On 6/13/06, Merrill, Jason <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Perfect example of what we are talking about:
While we're at it, a general piece of advice: "I have the files all neatly bundled up in a zip file. I have a readme describing my problem I have checked all my links (twice) to make sure they all work. send me an email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and I will send you the files if you think you are a real ninja." The first part looks pretty good, with a readme and everything zipped neatly together. Bonus points for comments in the code, traces where they could be helpful with extra comments what they trace. Where it goes wrong is when it gets to the emailing part -- I don't know how others feel about this, but for me the threshold is /much/ higher than simply downloading a linked zip. The reason for this is that I would feel like I would be making a commitment, before even knowing what I was getting myself into. Been there, done that -- what I got was the most horrible code I had ever seen, ripped somewhere off the web with variable names in a language neither me nor the help-seeker could understand, _root and on( clipEvent ) all over it. After a while I figured it was easier to rewrite it, which took me only half an hour but didn't save me from dozens of follow up questions, some of which I had already answered, others were unrelated, and the rest he answered himself only minutes after sending. So, just post a link. If somebody wants to help s/he will look at it and let you know if there is a solution. A link also means I can look into it when I come across it and have a few minutes to spare, instead of waiting for a reply that might come the next day when I don't have the time. Since I'm already ranting about off-list issues, some other things I have encountered in the past: Please, if you seek help, don't take threads off-list unless asked. Somebody suggesting something here most likely doesn't want to be your personal help desk from then on, not by mail, and definitely not via IM (even if we have the same mother-tongue that doesn't mean you're my new best friend, it's really not that an uncommon language, thank you). Keep it on the list. Others will read it, too, and might be able to help better or quicker, plus if somebody actually bothers to search the archives it will show up. It's a win-win for everybody involved. Mark -- http://snafoo.org/ key: 1BD689C0 (3801 6F51 4810 C674 1491 ADE7 D8F6 0203 1BD6 89C0) _______________________________________________ [email protected] To change your subscription options or search the archive: http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders Brought to you by Fig Leaf Software Premier Authorized Adobe Consulting and Training http://www.figleaf.com http://training.figleaf.com
