Discrimination in the WP Forum?
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I have been accused (by contacting me at my other site, despite asking not to do so) that I discriminate users in the WordPress Forum. They were referring to the fact that I refuse to help others than end users, i.e. when a self-proclaimed web designer, web developer is asking for free help in the forum for a site/blog they are doing for a client who is paying… YES, I do refuse to help.
It is very simple: if you are paid to do a job, do your homework, read the documentation, experiment. If you don’t have the time - hire a pro. I do quite a lot of custom WP themes for clients. Many times I got stuck, especially with PHP code, since I suck at it. Then I contact in private one or two knowledgeable coders and ask for help. And I pay them. Let’s put in this way - it is my “expense” for completing the job. (Other times I just push my son to do it for me for free but that’s a family matter…)
I still believe the Forums were set up for the average Joe end-user to get free help with their WP installation. In that regard, I guess I do my best. According to the “shrink in the house” (aka my wife) I am addicted to that ‘forum thing’ and I spend way much more time helping people than I should. In lucid moments I agree. However, besides helping novice users I also learned a lot from the replies of very knowledgeable helpers like… - OK, I’ll not list anybody here because, obviously, I would forget quite a few and I don’t want to offend anybody. The thing is that for the knowledge I accumulated in WP matters I paid hard with my time. And while I happily share it with end-users I am and will always be reluctant to offer free help for lazy designers that get paid for a job. If you don’t know WP - don’t take the job. Outsource it. Do whatever you want. Just don’t count on my free help!
If you think otherwise, try to convince me.
Moshu,
That’s not on! People need to understand that you are providing a very valuable service for free in the Support Forums. There is no requirement for you to do this at all. If you choose to only answer one query in a whole year, then you are still adding value. But you’re not just answering one query - you’re answering loads of queries (you’re all over that place). People should be grateful for your work.
In my view, you’re doing the right thing - helping the people who need help the most. There’s no obligation for you to help anyone. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Stephen!
I appreciate your comment and support. Unfortunately, many people are far from ‘greatful’ - they are more preoccupied with the tone and style of my answers than with the content. I know I am mean and impatient often. More exactly as often as I meet someone who is not willing to do his/her share of (home)work.
Anyway, enough of complaining. Thanks again for stopping by.
I love the convenience of wp.com, but I love the different layouts by wp.org. I’ve signed up and cancelled with my hosts becasue I am clueless when it comes to all this coding info. I go to cPanel and am LOST! Where would I go to start the homepage. There is no logon at wordpress.org. Is my logon to the dashboard area found on cPanel? PLEASE CLARIFY ALL THE “simple” STUFF FOR ME!!! Thanks so much.