Can you really be reported for this?

Question

Yesterday somebody asked a question about Wuthering Heights, asking us about the meaning, tone and significance to the story of a few quotes for their homework. They didn't give sufficient information for me to tell them the tone or significance, either. I told them this, and requested that they please do their own homework.

Well apparently, they reported me to be in violation of the Community Guidelines, and I'm not sure that's fair. (It said that I didn't provide an actual answer. But the questioner really didn't even provide enough information for me to answer with, anyway.) Can you really be reported for that? Should I follow the link to say that I think it's a mistake, or just let it go? Because I'm a little ticked, and I want second opinions on it.

(Maybe I'm in the wrong section, too. But I thought I'd ask here because that's the section the "violation" *rolls eyes* occured in, and maybe somebody else in here has experienced the same thing.)

Answer 1

Did you just get a violation notice?  If that's the case, then apparently a YA Staff member saw your answer and decided that it didn't fit with the guidelines for whatever reason.  If someone actually reports you, you will get a notice that specifically says that you have been reported.  

Answer 2

You can be reported for anything... the higher ups are supposed to look at it on a case by case basis but there are so many reports that they can't scrreen them all so some they just let go through unchceked.

Answer 3

That's rather ridiculous. The volume of people on here looking for others to do their homework for them is astounding.

Did you by chance insult Twilight? ;)

Answer 4

     Your reply sounds perfectly reasonable to me.  You will find these idiots who take exception to your advice.  I ran into this with one moron who wanted advice on his writing.  It was so bad;  everything was bad.  Grammar, spelling, syntax, you name it.  All I suggested was that he should grab a book of English grammar and study it.  He took great exception to this.  He didn't report me, but he sent me a stinking E-mail.  Why do these people ask advice if they don't have the guts to accept it?  I quite agree with you.  I'd be ticked as well.  I'd be tempted to explain my answer.  These people shouldn't be asking questions if they can't stomach the answer(s).

Good luck

Mike B

Answer 5

Yes, you can be reported for the very mysterious infraction called 'no question, no answer.' At least that's what it used to be called. I appealed every time I got one, and asked repeatedly where I find out exactly what that rule is... believe me, I've studied the community guidelines... a lot.

I found no place that told me about that 'guideline' or rule. But 'they' do nab you on it if you tell a person to do their own work. The way around it is to give some partial answer, then tell the person to do their own work: a tip from one who used to also think that Homework questions belong in the Homework catergory.

As you know, Yahoo is under a lot of pressure re: finances and takeovers, so don't expect a lot of 'sense' where the 'dollars' are short.

Answer 6

No because atleast u answered truely

Answer 7

Just Kelsey, I've received violation notices for exactly the same thing. I've protested twice but YA has not reversed itself. They consider "do your own homework" replies, even those which include sources for the answers they seek here, to be non-answers, apparently.

I disagree, but it's their playground.

Answer 8

Yes, if you tick off the person they can report a violation on you. The system stinks. I got reported and they wouldn't even tell me what it was other than to say, read the guidelines. What? That's helps?

Answer 9

sorry to hear it, but unfortunately yes. It goes under the "it's not a question or an answer" offense, along with "I do not know", "do not ask me/us", "find the answer yourself" and so on. You are supposed to answer the question, if you do not know the answer or unwilling to provide it, you should not say so:

Chatting or otherwise violating the question-and-answer format.Yahoo! Answers is a community of questions and answers, not a chat room. If a post is neither a question nor an answer, it doesn’t belong here. If you’re looking for a place to chat with others, try Yahoo! Groups or Yahoo! Messenger Chat Rooms.

http://answers.yahoo.com/info/community_...

it is useless to appeal, but you are welcome to try to have your own experience.

Other things you can be reported for: using the names of the asker when replying, saying "hi" or "hello", being too personal, venting or replying/commenting on already posted replies.

Answer 10

people will report you for all kinds of stupid stuff. my aunt likes to answer in the politics section, she is not very found of obama and says so frequently. she's had her account suspended like ten times.

Answer 11

You can be violated for almost anything, and appealing the decision is a waste of time. I've had several violations, including one for "chatting". Just ignore it, and avoid questions that are unclear or lacking info. The best way to get the message through to people who post these questions is to not answer.  

Answer 12

you really shoudnt be reported, but maybe that person was just feeling vindictive. its kind of a stupid reason to report, but a lot of people are really immature and get pouty over the dumbest things. unfortunately you might just have to take it w/out a fight because it really wont do anything good or bad to you. i know its extremely aggravating when you are just telling the truth.