On 2007-09-03, Jeff Liebermann intrigued me by typing:
> George <george@nospam.invalid> hath wroth:
>
>>Mountain Mike^^ wrote:
>>> No, I have the admin all figured out. I'm not going to do any:) It's gonna
>>> be free, and free means no support. Later, I'll just jerk it all out.
>
>>Thats even worse. From my experience when you undervalue or give away
>>your services people don't appreciate it. And since everything is free
>>they will expect lots of extra free stuff. You are in for a real
>>experience about human nature if you become the free ISP on your block.
>
> I need a rant...
>
> That's what I was going to say. I don't charge my neighbors although
> I do expect some help when it comes time to do some digging or tree
> climbing. All are appreciative, considerate, and tactful when they
> call me on the phone at midnight, on a holiday weekend, to ask if the
> system is down. Never mind that I have a local web server with
> traffic and status information for them. Never mind that I showed
> them all how to use ping to check for connectivity. Never mind that
> most of them have more than one computah and can easily check the 2nd
> machine. Never mind that it's a brand new laptop the kid got from the
> grandparents for skool and is now desperately trying to get it online
> so he can impress his friends at skool tomorrow. Too bad it's not in
> my MAC address filter table so it won't connect. So, at midnight, I
> get to do sysadmin for a new computah with the help of a kid that
> can't read the MAC address off the bottom of his laptop without
> getting at least two digits transposed.
>
> The theory is that if one is very polite and respectful, offers the
> appropriate compliments and familiarities, one can get away with just
> about anything. That's amazingly true except that most wireless users
> haven't figured out that this method of getting free support becomes
> really old after a while.
>
> Two days ago, it was early in the morning instead. I had apparently
> lost the wireless link to one of the neighbors. Everything at that
> end of the neighborhood was dead. I spend an hour preparing a
> replacement bridge, drive over, and find that their refrigerator is
> sitting on the deck defrosting directly in front of their wireless
> antenna in the window. I make a mental note to move their antenna.
>
> It goes on and on like this almost continuously. If I had 100
> neighbors connected with wireless, it would probably be a full time
> job dealing with the questions and problems. I was in the hospital
> last month for a few days some luser called with a computer question.
> I was too drugged to answer or remember the conversation.
>
> I've heard the zero support theory of free networks before. I have
> yet to see it work or last. That's why I suggested that one start
> with a small number of users. so they can get a feel for the support
> and admin load.
>
> God, grant me the serenity to accept users that will not change;
> the courage to educate those that are willing and able;
> and the wisdom to spot the difference before trashing the whole day.
>

Jeff, those of us in the computing business know very well the frustrations
that comes with trying to correct someone else's mistake. We love and hate
it at the same time and despite the fact that we tell our clients how to do
certain simple troubleshooting tips, very few actually listen and try them.
Trust me, sir, I feel your pain. Now, for the person that called you while
you were in the hospital, now dang, that is just downright inconsiderate but
typical of today's mentality. Did the...as you put it...*luser* even ask
how you were doing?
--
Just me, D
(Ubuntu User# 16887)