RE: FN-FORUM: Mentoring (was: Programmers)

date posted 15th May 2007 07:41

I've removed all of the posts, no in disrespect, but because my Google app
on my phone was starting to complain.

Both Mike A. and Ben have raised some very good points about the skills of
mentoring and the duties of the mentored. For instance monitoring the right
forums is a very good tool, I've done this for years. However, I do feel
that I am guilty of a cardinal sin of not sharing my knowledge and skill.

I often read posts asking how to do this or that, and in the past have
thought to myself that it has taken me 20 years to build up these skill,
spent loads of money on training courses and the right degree why should I
give this knowledge away for free. If the work is too complex for someone
who has taken on a project, then perhaps they should either employ someone
who can do the work, or not take on the project at all.

Plus, giving over the answer to a problem isn't always the best way. A lot
of my recent work has been around AJAX, and the biggest and most often asked
question is based around the security. When answering a question on this
forum about how to do a certain AJAX project I felt, would need to be
qualified in some way so that the answer includes the background of why it
is written in such a way. I felt this would be to deeming to other posters
on this forum and may start disagreements in styles that I don't have the
time to get into.

But that was all in the past, I've now taken to reading the posts and if I
feel someone requires help I try and do this off list, with the original
poster free to either accept the advice or disregard it.

Without any quick way of distinguishing posts of seasoned professionals
looking for a quick answer, or a newbee needing direction the level of help
will always be a bit hit and miss.

Thats my 5 penny worth before I drop the kids off to school.

Peter A