Anything Goes : A word on advice... by Ami Brown

Excellent advice, Ami. Nobody is an expert in everything, although some claim to be. Nobody _can_ be an expert in everything. I'd go further (if I may offer my own advice). After spending some time on this (mostly) fantastic site, find people who's advice is generally consistent, sound and helpful and follow them.

The best advice is trusting your intuition and learning to work with it. Always good to get outside opinion and if it feels right than look at it from that perspective. Like anything take with a grain of salt.

Then look behind!

Good post, Ami. I have a sort of checklist I go through with anybody offering advice. I noted a lot of it down for a blog post I wanted to write, and here's some of it; Transparency - Is the user posting under a full name? Do they have a picture of themselves as their avatar? Do they have a detailed bio in their profile, a link to a website, or a link to an IMDB profile? Do they provide examples of their work? Professionalism - Does the user give off an inappropriately informal attitude? Do they understand professional etiquette? Do they understand forum etiquette? Are they presenting a narrow-minded or one-sided viewpoint? Do they argue the toss rather than play devil's advocate? Do they turn discussions into debates? Do they turn debates into straw man arguments? Do they get angry? Are they sometimes rude? Do they spread gossip? Are they overly emotional? Do they fail to make their point clearly? Competence - Can the user string a sentence together? Do they demonstrate an ability to deliver on the subject they advise on? Does the user often give advice that contradicts the opinion of many others? Does the user give advice that contradicts well understood practice? Do they demonstrate intellect and maturity? Do they state the obvious? Do they check their facts? Have they done their research? Experience - Does the user have a track record? Are their claims of experience validated? Do they claim to have more experience than prepared to prove? Is their experience relevant to the area they are advising on? Do they value their experience based on the company they keep? Courtesy - Does the user put others down? Can they be inconsiderate and hurtful? Do they tell others what their motives should be? Do they expect something for nothing? Do they give thanks and acknowledgement for assistance? Attitude - Does the user talk about peers as "them" rather than "us"? Are they pretentious? Do they show resentment toward the industry? Do they talk down to those with seemingly less experience and kiss up to those with seemingly more access? Do they try to build hierarchy? Do they often call others unprofessional, amateurs or wannabes? Do they make topics about themselves? Agenda - Is the user's motivation to give genuine advice? Are they trying to sell something? Are they trying to increase their post-count? Are they soliciting approval? Are they leveraging the topic to self promote? Are they taking the opportunity to support or put-down other users? Obviously it all runs deeper than this, and it is all relative to the topic at hand. Plus one element can easily outbalance another.

@Tony, CJ - Great points, I agree completely. I have found another thing about advice from this site and many others. Do the people address your question with specfic information and examples or do they answer in a way that lets them soapbox their own acomplishments.

... :-/

" I'm Narrow minded - it's female traits! And I only get angry 3 days a month." The crassest thing I've read on a supposedly professional forum for a very long time!

Nothing wrong with humor!

If it's not funny, it ain't humor ;)

Did you read back a few comment beforehand? I admit it did go off topic but what transpired was funny. and even more so as you don't find it so. two extremes. Funny yes and funny no sides!

Well Said Ami.