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Re[n]: Should I even bother?
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Re[n]: Should I even bother?


  • Subject: Re[n]: Should I even bother?
  • From: Lance Drake <email@hidden>
  • Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 17:29:50 -0700

With regard the usefulness of writing to these lists - MANY times I find the answer to my (seemingly) dumb question only a short while after posting the question. It may be that this is a result of forcing myself to ask as salient a question as possible which includes the most pertinent details. The result of this exercise is to (sometimes) reveal the answer to myself.

At least it seems more like I have done due diligence if I have tried to solve the problem, written to the list, gotten no response and STILL not figured it out. All in all, it helps me better gauge just how capable it is I may be with a particular disciple and - hence - do a better job in estimating how long things will likely take me to complete in the future.

Yes, it's humbling to have to admit (to your professional peers) you are the clueless-wonder - but it's all a relative thing. A year and a half ago, I wasn't sure how to SPELL Cocoa. Now I wouldn't want to be developing in anything else. Objective-C could have just as easily been sanskrit, for all I knew about it. Now, it's my favorite language. So, what does that say about all the dumb questions I have posted (and which have gone unanswered) in the intervening time?

As far as ME answering questions posed to the list - here's another interesting thing. MANY of the people to whom I write with suggestions for answers to their posted questions do NOT write back - even 5 letters like 'thanx'. It's a little bit of aversion therapy to hear some fellow's desperate plea for assistance, send him source code with the solution, and never hear anything back. That's why I answer EVERY SINGLE LETTER ever sent to me - because you never know who's out there with the answer that's gonna save you an afternoon of rudderless fumbling - so you sure as heck don't want to be a rude-dude and not respond to the folks who are kind enough to take time out of their day to try to help you.

One last thing - learn how to best construct your question so it's most likely to get an answer. Look at the list - observe the form and content of questions that get answered. I don't think there is such a thing as a question that's 'too hard' - maybe 'too broad' or 'too vague'. Well, 'nuff jaw-flappin' for one day.

Lance Drake
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