# How do I ban smart-assed individuals who post in my general questions? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 24, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159 "2019-08-24T14:52:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/21 "2019-08-25T12:41:50Z")
I’ve found that the best way not to get stupid answers is not to ask stupid questions. It doesn’t always work of course, because you can get a lot of stupid answers for some very smart questions, but a stupid question will invariably elicit a stupid answer. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/22 "2019-08-25T13:02:36Z")
> [@Ficer67](#): > > I am surprised that I have to explain this to anyone here. I am surprised at all of the responses. I’m suprised that someone can be a member here for 17 years and 1.) not know the inherently snarky nature of the place 2.) not know that you can’t ban people from posting in your threads. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/23 "2019-08-25T13:07:47Z")
> [@Ficer67](#): > > Ok People, > > I am entertaining the thought that I could have done a better job of handling Excavating’s condescending and presumptuous remark. As Mr. Finn has pointed out, I could have said, “Thanks…” and waited for the better response that Dickerman posted. If, however, anyone is going to criticize me for how I handled Excavating’s remarks, then they must criticize Excavating, and all the other people who have commented in his defense, and explain to all of them that people do not need such presumptuous and condescending remarks. I learned how to read in kindergarten, how to write in the first grade, how to add, subtract, multiply and divide by the second grade. I do not need anyone telling me to add, in my head, however many pages are needed, and plug that into a search window, to get to the page that I need. That solution is obvious. Anyone who says anything like what Excavating said is not trying to help anyone. > > I am surprised that I have to explain this to anyone here. I am surprised at all of the responses. Ahhh, the old “all y’all who disagree with me are wrong” approach. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/24 "2019-08-25T13:12:09Z")
> [@Ficer67](#): > > Ok People, > > I am entertaining the thought that I could have done a better job of handling Excavating’s condescending and presumptuous remark. As Mr. Finn has pointed out, I could have said, “Thanks…” and waited for the better response that Dickerman posted. If, however, anyone is going to criticize me for how I handled Excavating’s remarks, then they must criticize Excavating, and all the other people who have commented in his defense, and explain to all of them that people do not need such presumptuous and condescending remarks. I learned how to read in kindergarten, how to write in the first grade, how to add, subtract, multiply and divide by the second grade. I do not need anyone telling me to add, in my head, however many pages are needed, and plug that into a search window, to get to the page that I need. That solution is obvious. Anyone who says anything like what Excavating said is not trying to help anyone. > > I am surprised that I have to explain this to anyone here. I am surprised at all of the responses. I don’t think **excavating’s** reply was condescending or presumptuous at all, and that you were being needlessly harsh. I believe he was genuinely trying to be helpful and that you took it the wrong way. I am genuinely surprised that you don’t see that. You were being needlessly thin-skinned in your responses to him and I am baffled at to why you felt the need to create this thread. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/25 "2019-08-25T13:21:28Z")
> [@Ficer67](#): > > I learned how to read in kindergarten, how to write in the first grade, how to add, subtract, multiply and divide by the second grade. I can’t remember; in which grade did they teach restraint and emotional maturity? > [@Ficer67](#): > > I am surprised that I have to explain this to anyone here. I am surprised at all of the responses. You seem more upset than surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/26 "2019-08-25T14:05:24Z")
> [@Ficer67](#): > > I do not need anyone telling me to add, in my head, however many pages are needed, and plug that into a search window, to get to the page that I need. That solution is obvious. If it was so obvious, why didn’t you mention it in the OP and say that you’re looking for a better solution? We don’t know what you know. I’ve seen plenty of threads where the “obvious” solution is mentioned and the OP responds that they didn’t think of that, or they forgot that option. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/27 "2019-08-25T14:09:26Z")
