[conspire] I get mail

[Rick Moen]

How shallow _is_ that ol' gene pool, anyway?




Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 00:29:32 -0700
From: Rick Moen <rick at linuxmafia.com>
To: kevin hodge <kr.hodge at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Bitpim help
X-Mas: Bah humbug.
User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.6+20040907i

Quoting kevin hodge (kr.hodge at gmail.com):

> Hi my name is Kevin
>  I just wondering if you can help me out using bitpim.

[snip remainder of detailed help request, sent in private mail to me and
Eric Raymond]

Hi, Kevin!

Quick, what does it say on http://bitpim.sourceforge.net/#contacts
immediately to the right of "Before posting anywhere, please take the
time to read this article on 'How to Ask Questions the Smart Way'"?

> Thank you for all your help in advance.

You're welcome in advance -- but please quote me that text.





Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 04:06:47 -0400
From: kevin hodge <kr.hodge at gmail.com>
To: Rick Moen <rick at linuxmafia.com>
Subject: Re: Bitpim help

[snip "quoted-printable" garbage and doubling of post in HTML format]

Gotcha rick. I actually did read that article and probably constructed my
question the wrong way!
 My main question is regarding the OWS directory in the latest version
Bitpim under the file system tab. now from i could tell it looks like it ha s
to do with changing the wap settings for your phone. however the files are
all zero bytes has absolutly nothing in them. . Now im feeling that area is
untapped don't take my word for it but i have searched
forums and more forums, and search engines for answers and came up empty
handed. this was actually my last place.
i have actually decided to email you after turning up with nothing i have
tried everything to change wap on my phone. then i looked deeper into bit
pim and found those settings.
 My question is if those settings under the OWS tab can be used to change
wap settings on your phone. Im using the LG5450 from telus?
 your help will be appreciated sorry for the mix up earlier.
 Kevin
P.S i have tried to following your rules on asking questions to the best of
my knowledge .

[snip my entire previous post, pointlessly quoted]





Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 10:52:53 -0700
From: Rick Moen <rick at linuxmafia.com>
To: kevin hodge <kr.hodge at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Bitpim help
X-Mas: Bah humbug.
User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.6+20040907i

Quoting kevin hodge (kr.hodge at gmail.com):

> Gotcha rick. I actually did read that article and probably constructed my
> question the wrong way!

I'm disappointed that you didn't quote me that text, as I requested.  It
was:

   (Note they do NOT provide support, just guidelines on how to ask
   questions/get support and get the best responses.)

You say you "read the article" (i.e., my and Eric's "How to Ask Questions
the Smart Way"):  What does it say immediately under the table of
contents?  Oh, never mind -- kindly let me quote it to you:

   Disclaimer

   Many project websites link to this document in their sections on how
   to get help. That's fine, it's the use we intended  but if you are a
   webmaster creating such a link for your project page, please display
   prominently near the link notice that we are not a help desk for your
   project!

   We have learned the hard way that without such a notice, we will
   repeatedly be pestered by idiots who think that our having published
   this document makes it our job to solve all the world's technical
   problems.

   If you are reading this document because you need help, and you walk
   away with the impression you can get it directly from the authors,
   you are one of the idiots in question. Don't ask us questions. We'll
   just ignore you. We are here to show you how to get help from people
   who actually know about the software or hardware you are dealing with,
   but 99% of the time that will not be us. Unless you know for certain
   that one of the authors is an expert on what you are dealing with,
   leave us alone and everybody will be happier.

Kevin, Eric and I did everything possible to make people like you able
to very, very easily notice that we're not a helpdesk for BitPim or any
of the other thousands of software and non-software projects that
hyperlink to our essay.  And yet, every day of the year, I get a good
half-dozen inquiries like yours.  You are part of an even more elite
group:  Those who ignored my gentle reminder -after- you made your
initial mistake.

Please don't make me regret having tried to help people like you by
writing that essay.

And please, do _actually_ read the essay.  _With_ your brain switched on.
Thank you.






Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 13:57:23 -0400
From: kevin hodge <kr.hodge at gmail.com>
To: Rick Moen <rick at linuxmafia.com>
Subject: Re: Bitpim help


haha thats actually funny lol

[snip the entire prior thread pointlessly quoted, and everything
included a second time in HTML]