Do you not tell people a solution?

[TridenT]

So, let's say someone is having a problem printing something and you are sitting at a computer in the library next to them. Maybe they have someone else with them and they are both printing out something. Do you tell them how to fix the problem or no? Sometimes I just listen and wait while they try to figure out the problem. Sometimes I will even watch them. :-/ Am I the only one who ever actively does not help someone in these kinds of situations and instead let's the person try to figure it out? (Sometimes it requires knowledge that you don't think this person could have)

Sometimes I tell them how to fix it, sometimes I don't... Depends what they are printing out. 😛 If it is a paper for a class, I usually tell them.

I think it is better to not tell them and instead let them figure it out. Some people just lack required information though. (i.e. they are printing to the wrong printer or that printer is broken/out of paper/something else and they don't know it... but I do) So I think sometimes I am playing an unfair game.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

You're a dick? Ever heard of doing something just because you're a good samaritan?

I help people out with computer problems all the time. Sometimes they're dicks about it and assume I'm being nosy/obnoxious; I usually let those people sit there and try and figure it out.

 

[nageov3t]

if it's work and it's something the person should know, I won't tell them unless they ask or it's impacting a client. I think they'd learn more by actually figuring it out.

if it's someone that I'm in competition with, then no way and would lie if asked.

otherwise, I'd offer to help.

 

[coldmeat]

I will usually help, unless not helping will result in something funny.

Last semester I was on the bus and a couple of girls (obviously in first year) were talking about how they are going to the LCBO, but they don't know which stop to get off at. I know exactly what stop it is, but I didn't tell them because the next stop isn't for a while and across a highway. It was funny watching them when they realized they missed the stop and that the bus wasn't stopping anytime soon.

 

[rudeguy]

I was at the bank after the power went out. The lady was on the phone with what I assume was their help desk. She kept telling him, "Hold on, let me reboot." Then she would turn her monitor off and on.

I would have helped but some people are too far gone.

 

[TridenT]

Originally posted by: NSFW
I was at the bank after the power went out. The lady was on the phone with what I assume was their help desk. She kept telling him, "Hold on, let me reboot." Then she would turn her monitor off and on.

I would have helped but some people are too far gone.

Haha. Yes... indeed. 😛

 

[Nemesis 1]

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124
You're a dick? Ever heard of doing something just because you're a good samaritan?

I help people out with computer problems all the time. Sometimes they're dicks about it and assume I'm being nosy/obnoxious; I usually let those people sit there and try and figure it out.

Hes a Dick? Sure you go out of your way to help people. But Sometimes its best to not get involved. If you see there getting upset . Good time to assist. If their walking themselves calmly threw best to let them figure it out . That person after figuring out will have a sense of accomplishnent . Like all things in life use good judgement. Something very lacking in todays world .

 

[TridenT]

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124
You're a dick? Ever heard of doing something just because you're a good samaritan?

I help people out with computer problems all the time. Sometimes they're dicks about it and assume I'm being nosy/obnoxious; I usually let those people sit there and try and figure it out.

I'm doing them a great deal by not telling them how to do it. 😛 It's called learning. You don't just give solutions to a math problem when they first see it. "Ok, you see this problem? Alright, now here is the solution. Done! See how easy that was? Yeah, I figured it out before you even saw it coming."

I usually don't bother most people because they don't want to be bothered. I know the look of, "I need help..."

 

[JMapleton]

Be a good Somolian and help them.

 

[jagec]

Sometimes I tell people the solution, other times I keep my CPU cold with it.

 

[Nemesis 1]

OH thats Bad . LOL JMapleton

 

[slayer202]

Originally posted by: NSFW
I was at the bank after the power went out. The lady was on the phone with what I assume was their help desk. She kept telling him, "Hold on, let me reboot." Then she would turn her monitor off and on.

I would have helped but some people are too far gone.

rofl, and true

anyway, I would help if the person looked nice enough and wasn't annoying or douche looking. or if she was cute

 

[Red Squirrel]

I sometimes help them, but it really depends on the spur of the moment situation. If I have a feeling it will drag me into an endless free tech support contract with that person, I don't let it be known I know stuff about computers. Sometimes it's safer to play dumb.

 

[gorcorps]

If it takes no more than me pointing at the screen for a minute at something, then I'll help.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: TridenTBoy3555

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124
You're a dick? Ever heard of doing something just because you're a good samaritan?

I help people out with computer problems all the time. Sometimes they're dicks about it and assume I'm being nosy/obnoxious; I usually let those people sit there and try and figure it out.

I'm doing them a great deal by not telling them how to do it. 😛 It's called learning. You don't just give solutions to a math problem when they first see it. "Ok, you see this problem? Alright, now here is the solution. Done! See how easy that was? Yeah, I figured it out before you even saw it coming."

I usually don't bother most people because they don't want to be bothered. I know the look of, "I need help..."

And you wonder why you have no friends.

 

[Colt45]

Generally I ignore them. Partly because I don't care, occasionally because I don't want to humiliate them because it's something so stupid, and mainly because I learned most things on my own, I guess.

 

[TridenT]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: TridenTBoy3555

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124
You're a dick? Ever heard of doing something just because you're a good samaritan?

I help people out with computer problems all the time. Sometimes they're dicks about it and assume I'm being nosy/obnoxious; I usually let those people sit there and try and figure it out.

I'm doing them a great deal by not telling them how to do it. 😛 It's called learning. You don't just give solutions to a math problem when they first see it. "Ok, you see this problem? Alright, now here is the solution. Done! See how easy that was? Yeah, I figured it out before you even saw it coming."

I usually don't bother most people because they don't want to be bothered. I know the look of, "I need help..."

And you wonder why you have no friends.

Those people in the library would just use me as a tool anyway. :-/ "Oh, hey trident can you fix my computer?" I have had "friends" like that before. I knew what they were doing, but meh... I felt like I may as well get more experience fixing problems. 😛

 

[olds]

Depends on the person/attitude.
For example, I see threads here I could answer but if i don't like the poster, I just close the thread.