Klarinet Archive - Posting 000186.txt from 1998/02

From: Nicholas Yuk Sing Yip <nyip@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: How _not_ to ask for help
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 1998 00:29:19 -0500

The person could have been more polite, but it sounded like that the
person
has never heard of the archives or any other parts of the clarinet
pages before. Just recently someone new had
come on and asked about band pieces for clarinet. She just missed the
discussion so I directed her to the archives.

On Tue, 3 Feb 1998, Mark Charette wrote:

> Just a little bit for those who need help:
>
> I run the Clarinet Pages; it's a hobby of mine and I
> thoroughly enjoy meeting (via e-mail, mostly) the people
> who visit. Many people ask me questions on a daily basis;
> if they're on technique or playing or music, I pass them
> to the proper pages or people. If they're on equipment,
> many times I can answer the question myself. I direct people
> to the Klarinet archives. I _don't_ mind doing this, but
> yesterday I got one of the requests that get my dander up.
> Paraphrased:
>
> "Dear Mr. Sneezy,
> I need to know about the Clarinet Warmups by the infamous
> Dr. Spring. Could you email me their location or the article
> ASAP."
>
> Looks pretty innocuous. Except:
> There's a site map on the menu of every blessed page on
> the Clarinet Pages, and in the site map is a heading
> "Warmup and Practice". Surprise - the reference to the
> article is there.
>
> There's also a database on Sneezy that cross references most
> of the text. Searching there brought up the information.
>
> ASAP? I don't think so. Maybe this person has no idea what
> those letters stand for. In fact - probably doesn't. Read on.
>
> I sent a snippy reply back, pointing them to the site map,
> database, and asking if they wanted it ASAP why weren't they
> paying me? I also asked "Why do you consider Bob Spring to be
> evil?" Maybe Bob's students call him infamous - but this
> person isn't a student of his.
>
> Interesting response last night. This person wondered why
> I was snippy (OK - I was a bit rude - but I did point them in
> the right direction), said he doesn't sit in front of computer
> "24/7", and he has to practice and "has a life". I guess I'm
> not supposed to have one, hmmm? He then explained to me that
> "Dr. Spring is a well-known clarinet ... - that's why he's
> infamous." Made me wonder about the ASAP.
>
> So, if you're looking for information - check about a bit
> before asking the question. Most anyone with Web pages or
> who posts regularly on Klarinet would welcome being asked
> questions within their expertise - but please, do it politely,
> don't make demands, and do a little homework first.
> --
> Mark Charette, Webmaster - http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet
> Web/Personal - charette@-----.org
> Business - charette@-----.com
> "There's already an educational TV channel - it's called 'off'."
> Lily Henderson, age 11
>