[Asterisk-Users] IRC Etiquette

[Steve Szmidt]

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On Monday 26 July 2004 08:10 pm, Mark Woods wrote:
> So here's a suggestion:  chuck the attitude and help where you want, and
> keep quiet when you don't want to assist.  Nobody's forcing anyone to do
> anything here.  Talking down to people just makes you look like an ass, and
> does, in fact, turn others off not only from what is an *excellent*
> application, but from the community itself and that serves NOBODY.
>
> -Mark

Hear! Hear!

It's one thing to earn respect, but another to treat others with respect. 
Or as someone I knew said, treat others the way you'd like them to treat you.

Fortunately we're nothing like some lists where the flames are on high, with a 
light trigger finger.  But I too see way to much attitude. The results of the 
arrogant. As if I walked into your property and you had to defend it against 
unwanted people.

Being really good at something does not automatically give you the right to 
treat people poorly. If anything it should make you more humble, having 
realized how far you had to go, to know what you know.

I've been in computers for over 30 years and I see a lot of dumb things. But I 
try to take my time to answer or I shut up if I don't feel up to it. Hell 
today someone called me asking for Linux help, and he could not even tell if 
he was using Linux or Windows. Realizing he would need a lot of hand holding 
I took the call and told him what list he could go to and get some help. I 
ended with "If you get stuck give me a call".

Now I really don't want to help someone like that right now. I'm too busy. But 
5 minutes of my time gave him a solution, and we're both better for it.

You never know what good can come out of being helpful... That's how I got LA 
County as a customer. Guy calls at 10 past 6 and I'm done for the day. He 
asks really dumb questions, and I think "I got to get rid of this guy".

But I answer him politely and make sure he's better off. At the end he says 
"Oh, by the way. I'm the head of IT for LA County, could you come in and help 
us?

- -- 
Steve

"They that would give up essential liberty for temporary safety deserve
neither liberty nor safety."
                                Benjamin Franklin

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