Originally Posted by Texrat

I believe it's just the opposite-- the non sequiters are the exception overall.

Originally Posted by qole

The Google Search does not have this problem;

Originally Posted by qole

...and I'm usually there, right in the middle of it.

Originally Posted by fatalsaint

That's exactly the point Tex, and well put...


The perfect example is a question "How do I boot from my SD card?"

There are about (at least) 3 complete How-to's; all different approaches and yet all functional ways to do this. So when I come across this question I have 3 choices:
1) Explain, all over again, all the steps involved in booting. (Sorry.. I don't have the time - or the patience)
2) Do the search the asker should have done first, find the post, copy the link, and give it to him (thus; throwing him the fish; I can only do this so many times before I get bored - and eventually annoyed.)
3) Tell the asker the answer is out there.. he just need to search for it. (easy for me; and provides him direction).

Thus.. many people choose option 3.. we keep our sanity - user at least knows his answer is lurking around here somewhere.. he/she just need find it.

Tablet Scene is built around options 1 or 2.. that's just not my scene . And I know I'm not the only one. I also know this is unfair for new guys - but at the same time... I (we) can't be fixing everyone else's problem, and our own, and still have anything productive for US get done.

And hell.. last I checked - the glass was damn near evaporated .

So in other words as the internet progressed, users regressed. Nice.

Originally Posted by allnameswereout

Theres one important factor you're not including: tone.

If you deal with customers it is very important to keep a nice tone.

Originally Posted by Texrat

I don't think anyone here is paid customer support. Last time I checked, everyone that helps volunteers.

Now, I'm not excusing any outright nastiness. But I do understand some of the testiness that arises. Since these are volunteers we're talking about, and this is not Nokia customer service, the "customers" have at least half a stake in this, too. That means doing their part to avoid wasting the time of those stepping up to help. Surely it's easy to see that saves them time, too.

I'm sure someone will throw out the fact that the people asking many of the questions are unsophisticated in the ways of technical devices, and that's why they're here. I don't accept that on face value. I question anyone who purchases an internet tablet without doing a bit of homework first. Heck, that includes almost any purchase. I don't expect anyone to read a few specs and become instant experts, but on the other hand, they should learn enough to think long and hard before making the purchase. Many of those popping in here turned out to have made impulse purchases, and they take their frustration out on forum members trying to help. They also show no interest in wanting to learn but instead want to be spoonfed. That rubs some people the wrong way.

Originally Posted by allnameswereout

Based on the observed behaviour here and there its clear to me some people here wouldn't function at a job involving customer support.

Originally Posted by allnameswereout

That doesn't mean you should express yourself in the way you want to though. For example, one could ignore a stupid question, or kindly explaining the person the mistake they made, or kindly pointing to a howto which explains how to use the search effectively (or a useful post like the one I pointed at above). If you're not able to do this please don't reply. You're not fit to be in contact with this particular person on this particular subject.

Originally Posted by GeneralAntilles

Don't extrapolate people's behavior online to possible job performance. That's a bit like observing somebody drunk at a party and deciding that they wouldn't be a very good employee. It just doesn't follow.

Originally Posted by GeneralAntilles

Hey, ho, welcome to the Ubuntu forums, where nobody gets an answer on anything! Personally, I'd rather get a snarky remark that points me in a useful direction than no response at all.

Originally Posted by GeneralAntilles

Don't extrapolate people's behavior online to possible job performance. That's a bit like observing somebody drunk at a party and deciding that they wouldn't be a very good employee. It just doesn't follow.

Hey, ho, welcome to the Ubuntu forums, where nobody gets an answer on anything!

Personally, I'd rather get a snarky remark that points me in a useful direction than no response at all.