[wp-forums] Tone

[Lara at Anubis Marketing]

Handy, you're well aware of how I feel on this topic. It's precisely why I
haven't been around myself.
(Yep, I still read the list. Can't cut myself off completely for some
reason!)

I know things get frustrating, as they always have, with questions being
asked that have already been covered, or that we're not supposed to
typically "support" (CSS questions, etc.) but after all this time, haven't
we realized that there's no way to stop it? Why not just take the time to
find the answer and give it if it's already been answered (and is a
supported question) or have a "cheat sheet" of links/tutorials to direct
people to who are asking for non-WP help? It makes life so much easier,
relaxed, and enjoyable. You're actually helping people learn, just like we
all had to do at one point. (I used "we" too - I made my own share of snappy
comments back in the day - that's part of why I took a break. Yet another
piece of advice given to me that I wish everyone else would take hold of
also.) 

Doesn't anyone remember how frustrating it was the first time they tried to
learn PHP or CSS? You have to go somewhere for help... even if it's to get
pointed in another direction. These people simply do not yet have the
knowledge most of us do. It's a shame that people have to act like their
time is being wasted, or that these people are there for no other reason
than to annoy us. If you're annoyed, go read a book or something. Ignore it,
and as you said Handy, if they're truly being difficult (yes, I know there
are people out there who want us to do the work for them, or refuse to relax
and read instructions given, or click on the links we give) they'll get the
answer they "deserve" - which is nothing. They start spamming their own
thread, or reposting the question, or getting nasty about not liking what
answers they have been given, then they become affected by the rules, and
their account gets deleted. End of story as far as I'm concerned... am I
wrong?

On top of this, what that person said in their blog is true: You give a tiny
piece of advice in error, and you're made to feel like an idiot. When you go
back and give an apology, and even gratitude for being handed the correct
answer, you're yelled at for "non-topic" or "conversational" posts and
accused of trying to "get link juice" or some other insane accusation.
Sometimes, your posts are hunted down, and every answer you give to anything
gets fault found with it - even if it doesn't exist, simply because people
get on edge and hold personal grudges. Meanwhile, the lack of moderators
gives way to signatures in posts like wild, as well as a whole host of other
problems like that which need attention in a bigger way.

I ask this though: Is it really worth it, in the scope of the whole project,
to make one feel like crap, so that they write blog posts with negative
finger pointing at WordPress? I don't blame this guy for doing so, don't get
me wrong. I've debated hard on a few occasions, and not even just related to
the forums. In the end, I felt it best to just let it go. I know I'm a lot
happier for it now. 

At this point, if I head into the forums for help with something, and find a
question I can help answer, I will. I don't think I'll ever be as active as
I once was, especially now that I see this sort of stuff is still going on,
and until it changes dramatically, I think you're going to find the same
from all the "oldies" who've simply had enough. It's really sad, because the
forums are truly no indication of the quality of WordPress as a solid piece
of software. I really doubt that this is the kind of environment that Matt
and the others had in mind, and I just hope that no one's gotten too big for
their britches to do something about the chaos.

Handy - another thing that guy said was true: All this time, I've seen you
do nothing but try to be genuinely helpful. Kudos to you for that. 

Thanks,
Lara Kulpa
Anubis Marketing
www.anubismarketing.com
lara at anubismarketing.com
phone: 518.843.9633 | fax: 518.843.9643

-----Original Message-----
From: wp-forums-bounces at lists.automattic.com
[mailto:wp-forums-bounces at lists.automattic.com] On Behalf Of Handy
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2007 10:38 PM
To: wp-forums at lists.automattic.com
Subject: [wp-forums] Tone

I would propose that we need to focus on the tone of the support forums.  I
feel we're a bit hostile and/or caustic. I'm no angel -- you'll notice I'm
using "we" throughout this message!

Here's a post from earlier today from a fella who was just getting back into
the volunteer mode:
http://blog.os42.com/i-admit-defeat-you-win/

That sucks, we chased him off.  It bums me out -- I saw it happen. Now to be
fair, the "final straw" in his case was someone he was helping was a bit of
a dick... but really, he was obviously on the edge if that's all it took.
It could've been any of us that pushed him over. With a bit of research, I
can dredge up a few more posts along those lines. The forums still have a
rep.

What gets me is that odds are "any of us" have scared off other potential
volunteers as well.  There ain't enough helpers as it is, we should probably
not be scaring 'em off as they're still getting their wings! (and don't get
me rolling on the large pile of moderators we never see any more...
different topic)

Granted, some people seeking help are just bloody caustic... but instead of
unloading on 'em, just move on to the next thread instead.  They'll get the
support they "deserve".

This dragged me down a bit this summer and I slowed way down on doing
support and just focused on clearing modlooks and spams instead.  After a
bit of hiatus I've been back into it more at my usual pace... but this time
around the overall feel of the place is bugging me more.

Is it just me -- perhaps I'm overly sensitive?  Or am I not too far off
base?

If it's feeling too much like a grind or like work, step back and take a
break.  We're volunteers -- why be unhappy volunteers?  :-)

Thoughts?  Flames?
(anyone even still read this list besides Wank?)
_______________________________________________
wp-forums mailing list
wp-forums at lists.automattic.com
http://lists.automattic.com/mailman/listinfo/wp-forums


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.6/991 - Release Date: 9/5/2007
2:55 PM
 

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.6/991 - Release Date: 9/5/2007
2:55 PM