RE: [cobalt-users] List Impropriety? (was: NUMBER OF INDEX' TUPLES (574) IS NOT THE SAME AS HEAP)

["Jay Fesco" <jay@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

<rant>
> Most, if not all of us are here to make money.

I disagree, at least in a direct solicitation mode.  Most of us are here (I
believe) to keep our Cobalt boxes healthy, and thereby making money from our
clients who depend on us.

> Our time is valuable and if we see or believe someone needs help that goes
beyond the
> scope of the list services can be offered,

Agreed.  My time is very valuable - however, the assumption here is that the
problem I posted was somehow out of scope - it wasn't (obviously, because
several people responded with workable solutions)

> but imho it should be done OFF list.

And it was.

> It really irritates me certain people on this list that constantly
> offer or mention their services in their posts.

Not the sig issue again...  I choose NOT to include my company in my sig
(even though my email address in the archives clearly points to my server)
because I don't think I should make it any easier than it already is for
script kiddies to find the server that I'm reporting a problem with.  Foxes
in the henhouse, you know?  A safety concern to me, but not a big deal
otherwise.

> I hate to say it, but don't post to the list then.

I WILL continue to post to this list, but you are indicating I have to 'grin
and bear it' when it comes to improper use of contact data from the forum.
I have been helped immeasurably by this group (and I dare say I've even
helped some in my time here).  It's never cost me a dime and I've never
charged one.  My clients continue to pay me for web services - that's how I
get paid for participating here.

> But if you asking a question that goes beyond the basics, expect
> to be contacted to be helped for a fee.

Again, SUN offers certified, non-warranty-breaking help for a fee.  If I
want that, I'll go to them.  I AM looking for cooperative, free help here,
just as we all are.  NONE of us could afford the tech support info that is
provided here every day.  If a straight-forward procedure or concept exists
to fix a problem (as was the case for my most recent issue) then that should
be posted.  I lose respect for people when they tell me something is 'too
complicated for you to do, let me do it for a fee', then I find out that
it's a non-rocket-surgery 10 step process to fix the problem.  To me it's
the same as a mechanic telling you that you shouldn't change your own spark
plugs.  If you are that inept, perhaps you shouldn't own a car...

OK - I think I understand.  ALL of the responses to my original query are
that it's fine for people to solicit work based on problems posted by
others.  The problem with this scenario is that if this works enough times
for the really skilled folks here, they will STOP posting solutions and
START selling them.  Imagine if Dan or Carrie quit answering questions and
just started offering to fix them for $50 (or whatever).  Where would we be?
I'd be missing about 50 'fixes' to problems that I SHOULD be able to repair
myself.  I have a folder of fixes to specific problems I haven't had (yet).
If they had been repaired offline I wouldn't have this part of my toolbox
ready and waiting.

I guess I do have an opinion on this after all...
</rant>

Jay Fesco