Please read this [post on meta-stackoverflow.com][1]. The key message is: You have only 16 characters in your title, so don't waste them. Read the [good/bad examples][2] and look if you agree with them. >**2. Keep it short.** >You don't have to put all the details in the title. There's plenty of space to expand your question in the body of the text. >Likewise, don't insist that your title be expressed as a perfectly formed English sentence. >**3. Lead with the most important words.** >[These][3] [articles][4] discuss how people read web pages, based on using an eye tracking system to monitor users. For Stack Overflow-like pages people read most of the first and second entries (the bars of the "F"), and then scan down the rest of the list, reading on average the **first 16 characters of each line.** > >**4. Don't start with "How do I..."** >Writing in that style ensures that you title will fail criteria 1-3, and get less attention than it deserves. >This is a question site, and people will understand your titles are questions. To be fair: There is a certain amount of [people who disagree][5] with this. [1]: http://meta.stackoverflow.com/a/10648/205591 [2]: http://meta.stackoverflow.com/a/10648/205591 [3]: http://www.useit.com/eyetracking [4]: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/reading_pattern.html [5]: http://meta.stackoverflow.com/questions/10647/how-do-i-write-a-good-title#comment19236_10648