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I voted this and this question to be closed as off topic, but I really can't find the appropriate reason in the off-topic list.

Both options I would use ("specific problem" and "minimal understanding") say "Questions concerning problems with code you've written..." but not all questions need to be about code but they can still be off topic ("This question...within the scope defined in the help center").

My questions:

  1. How we should flag these questions (assuming they're off-topic and I'm not wrong about it)?

  2. Option "...general computing hardware and software..." may apply but currently I wouldn't use it because of "...unless they directly involve tools used primarily for programming...". Is it the proper way to use it?

  3. I would use "Other..." option but just to say "check for another SE site, in this moment I don't remember which one is more appropriate and I don't have time to search for it"?

share|improve this question
    
I would just assume that "code you've written" means "code you've written or want to write". Eventually, there needs to be some code involved somewhere, right? – Aaron Bertrand Jul 26 '13 at 15:14
    
I think "too broad" is appropriate for both of those, particularly the first one; that is basically asking for a guide, which is certainly not something answerable with a single answer. – Joe Jul 26 '13 at 15:16
    
I think that they are now closed for the appropriate reasons. For whatever that is worth. ;-) – Cody Gray Jul 26 '13 at 15:20
    
@AaronBertrand Probably you're right, I just find them too "strong" (especially for new users) when I just would like to say "sorry, wrong place" but this may be because I'm not an English speaker! Moreover often I don't feel a question is off-topic even when there is not (so far...) any code involved – Adriano Repetti Jul 26 '13 at 15:20
    
Some of the close reasons offer hints to help the OP find the right place, but ultimately the onus is on the asker to figure out which site/forum/documentation has the right answers. Your desire to help with that process is noble, but you may find that you can communicate the same information via comments. – George Cummins Jul 26 '13 at 15:24
    
Well if it's not related to code, then that specific off-topic reason isn't valid, but one of the other ones must be, right? – Aaron Bertrand Jul 26 '13 at 15:24
    
@AaronBertrand GeorgeCummins yes and I may write a comment but I found I'm often lazy to do it when I may do everything with few clicks :) – Adriano Repetti Jul 26 '13 at 15:28
    
Well I don't know if I agree that doing something wrong because you're too lazy to do it right is a good thing, but ok – Aaron Bertrand Jul 26 '13 at 15:32
    
@AaronBertrand LOL I mean that if I need to use it too often (how many questions are closed because of that?) then we may need an extra option; I suppose comments are for "exceptional/uncommon" situations (otherwise a generic "off-topic" option with an optional comment would be enough). I just feel this may confuse new users about what they ask and how they should do it. – Adriano Repetti Jul 26 '13 at 15:34
    
If you're worried about them being confused, write a comment. It couldn't possibly take more effort than the effort you've spent right here. – Aaron Bertrand Jul 26 '13 at 15:38
    
@AaronBertrand I may agree for these two questions but it'll be the same problem tomorrow for others and the day after tomorrow... (I hope this question won't be open so long) – Adriano Repetti Jul 26 '13 at 15:45
    
You don't need to be the janitor for every single question. – Aaron Bertrand Jul 26 '13 at 15:47

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