> [@Ficer67](#): > > Ok People, > > I am entertaining the thought that I could have done a better job of handling Excavating’s condescending and presumptuous remark. As Mr. Finn has pointed out, I could have said, “Thanks…” and waited for the better response that Dickerman posted. If, however, anyone is going to criticize me for how I handled Excavating’s remarks, then they must criticize Excavating, and all the other people who have commented in his defense, and explain to all of them that people do not need such presumptuous and condescending remarks. I learned how to read in kindergarten, how to write in the first grade, how to add, subtract, multiply and divide by the second grade. I do not need anyone telling me to add, in my head, however many pages are needed, and plug that into a search window, to get to the page that I need. That solution is obvious. Anyone who says anything like what Excavating said is not trying to help anyone. > > I am surprised that I have to explain this to anyone here. I am surprised at all of the responses. Huh. I thought it was a reasonable response, honestly. And it’s what I do, in documents I have created with Adobe Acrobat. I just make a point of remembering how many pages the intro is. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/28 "2019-08-25T14:20:16Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > If it was so obvious, why didn’t you mention it in the OP and say that you’re looking for a better solution? We don’t know what you know. I’ve seen plenty of threads where the “obvious” solution is mentioned and the OP responds that they didn’t think of that, or they forgot that option. Yeah, it’s kind of like “Try turning it off and back on” or “Are you sure it’s plugged in?” as the first answer to an IT problem. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/29 "2019-08-25T14:44:21Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > This being a message board named after The Straight Dope, you should expect a certain amount of Cecil Adams-esque attitude and smart-assery in the answers you get. This. Many of Cecil’s responses contained a smart-ass comment in the very first sentence. Is it wrong for Dopers to do the same? ---
**Author:** ![Ficer67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/30 "2019-08-25T14:51:00Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > This. > > Many of Cecil’s responses contained a smart-ass comment in the very first sentence. Is it wrong for Dopers to do the same? If I have to deal with everyone else, then everyone else will have to deal with me. I am through people - there is no reasoning with any of you. There are only a rare few people here that can or will help me. The straightdope is not a message board dedicated to fighting ignorance. It is a message board that harbors it. Peace! ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/31 "2019-08-25T15:01:14Z")
And the flouncing is complete. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/32 "2019-08-25T15:41:18Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Not only was it helpful, but it’s also the only correct answer. > > I’m an IT support professional, been doing it for decades. Helping people with questions like that is what I do. And substantively, that answer is what I would have given. An IT support professional who hasn’t heard of renumbering PDFs, which was even discussed in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/33 "2019-08-25T19:00:00Z")
> [@Ficer67](#): > > If I have to deal with everyone else, then everyone else will have to deal with me. > > I am through people - there is no reasoning with any of you. There are only a rare few people here that can or will help me. The straightdope is not a message board dedicated to fighting ignorance. It is a message board that harbors it. > > Peace! You must be a riot at parties. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/34 "2019-08-25T20:57:34Z")
> [@Ficer67](#): > > If I have to deal with everyone else, then everyone else will have to deal with me. > > I am through people - there is no reasoning with any of you. There are only a rare few people here that can or will help me. The straightdope is not a message board dedicated to fighting ignorance. It is a message board that harbors it. > > Peace! You mad, bro’? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/35 "2019-08-25T22:13:45Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > An IT support professional who hasn’t heard of renumbering PDFs, which was even discussed in the thread. You are correct. I have never heard of using Microsoft Edge to renumber a PDF. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/36 "2019-08-25T22:20:09Z")
You have to read his posts in a haughty Stewie Griffin voice. Very entertaining! ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/37 "2019-08-26T00:52:23Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > You have to read his posts in a haughty Stewie Griffin voice. Very entertaining! Somehow I ended up reading most of the thread with alternating English, French and German accents; that worked quite well for me. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/38 "2019-08-26T01:06:02Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > Somehow I ended up reading most of the thread with alternating English, French and German accents; that worked quite well for me. Next, try mixing them all together. ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/39 "2019-08-26T01:08:01Z")
> [@Ficer67](#): > > Ok (…) > > I am surprised that I have to explain this to anyone here. I am surprised at all of the responses. Paraphrasing Raylan Givens: when you run into an asshole in the morning, you ran into an asshole. When you run into assholes all day you… maybe should reassess things. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159/40 "2019-08-26T03:35:54Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > You have to read his posts in a haughty Stewie Griffin voice. Very entertaining! I had Comic Book Guy, but I can see that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-ban-smart-assed-individuals-who-post-in-my-general-questions/839159.md?page=3)