Expert: Katie - 4/1/2007

Question
QUESTION: I answer questions on the subject of MS Excel.
I have been asked a question quoting an answer that I suspect was obtained from another expert in my field. The questioner seems to have previously asked myself & someone else the same question - cross posted.

Does this site have any policy on such "cross posting", it is certainly frowned upon in all the Forums that I work with.
ANSWER: This is actually the first time I've heard about "cross posting" on this site ... so no, we don't have a policy.

Was this prompted by the question where the Joseph says "I know you didn't answer but expert is maxed out..."?   

Also, forgive my ignorance, but why is it "frowned upon"?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It was prompted by that question and his earlier vague question. It isn't liked on the Forums because i is potentially wasting someone's time answering a question that someone else may have answered, Ken Puls sums it up here:

http://www.excelguru.ca/node/7

Answer
I read Ken Puls' lecture to cross posters. While I understand how this can be annoying to those who field the questions, I can't endorse such a policy on this site because it assumes that there is only one right answer to a particular question and that all those who answer will succeed in being equally helpful to the questioner.

Please know that you are under no obligation whatsoever to answer a question if you believe it is a waste of your time. That's why we've provided the auto-rejection options.

As to Joseph, Ken Marron has already picked up where Adelaide Carvalho left off, so he is already getting the help he needs. Feel free to reject his question or any others you do not feel comfortable with.

Thanks for Volunteering,
Katie
AllExperts.com