Questions that are lists of resources

Question

Following our definition question "What are some Korean songs that are useful for learning Korean?", I've posted

Wiki: List of songs that are useful for learning Korean

which is intended to become a list of Korean songs. The model it is intended to follow is something like https://music.stackexchange.com/questions/1838/glossary-of-guitar-effects.

The idea is that

• each answer will mention one song, and the reasons why it may be a good song to study for language learners.
• ideally, each answer will be a community wiki answer
• we can try to get the question turned into a community wiki question (but I think we need a mod to do that for us)

Any comments on how best to manage this question (or this kind of question) - or whether they should be allowed - are welcome!

Answer 1

As there's an answer here that is somewhat negative about the idea of individual resources questions, I'd like to suggest that actually, most resources questions seem fine!

Just to address a few points from the other answer,

Are there any definitive answers in [resource questions]? They are all primarily opinion-based. How do you define good or best? What makes Naver dictionary better than Daum dictionary? That's your opinion.

There's not a clear line between "primarily opinion-based" and "good subjective", but I think many of these kinds of questions could be seen as "good subjective". They won't be opinion-based in the same way as "favourite song" - people will be able to suggest resources that have measurably helped them.

SE doesn't encourage a question that helps only an asker and a few others (which is too localized). Is there anyone who doesn't have resources to study Korean? A question for resources is too localized.

We now have 10 or more questions that have the resources tag, all with multiple upvotes and many with 100 or more views. This concern has proved somewhat unfounded, I think.

SE doesn't encourage a question requesting for a list.

True - but we've some evidence now that list answers can work here, so that's not a reason to disallow them. There are lots of worthwhile types of questions that the SE format doesn't work perfectly for.

Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

That's potentially the best thing about resources questions!

Answer 2

Probably, this issue has been one of the most controversial issues debated all across the Stack Exchange sites. There are pros and cons and they have their own reasonable and understandable arguments. My answer boils down to the following points:

SE is not intended for a discussion forum. Questions that can generate only opinion-based answers are always closed across SE. Its format doesn't encourage any discussion in an answer and comments. It encourages definitive answers and on-topic comments. Now, let's say a user asked "what is a good (the best) dictionary for learning a Korean?" such as What is a good digital Korean-English dictionary?.

There are two answers.

(1) Use Naver. (2) Dictionary app in Mac.

Wait a minute. Daum dictionary is better than Naver. No, there are not many Mac users. You can just use Naver or Daum dictionaries instead of using the dictionary app in Mac.

Are there any definitive answers in the above? They are all primarily opinion-based. How do you define good or best? What makes Naver dictionary better than Daum dictionary? That's your opinion.

SE doesn't encourage a question requesting for a list. The reason is an answer could be too long and too broad depending on a question asked.

SE doesn't encourage a general reference question. If I can find a resource for your question, you can find it on your own. You and I both use the internet. What else? Here is the list for Korean English dictionaries. Pick one and don't ask here.

SE doesn't encourage a question that helps only an asker and a few others (which is too localized). Is there anyone who doesn't have resources to study Korean? A question for resources is too localized.

I like the wordings of Chinese SE Help Center that read:

Can I ask for resources?

The short answer is: No, but it depends.

Subjective questions (lists, asking for opinions, polls), are off-topic on the main SE sites, because they do not fit the Q&A format in place.

We should draw a clear line between the two following questions:

Should not be allowed: What is a good (the best) website/dictionary/reference/Korean song to study Korean?

vs

Could be allowed: I have tried this and that (prior research). But I don't think this resource has this explained (specific issue and point that needs clarifying). Can you recommend other resources that has this better-explained (clear comparison between the resources)?

As previously mentioned in another post, there are not many resources helping Korean learners on the internet. If we can make one or a few canonical post which will be updated whenever there is a new resource found by a user, we don't need to worry so much about a question requesting for resources. That's what other SE language sites are doing. There is no harm in following other language sites on SE. They have the same platform and format.

Q&A is Hard, Let's Go Shopping! by the founder of SE

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. "Every question and answer ultimately should be about teaching and learning -- yes, even the shopping ones.

(All emphases mine)