I just reviewed the rules and guidelines, and I can't find anything to discourage the recent influx of members who post only when they need help with their project/homework/debate/anything school-related. Of course, I don't mean using AD as a resource tool - I'm using some of the links in the separation of church/state thread for my presentation on the same topic - but I get annoyed by the "help me with my homework" topics, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Most of the time, the topics aren't completely unconstructive, so... there's really nothing I can ask people to do. But Jaime/Mike... how's about a little amendment under Guideline Recommendations stating: "Do not use America's Debate or the members of America's Debate to help you with your homework?"

No. Think we should allow people to ask for help. If they are doing something that requires many views on a subject, then America's Debate is a good place to get it from many people.

Thanks for the suggestion, Suzy. For the record, this is something we've been considering for the rules/guidelines update.

It seems to be a better guideline than a rule. The way we see it is if someone comes in and poses a unique and clear question to debate that is always acceptable. If it happens to help someone move along a project then there is little we could do to stop that. If someone is obviously only here to use us and not actually debate with us then their thread will be closed and the poster warned.

I'm currently going for my doctorate in History, could someone please write me a 320 page thesis on the effects of the treaty of westphalia upon modern Flemish society???? k thnxbye

Sorry couldn't resist, those posts annoy me as well.

People asking for help is what I feel should be discouraged. While there may be some members who are willing to assit others, the members as a whole are not study partners or parents. This is a debate site -- not a homework assistance program.

If they are looking for different views on a subject, by all means they should be able to use America's Debate as a tool. The difference though is in using the site as a tool and using the members as tools.

There is a caveat I used to give to my older children, when they asked me to answer a homework question:

(My youngest always asks her mother for help - she doesn't trust my memory!)

For help if you really need help in like math or something use this link http://www.tutor.com/knowitnow

The official policy on this is now posted in the Survival Guide.

Thanks for the input, everyone.

Mike