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

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On Tue, May 10, 2011 at 4:23 PM, Sherwood McGowan
<sherwood.mcgowan at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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