We see the need for CAPTCHA technologies on various sites to prove the form is filled out by a human and not a computer. We need CAPTCHA-like technology to prove that certain questions are asked after following industry etiquette. I think this "CAPTCHA" is well-encapsulated by the concept of "due diligence." It's a good start, anyway.

I've got a really interesting SQLServerCentral link for you. It's the search for the term "due diligence" on SQLServerCentral: Have a look at it.

First, note that only 65 results are found. Maybe in 2010, we can ramp that up to 6,500. Note some of the quotes from the results: "I have done my due diligence so I would like feedback..." - Now that's good stuff. We need more of that.

My first professional job as a programmer put me in a small (12 or so) group of mid to senior-level programmers. Right away they let me know that there was etiquette when asking for help. Following it seemed natural. I was glad to know and follow the rules. It led to better relationships and made me feel better about learning from others.

The etiquette went something like this:

First, do some due diligence on your own. Second, be prepared to ask informed questions that demonstrate your due diligence. Third, go back and apply the advice on your own to demonstrate you're not asking someone to do your work for you. Repeat if necessary. The positive attitude component was a required given.

I think the etiquette I learned is fairly universal.

Since learning the etiquette, and helping ramp up junior-level team members, I pass this etiquette along - and enforce it - if you will.

That's fairly easy to do in-house. Doing that on the internet is a bigger challenge. But then again, maybe it's a matter slightly tweaking our habits as helpers.

I think it's entirely fair - and, more strongly stated, better for all involved, if a question is asked online which is suspect for lacking the industry etiquette, that a leading question be fired back such as "what due diligence have you done?" Or, "Not seeing your due diligence, I'll give you this: <a little advice>. If you can show me more due diligence, then I'll suggest some more." I don't see this being done a whole lot. Why not?

Some sites offer rank and prestige for answering questions regardless of any lack of etiquette or regardless of the quality of the questions. Some of this has to be seen as feeding the problem.

I think that along with systems for ranking answers - there should be a system for ranking the questions themselves - so we can let poorly-formulated questions fall to the bottom and let well-formulated questions bubble up to the top.

So ultimately the "industry etiquette CAPTCHA" is in the hands of the helper to put in place.