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Before I get started, I want to say that I'm fine with discussing this issue, but I will never post a question here again.
I'm very sad that none of yous seem to understand this issue.
I posted this to get some discussion going around the topic, and because I have been genuinely turned off by the responses of what I'll call "senior members" here (describing anyone who responds to calls for help here on a regular basis, for the lack of a better term). I've felt abused myself, and seen so many instances of snarky responses from senior members to other posters that it's made me absolutely sick to my stomach.
A few things to address:
One of the posters above asked me to stand in your shoes when asking for help. I've always done that, and as someone with an intermediate level of experience I've tried to help here when possible as well. For instance, when it comes to graphic design I doubt that there's more than a handful or more knowledgeable or capable folks on this forum than I. There's not a lot of questions about this on this forum, but I try to help whenever I can.
What I'm trying to say is that I know what this feels like. I work as a corporate trainer, and I know what it's like to try and solve a problem when you don't have enough information to do so. It can be frustrating when you can't help, but exhilarating when your response does improve the situation.
Along the same line of thinking, I don't think responders put themselves in the shoes of the person asking the question often enough (or at all) in this forum. That Lerura's comment seemed "relatively innocent" to some of the users here is downright sad, in my opinion. The people who post here fall into three categories:
A.) Teaching themselves coding as a hobby for fun or mental exercise;
B.) Teaching themselves coding because they cannot afford a formal education in the field, but have a practical application for it in their work or personal lives; or
C.) Students at various levels of the education system learning coding in order to apply it as a means of professional existence.
In any category, the people who are responding have probably been at one stage or another in their own lives. I know once you do something for a living or for fun long enough, it's difficult to remember what it was like when you were starting out, but could you at least try? Any person in these categories deserves our respect.
I'm well aware this is a high-stress field, and the people helping here are volunteers. I appreciate that people are willing to give of themselves to help out; however, senior members here seem to be lacking in compassion. I would challenge any of you here to admit, with a straight face, that you have never seen a posting where a response was short, rude, or insulting.
This is exactly my point-- that type of rudeness and snarkiness is far too common on this forum, to the point where it's turning people off of posting here at all. Doing something for the good of others has to come from the heart. There is no room for sarcasm or belittling.
With all of this in mind, I'd like to suggest a few things for your consideration:
1.) All users asking a question, no matter how basic or simple, are entitled to respect and understanding. If you see someone you know well talking down to a poster, get in touch with them and let them know this is not okay. PM them, call, text, e-mail, whatever.
2.) With those "do it for me" type of posts-- understand that many people who ask for this usually want to learn, but do not phrase their question well. Give them the tools to solve their problems, and have patience with them. Often times, you need to see how something is done in the first place before you can do it yourself.
3.) This is not free help desk support. The people here are not here for free tech work or to build your projects for you. If you use this site as such, you forfeit all your rites to being treated with respect. There is a line between asking for an example and asking for something to be built for you. That said, if you feel that someone is abusing the system, get in touch with them and help them out, preferably by PM. Let them know how to best phrase their questions to get helpful and respectful responses. I think this job is best done by the admins and mods.
4.) Above all else, speak professionally and appropriately in all circumstances when helping a user. Not only does this make you seem more trustworthy as a source, but it will encourage users to continue their personal development.
My frustration with Lerura stems from multiple occurences of this over a long period of time. I know that I'm not the only one who's felt this vexation, and I certainly won't be the last person to leave the forums because of mistreatment by senior users.
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What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Last edited by dougcollins02; 06-06-2012 at 06:37 PM..
Reason: tone and grammar
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