Re: To Joseph M. Newcomer

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: Stephen Howe (stephenPOINThoweATtns-globalPOINTcom)
Date: 03/24/04 

Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2004 18:18:34 -0000

> I have been reading your responses to the posts for a long time now.
> You remind of my Maths school teacher who instead of explaining in
> kind words was downright rude.

So what? I am not an MVP but elsewhere I have helped fellow programmers
since 1995. But I do not suffer fools gladly. Any programmer who does not
spend some time in presenting basic obvious information deserves NO help at
all.
Why should those that help, have to painfully beat information out of
programmers? I can remember one guy who persistently gave just monosyllabic
responses. Real taciturn.

Basic obvious information is:

(i) Version of Windows you are using and any applied Service Packs (like
Windows 2000 Professional, SP5)
(ii) Version of products you are using and any applied Service Packs (like
VC6 + SP5, MDAC 2.8, MFC 4.1, SQL Server 7.0+SP3 etc)
(iii) Complete code snippets that compile, where relevant, illustrating the
problem
(iv) Compiler switches, Linker switches where relevant.
(v) Quoting error messages IN FULL in with error codes etc. Copy-and-Paste
is real helpful. Nothing is more irritating than reading a post where all it
says is, "It does not work"? To that, you might reply:

- does it fail to compile? If so, what are the first few error messages?
- does it fail to link? If so, what are the first few error messages?
- does it fail to run? If so, what are the symptoms? Any messages?
If it does fail to run, can the problem be reproduced every time or is the
problem intermittent?
Does it fail on one computer or all computers? If it fails on just one
computer, how does that differ from other computers?

You see, programmers could have given a wealth of detail to help those
trying to help them. "It does not work" is the worst possible response. IMO,
they should leave programming at once, they are too stupid to be a
programmer and take up making coffee tables or pottery.

None of this is rocket science, it is basic obvious prerequisites that
anyone who expects help should give. It is the least you should do. Failing
to give this means that kindness back is optional. I am kind to those that
started right. I am rude to those who appear clueless.

Stephen Howe

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