[Asterisk-Users] List tips for new subscribers <--sorry for 2 nd post, missed this.

[Andrew Kohlsmith]

On February 23, 2005 12:43 pm, Colin Anderson wrote:
> (after all, they are only human) So, try to give them leeway. There are
> other ways to drive your point home instead of flaming. (not you,
> specifically, but I have seen it and have had it pointed at me, as well)

Exactly -- that is why I said I typically do not get my back up unless it's a 
repeated infraction of ettiquette.  Just like with children, sometimes 
"<smack>  Don't hit your sister!" is exactly the right way to drive the point 
home.  Some people just do not "get" words so they must be shown how poor 
composition makes for poor legibility and poor understanding.

> Their part in subscribing to this list is to help, if they choose. You
> can't help by immediately pouncing on the guy for not inline-posting, by
> saying "Google for it you idiot" etc. I understand the argument about not
> researching, but how does the poster convey whether they have done so or
> not? You don't know. Sometimes, I see a guy get flamed simply because he's
> not a native english speaker, and he can't correctly articulate what he is
> asking for.

See my response above, but additionally I want to add that I can typically 
"feel out" when someone's done their homework, even if through broken 
English.  While not 100%, I'd easily say my bullshit detector is upwards of 
90% accurate.  Steve had a good metric -- the level of detail the poster's 
writing about.  Wildly general typically means no effort exerted.

> LESSON FOR PRO: Leave your ego at the door. Realize that, yes, people ask
> shortcut questions and there are some VC types on the list that want the
> $$$ but don't want to do the work. Ignore them. Carry on. When you flame,

Don't ignore them.  Send them a rate sheet.  I've gotten several good "jobs" 
by doing this.  They're not afraid of paying, but you have to ask.  

This also very quickly separates the wheat from the chaff.  :-)

-A.