[asterisk-users] When someone helps you, at least let them know if the problem is resolved or not

[Nic Colledge]

+1 I agree with all of this.

Just wanted to add that there's another good reason for not contacting people off-list and that is when you do so you leave no record of your conversation that others can use in future to solve the same problem.

You can learn a lot just by reading the archives.

Nic.

From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Sherwood McGowan
Sent: 10 May 2011 21:24
To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion
Subject: [asterisk-users] When someone helps you, at least let them know if the problem is resolved or not

I'll keep this brief because I don't want to come across like any more of an a$$ than I absolutely have to, especially since I know I've blown my stack before.....

Gentlemen (and Ladies, if you're out there),

If someone gives you advice on this list, and ESPECIALLY if they give you advice offlist, have the courtesy to (AT THE LEAST) to let them know when/if you get your question answered or your problem solved.

As many people point out, on community supported mailing lists and forums around the world, these user lists are comprised of people who are giving their time freely to help others learn about the software the list is about. Sometimes those lists are about software that is quite useful in a commercial setting, perhaps even very much in demand, like Asterisk. Now, you should always appreciate when you get assistance from people on user lists, but when you're asking for help on a list like this one, (where I'd say 80% of the participants on the list are professionals who earn their living by selling their knowledge of how to install, configure, and maintain a server application like Asterisk) it would be extremely appreciated if you show some courtesy to the individual(s) who assisted you for free. I've had several individuals contact me offlist (without being given permission first, which is first and foremost bad form) and ask for my assistance with configuring a feature, troubleshooting an issue, and once I got an email that said something along the lines of:
"I saw a post on the list where you said you could accomplish insertNiftyFeatureThatDidNotPreviouslyExistHere.... Tell me how to do it"
I'm sure many of you have been the recipient of more than your fair share of emails offlist asking for help, and I'm sure a great number of you try to offer assistance. What is bothering me is the fact there seems to be a new trend forming, wherein I don't get a repsonse from the person I tried to help, even when I can feel confident in saying that I know I gave them the piece of information they needed in order to answer their question and accomplish the goal of making Asterisk perform the way they wanted.....

Has anyone else noticed this trend?

Those of you who are making the requests, is there a reason why you don't feel the need to be courteous and at least say, "Hey that advice worked, everything's working now"?

Next time you ask for help, especially when it's offlist (and even MORE SO when you're contacting someone you weren't invited to contact offlist), I want you to remember that the person you're contacting usually gets paid for their time as an Asterisk professional, and that they're helping you for free. Hell, if you want to get down to brass tacks about it, thatr person who is taking the time to try and help you is increasing his or her own professional competition......


that's all...nothing super rude, but I had to get that one out there.... I get annoyed when I answer about 12-13 questions (all in separate emails, mind you) from someone, and then I never get even find out if I was successful in helping them
--
Sherwood McGowan
Telecommunications and VOIP Consultant
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