I get about two students requests per week.  I find that end of term, the
requests go up dramatically (basically a lopsided guassian distributions
centered at December 1st and April 1st).  The summers are pretty quiet.


I find I get three types of requests:

1.  The student that is just starting a course, or has been in it for a few
weeks and realizes they need more information or need to find tools, parts
and example circuits/code.  Generally, a few pointers to web sites (ie
Microchip, programmer information and sites with good information) along
with a paragraph or two regarding what type of tools they should have and
assuring them that PICmicro assembler isn't that horrible almost always gets
a "thank you" reply or some follow up questions.

2.  The student's project is partially done, but its deadline is coming up
and they need help getting the project working.  The student rarely
identifies themselves, but I can usually figure that this is a student
project from how the email is written (grammar, spelling, punctuation,
slang).  As an aside: there are a few professors/instructors around that
have to get a more creative - I usually get five or six requests per term
regarding differential drive robots controlled by PICmicros and another half
dozen on how to implement a remote digital thermometer that is connected to
a PC.  My reply consists of asking how they have designed their project and
asking what kind of tools they are using and have they characterized the
problems.  I get a reply back from this type about 50% of the time - the
replies I do get are from the students that are genuinely trying to figure
out the problems themselves.  I can usually guess who will not reply by the
tone of the email (ie demanding).  If I get a reply back, the conversations
usually go on for three or four emails.

3.  The one that comes across as a customer looking for a consultant to do a
quick job - I think this is the type that Andy is complaining about.  This
individual is usually pretty crafty and will make it sound like an
opportunity while not specifically describing the project.  The emails are
generally well written although the return address is usually Yahoo or MSN,
they always seem to come in November/December or March/April and are often
unsigned.  My response is that I do not do consulting work, but they could
try to contact some of the consultants that Microchip has listed on their
web site or put a request on the PICList.  I have never gotten a reply to my
email from this type of request and I have never seen a follow up request on
the PICList.


I'm probably in a bit of a unique position as I do get a lot of newbie
questions - enough to see some trends.  I hope I haven't offended anybody by
buttonholing the different types of student requests that I get.  For the
most part, the requests I get are sincere and I enjoy conversing with the
students (as well as others) because I often learn something from them as
well or I get a chance to look at something from a different perspective.  A
lot of the material for the new PICmicro book and on my web page was a
result of these discussions.


If you've read this far (sorry for the long email), I hope that I haven't
given the impression that I am not willing to help.  I am very happy to
help, but it will usually be in the form of a pointer to the
information/code that is required.

If you are going to ask a question, I hope you can see that the important
thing is to be honest - I'm sure everyone on the list has had trouble
learning some concept or even just getting started and they will help you
get over the rough spots and help you learn the concepts for yourself.

As a wise man once said, it is best to teach a hungry man to fish.

myke

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