error messages.
• Give all information and steps necessary to reproduce the problem. Attach* a sample document if necessary. Provide version, operating system and locale when relevant.
• Use common grammar and wording so that people in other countries besides your own can understand. Calc formulas should use ; for the separator.
• Clearly state the actual question and desired results. The title should be a short summary, and add relevant tags. Do not check the "community wiki" checkbox.
• After asking, monitor the question for a few days in case corrections or clarifications are requested. Edit the question or add a comment as needed, but do not use the answer box unless you are providing an answer to your own question.*
• If a useful answer is given, mark it as correct by clicking ✔ in the upper left area of the answer, and consider upvoting.* Otherwise, explain in a comment below the answer why it is not acceptable.

* Requires the number of karma points listed here.