I personally don't have anything against it **if it's done well**.

I know Jeff has said before (I don't have the text to hand, so I'm sorry if I mis-para-phrase you, Jeff) that he's not too keen on active-cross posting. From all points of view, it's better if you can pick the one best home first and see how you get on.

Not just talking about Ubuntu (I'm also a trusted-user on StackOverflow), when I have a big problem, it's usually a blocker for me. I need to get things done and if I can't, it has a very real impact on my hourly wage. I need help ASAP. Selfish, but true.

As an example, if I have a problem with Python or Django, I'll punt a question up onto StackOverflow and then trawl IRC (linking to the post - because that usually has a better explanation). I find the mix of experts usually gets the issue solved fast, and gets me back to work.

With Ubuntu, I used to be a fairly active UbuntuForums poster. When I started here, I would very often post something here or there and then cross-link, or again, use IRC.

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That's a lot of background for a simple question but I think I'd be a hypocrite if I slammed every cross-posted question as some sort of duplicate.

I do think it's important that things are maintained though. By starting a question here, you're creating a social contract; you're asking people for help and if they see an answered question, they might put [considerable] time into giving you a good answer. If you get an answer somewhere else and don't update your thread here, you're wasting our users' time.

My view on basic guidelines would be:

 - ##Find the best location for your question.

   There are a lot of StackExchange sites, some more active than others. Rememebr that activity is a double-edged sword. For example, questions on the front-page of StackOverflow are on the second page within a few minutes. On a slower, site, even if there are fewer users, more people might see your question.

 - ##If you do cross-post, cross-link them!

   Child posts should have links to the original post and if you can, try to keep the parent posts updated with a list of places you've cross-posted it to. This means that users of any site can quickly see if there have been any answers. Or post their answer on the main thread.

   If you're honest and up-front about it, we [moderators] are going to get fewer flags about it. People can track things and see if your other thread has any answers.

 - ##Update all your threads as soon as one gets a result.

   This is probably the most important point. They you're questions so it's your responsibility to tell users on all the sites when you no longer need help. Doing this means they're not going to waste time fixing something that is already fixed.

    Do this by either answering your own question with a link to the other answer, or in the case of IRC, say what's happened, giving the user credit.

    Chances are you won't be able to accept your own question if you're answering it yourself, so just flag it up and we can close it for you.


As a deterrent against poor cross-posting, if we notice you cross-posting without taking these steps seriously, we'll give you a warning. Twice and we'll take action to protect our users from you wasting their time.