been a while - cannon fodder perhaps then again it may not be

[Matt Darcy]

Peter Garrett wrote:
> On Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:39:04 +0100
> "Paul O'Malley - gnu's not unix -" <ompaul at eircom.net> wrote:
> 
> [snip]
>> If you are an op for more than a couple of years you should try to take 
>> a break - I know this is needed - it is my own opinion you are fooling 
>> yourself if you think it is not.

I personally find this nonsense - people are able to work or contribute
in different situations for different periods of time. While one
personal my need a break or want a breaks, others will thrive and grow
from it as their confidence and experience increases.


> 
> +1
> 
> [snip]
>> in tech support 12 - 18 months is the normal turn around
> 

Really ? I'm aware of people in a working industry that last much longer
than this in tech support roles, and I'm also aware of people who
contribute to the IRC world for more than 12-18 month periods, again
while this may be true for someone, it's not true for everyone, so I'd
suggest leaving these points at the door unless you find it effects you,
in which case it seems good advice to follow Paul's suggestions.
> +1
> 
> [snip]
>> let me try to say what it is
>>
>> Culture clashes.
>> Culture clashes, combined with a lack of empathy for the other ops point 
>> of view.
>> Culture clashes, combined with a lack of empathy for the other ops point 
>> of view, and if you are on the wrong side of an argument, then you feel 
>> trolled not just by the troll, but by your own side as well.
> 
> Listen to Paul, people...
> 
>> Ultimately the reason you got involved with irc was to help your fellow 
>> users.
> 
> This is too easily forgotten.
> 
> Compassion fatigue includes lack of empathy and compassion for other
> ops, not just 'users'. Ops, funnily enough, are people, not computers ;)
> 
> Expecting accurate "debug" "error messages" about feelings from
> *people* is, well ... What can I say? I wish you luck...
> 
> If you start analysing people's reactions and finding logical holes in
> their statements about feelings, maybe it's time to find another place
> to help, another personal project, or just an extended vacation from
> IRC.
> 
> No, I haven't resigned my ops - but yes, I've had a very long extended
> vacation, (more like a sabbatical?), after spending thousands of hours
> doing it over a period of about 3 years. When you notice the steam
> coming out of your ears on a regular basis... time to step away ;-)
> 
> You might come back, but don't think about that until the urge to do so
> returns ;)
> 
>