A message for every programmer in the world. Bar none.
-
True story. On another site, I was an MVP. They sent me a mug. I actually felt guilty for "earning" it because it was by answering the same question over and over and over and over and over. It gets annoying that the questioner cannot be bothered to search for an answer to his question before asking. Even searching can help him better formulate his questions, since he can say why other people's solutions don't work for him. I won't deny occasionally becoming exasperated with questioners and I have pretty much stopped answering questions. But you have to realize, the problem goes both ways.
Brent
Brent, How far did you go to retrain them? At an old company, we had Free 800 Support, but it was supposed to be after using the help system. Nobody would check the help system because we were there, on the ready. I retrained the help staff to forcibly walk the users through finding all known solutions in the help system. Then we would have the users read back the short version of the answer "This situation can be fixed in 4 steps...". It worked, within 6 months, our call volume dropped to manageable levels. In this case, I would reply with things like: If you searched for X+Y+Z, these results would have helped you If you searched for A+B+C, these results would have helped you So, I think any of those above answers will solve your problem. If not, ask again with more details. == The concept is training them to think for themselves. Also, if they realize you are going to answer the questions that way, they WILL search first! (Eventually) And thanks for helping others out!
-
Can anyone explain to me why some people, especially technical people, seem to be devoid of manners and tolerance ? I've published a few things around the net, and seem to find that people are so judgmental and opinionated. They seem to have very little tolerance for anyone new, especially those who dare to ask basic questions. I've been in the programming and software business for over 20 years, got my PhD in AI, worked for all types of companies big and small, in all types of industries (last 10 years in video games, for Ubisoft, EA etc), and I still can not believe the responses and comments I get. As experienced professionals, I see it as our job to encourage good practises, processes and techniques for any type of programmer or engineer. After all, we are users of software ourselves, so it's in our interest to teach the next generation how to code, so we don't end up waiting 10 minutes to log in to play UFC mobile (the last game I worked on). Let's break this tradition of acting like egotistical morons every time someone asks a question that we think is too simple or basic. Or even if "googling it" would provide an answer. To the pedantic squad ... Do something good today, and help a newbie on their path to success, and while you are at it, take your head out of your proverbial and realize you are not the greatest living programmer on planet Earth. You are a representative of a fascinating mysterious club of intellectuals who are shaping the future of mankind, hand on your knowledge to the next generation with politeness and understanding. To the empathetic squad... Continue to be sagacious and erudite, never become intransigent, listen and learn and keep an open mind. Enjoy the fact that someone panicking about a deadline that is just a few hours away, is blessing your patience and understanding and will be eternally grateful for just a few snippets of helpful knowledge. And remember, all of us, we are in a position of great power, soon we will be replaced by AI ourselves, and that AI will probably be modeled on the way we act today. So let's be nice, and treat others as we hope the AI of the future will treat us ! Thanks you!
Marcus, people are stupid. And lazy. And don't even try to solve problem - they cry like a child - "mom, heeelp!". It's infantile behaviour and what's sad they continue to behave like that even being 40 y/o! So I don't allow lazy morons to WASTE MY TIME. If question is simple, GOOGLE IT! Right now. Time is priceless and we should save it for bigger things!
-
I think we can add a couple more on to this list: 1. This may be a stereotype or a generalization, but I suspect the tech field appeals to a certain type of person with a certain type of brain chemistry. As an example, introverts, individuals with social anxieties, and/or Asperger's. Often these people don't have the best social skills. I know I fall under this grouping. 2. There's an inherent degree of competition in our field that leaves many developers feeling insecure in their position and/or knowledge (see "imposter syndrome"). It's quite likely that these developers use the Q&A model to (verbally) cut down the competition and prove their superiority.
Interesting points ... You know what? Halfway through I wanted to disagree... But somehow you convinced me that they have some relevance! :-D
All in one Menu-Ribbon Bar DirectX for WinRT/C# since 2013! Taking over the world since 1371!
-
Can anyone explain to me why some people, especially technical people, seem to be devoid of manners and tolerance ? I've published a few things around the net, and seem to find that people are so judgmental and opinionated. They seem to have very little tolerance for anyone new, especially those who dare to ask basic questions. I've been in the programming and software business for over 20 years, got my PhD in AI, worked for all types of companies big and small, in all types of industries (last 10 years in video games, for Ubisoft, EA etc), and I still can not believe the responses and comments I get. As experienced professionals, I see it as our job to encourage good practises, processes and techniques for any type of programmer or engineer. After all, we are users of software ourselves, so it's in our interest to teach the next generation how to code, so we don't end up waiting 10 minutes to log in to play UFC mobile (the last game I worked on). Let's break this tradition of acting like egotistical morons every time someone asks a question that we think is too simple or basic. Or even if "googling it" would provide an answer. To the pedantic squad ... Do something good today, and help a newbie on their path to success, and while you are at it, take your head out of your proverbial and realize you are not the greatest living programmer on planet Earth. You are a representative of a fascinating mysterious club of intellectuals who are shaping the future of mankind, hand on your knowledge to the next generation with politeness and understanding. To the empathetic squad... Continue to be sagacious and erudite, never become intransigent, listen and learn and keep an open mind. Enjoy the fact that someone panicking about a deadline that is just a few hours away, is blessing your patience and understanding and will be eternally grateful for just a few snippets of helpful knowledge. And remember, all of us, we are in a position of great power, soon we will be replaced by AI ourselves, and that AI will probably be modeled on the way we act today. So let's be nice, and treat others as we hope the AI of the future will treat us ! Thanks you!
In my opinion: On-line postings tend to bring out the worst in many people for some reason. Some times, because we can't see the facial expression or hear the tone of voice, the posting becomes negative even when not intended that way. The fact that we've now gotten to where some don't even use words, they've gone back to the per-literate days of pictographs (emojis and the like), is a major problem. They can't take the time to give a complete, unhurried answer while "keeping a civil tongue" in their heads. E-mail and postings tend to be done in a manner not consistent with proper written correspondence; they seem to encourage errors of grammar, spelling, usage and a lack of politeness. The writers appear to have not made it past 2nd or 3rd grade English class. However, I've been in the computer industry for 50 years and can state that people displaying all the negatives you mention have been behaving in those ways for at least as long as I've been involved. In fact even longer. My father started with these beasts in 1934 (Electronic Accounting Machines) and told of unpleasant, mean spirited, uncooperative, and unsharing people even then. I fully second your request for civil, cooperative behavior by those in all areas of computing.
Charles Wolfe C. Wolfe Software Engineering