[plug] Commercial Help in LUGs

[Jon Miller]

Peter, I can see where you are coming from.  But keep in mind a lot of folks especially newbies do not understand some of the docs that come with the various apps. This is especially true when someone is just learning the OS. God knows most programmers are the worst writers when it comes to documentation (please no flame on this statement it is a general statement), they know what to do in the technical area but some unfortunately cannot relay this in a document.
Using search engines are fine as long as you know how to phrase the question and this too takes some learning. If a question is being asked and it was answered a while back a statement or pointer to that would suffice.  In the MySQL UG, they are constantly using the urls links to the page in the manual where one can read up on their question. If they still did not understand most folks are quick to help.  I've seen replies to others questions that have replied with  "RTFM", and personally I  think that is just a poor response.  But then you may have to consider the source too.  Would you tell a client to RTFM if they ask a simple question over the phone? Do you expect to get paid for every question you're asked?  I have a policy, if I can answer the question quickly no problem.  If I have to spend a great deal of time looking it up then it's chargeable.  I think there is a limit to everything but mainly it's a judgement call.  But being rude isn't one of the traits that makes for a good UG.  I've been involved in UGs since the beginning of the BBS days and I've seen the good, bad and ugly users.  But I always remind myself that I too was a newbie and in some apps still am.  I'm always reminded the horse needs its tail more than once to swish the flies from its ass.

 

Jon L. Miller, MCNE, CNS
Director/Sr Systems Consultant
MMT Networks Pty Ltd
http://www.mmtnetworks.com.au

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure
 is trying to please everybody." -Bill Cosby



>>> PeterNicol at vrl.com.au 6:39:31 PM 20/02/2003 >>>
>  I agree with Jon here, there is so much more you can learn from people that
>  are doing real work with Linux than people tinkering (however seriously) at
>  home, and that its quite acceptable to ask for help on commercial issues.

I kinda agree, and kinda disagree.  If people were forbidden from, or flamed for,
posting 'commercial' questions to the list, then it would rapidly cease to be
interesting and useful.  Indeed, one of the selling points on Linux et al is it's
'community support'.

However, I do get a little peeved when I see what I consider 'lazy' attitudes to
the list, like people using it as a first port of call, instead of doing a google
search or reading the manual.

I kind of like the approach on the OpenBSD lists that I used to be on.  If you
asked a stupid question or one that had an answer in an obvious place (like the
manual) then you got flamed harshly.  Really harshly.  I am fine with this, but
obsd tends to be a 'serious' os, not really played with by hobbiests.

Linux is a friendlier community, but I don't think that we should tolerate being
used by lazy people and exploited.  Beyond a certain point, if you are getting
paid (often $100 or more an hour), and more often than not have to consult with
unpaid hobbiests to do your job, then you need to take a long hard look at
yourself.  Especially if you don't contribute much back.

However, it is up to each individual on the list how they react to lazy or stupid
questions, and how far they want to help someone.  I am uncomfortable with some
attitudes on the list, and wouldn't use the list in the way some do, but, it is
impossible to criticize someone for helping someone else.

I have had commercial type questions as well as hobbiest questions answered on the
list, and I think I have probably helped others in both situations on the odd
occasion.  I think the community is pretty well self-regulating and tolerant of a
wide range of views and personalities.