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

[Paul O'Malley - gnu's not unix -]

Matt Darcy wrote:
> 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.

contributions - helping people with FLOSS without being an operator since 93

I only tired when I became an op

I have no problem with someone staying around helping the whole time 
whatever but I think ops should be forced off and let back on

I think the same for the IRCC

why did I come to this opinion - burn out look at the list of who left 
IRC - in most cases it had to do with reactions to other ops - I think 
that proves my case

>> +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 ;)
>>
>>
> 
>