This was posted after a few instances on (non IT) forums (I also admit that forums are not for private conversations) where I was having a ‘conversation’ with another person. Both of us were constantly interrupted by someone who had strong views on the matter but admitted that he had not actually read the material in question but relied on what he had been “told”.

I agree that most people don’t actually set out to deceive people but to use your breakdown example, Just suppose that the first 3 people to come along are not mechanics but once ‘watched’ someone change a spare wheel. They each insist on telling this to you, wasting your time, not actually helping you and leaving you to do it yourself.

You are stuck on the side of the road with your car. A stranger stops, you don’t know his or her credentials but looking at your car, he notice that you have a loose calble. He shows you how to fix the problem and there you go, the car works again. In the end, by chatting with the individual he tels you he is an accountant and that cars are a hobby of his.

Nont only did he fixed your problem you also learned how to fix it so next time you will know what to do. And, furthermore, you learned about mechanics from an accountant. You could have waited for the tow truck and send your car to the dealer service center. They would have fixed it, charged you big $$$ and never tell you what the actual problem was.

Forums are the same, they help you solve your problems yourself while learning about computing at the same time. I’ve been using them for a long time to fix my computer problems and I shall say that I’ve been successful at least 90% of the time. This is what online connunities are about: sharing expertise. Wether you are an expert, a newbie or a wannabe, you can contribute to the community. The sum of knowledge of a community is way higher of that of the best expert of this community.

I don’t care who is at the other end, I just want an answer to my problem. If his solution does not work, then I go to the next one. I may give them “perceived authority”, but what do I care, it does not cost me a penny and this is a learning opportunity. I understand however that this is not for everyone. Some people will prefer send their car to the dealer while others will prefer the “do it yourself” solution.

Wether you are looking for profit, power, notoriety or just an answer, to me this is a win-win solution since everyone get what they want.