Do you think its right?

[renegade600]

I noticed in some forums, not necessary in cth, you have individuals who are always asking questions about different computers. They use terms like client, customers, etc and it sounds like they are running a computer repair business.

Do you think it is right for those individuals to continue to get free help when they are in turn getting paid for using the same advise?

I always wonder what others thought about this.

[Murray S.]

Howdy Dan:

I don't think it's right but everyone needs help once in awhile IF this is a legitimate tech working on something they haven't seen before or would like a second opinion!!

If this is just some "joe" backyard tech, then they are on their own especially if they are getting paid for the repair !!

Murray

[z1p]

Dan -

I think what goes around and comes around. Even if someone is getting help from an online forum, they still need to put the time in to get the problem solved. Plus, if they have to seek help for everything, they won't last long.

Personally, I'm less likely to try to help out (or continue to try to help) someone if I feel that they aren't putting effort in on there part to solve the problem. This is true for everyone, but I am less tolerant if I think they're getting paid.

[smurfy]

I have no problem with it. When attempting a fix you use whatever resources are available to you, if that means a free onlien support forum, than that's what you use.

[Baser-X]

I went with no comment simply because I have used this forum to get help with a problem I just could not resolve when working on computers for other people. Some of those times I was getting paid, most I was not. But either way, I have most likely put forth a lot of effort to resolve the issue on my own before coming here. And honestly, since I have no real tech education beyond being raised with computers and the good ol trial and error, there's some problems I come across I want some professional help with so I don't make the problem worse.

In return, I help out just about anyone who has a problem that I can solve for them, so I hope in my case at least it balances out. But I too like z1p will give up trying to help someone who seems to just want everything handed to them with no real thought or effort on their part. People like that won't learn from the experience so they might as well go pay someone to do it for them and keep a techie working.

[hypnotizeminds]

It makes no difference to me if the person on the other end is getting paid or not, just so long as they don't have posts on the forum concerning all or most of the computers that are brought into their shop. If it got to the point where it seemed CTH was basically running the business for them, that would be unacceptable, IMO.

We don't charge a soul for tech help of any kind, CTH is not about the money, so what difference does it make if there are others that are.

Maybe if someone running a business came here often to solve problems he couldn't on his own, he could do a little advertising for us. Send him a banner and have him post back with a picture of it pinned up in his shop.

[renegade600]

Theres been some very good points brought up. A couple I did not even think of when I posted the original question.

Personally, I will try to help everyone, even those who runs a business and am using cth as a source. However, if it becomes obvious that the person is running a business and is getting their issues solved here but will not return the favor to help others, then I will try to help others first. After I am finished and if I have time, I will help if possible.

[Bad Dog]

Some problems are happening with many of my clients..........Business.
Some problems are happeniong to one of my friends computer.......Personal.
I have a large family with many computers and we use a server.......??
I have a problem with 3 computers in my house networked........again, ??

A halfway decent mind could always word the Q as a personal problem.

Does cth distinguish between personal use and commercial use of this forum?
If yes, then how can one always tell the diff.
If not, then what's the diff except for one's personal opinion to help or not.

I had to vote 'no comment'. Ah, but why all the comments above. Because in the poll options I could not see any answer as black or white so just adding some of my own options.

Want to help? Fine
Don't want to help? Pass

Key distinction: direct vs. indirect values
BD

[zack_rage]

for me trying to help others (personal or business purposes) is fairly satisfaction when they give good and sincere thoughts to me and others here but then sometimes they will not have extra efforts to solved their problems like zip said that they aren't putting effort in on there part to solve the problem. but likely said im not a techie or guru but i could share some experiences about computers which we help others in my way.
i will also continue to help and try to help others whether for business or personal purposes!