OracleBlog

There are a lot of people who know Oracle. It makes sense to leverage their abilities when you're stuck. Why re-invent the wheel?

First of all, often answers are easy to come by yourself. For example, here is Jeff Hunter's suggestions on where to find answers:

http://marist89.blogspot.com/2005/06/where-can-i-find-help.html

If you want to reach a large body of Oracle professionals, the best approach is to post it to a popular newsgroup or forum. Here are a few of my favourites.

Oracle Technology Network:
http://forums.oracle.com/forums/forum.jsp?forum=75

comp.databases.oracle.server:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/comp.databases.oracle.server

DBA-Support:
http://www.dbasupport.com/forums/

Dizwell Forum:
http://www.phpbbserver.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=2&mforum=dizwellforum

It is tempting to contact certain professionals directly. After all, there are several of them that spend seemingly hours answering questions in these forums, and putting together web pages to assist fellow Oracle professionals.

But be aware that some of them do not have the time (or sometimes the interest) in answering questions, like Mark Rittman or Duncan Mills.

http://www.rittman.net/archives/001276.html
http://www.groundside.com/blog/content/DuncanMills/
2005/06/16/Questions_Questions.html

And be aware that those that do like to receive questions may have a specific method of submitting them, such as Tom Kyte and Steven Feuerstein:

http://asktom.oracle.com
http://www.oracle.com/technology/pub/columns/plsql/index.html

If you do ask someone a question, it sounds like these are the ground rules to follow:

1. Don't even bother submitting urgent questions with time deadlines.
2. Even if English isn't your first language, try to make the question as clear as possible.
3. Try to keep the question brief, but ...
4. Try to provide all necessary information, including examples and error messages
5. Don't ask questions that are obviously school assignments
6. Include "why" you are doing something.

http://tkyte.blogspot.com/2005/05/why.html

But the most important thing is:

Always try to find the answer yourself first!

Loosely Related:
http://vollman.blogspot.com/2005/04/roberts-tips-on-asking-for-help-1.html