Over the years I've published some of my non-work related papers and software on
my personal web site.  I have always been receiving e-mail from people that want
to discuss what I've published, and I enjoy receiving that kind of e-mail.

Recently I've been receiving two or three letters a month titled something like
"Urgent.  Please Help!"

The body of the message usually continues with "I am a student at <some kind of
college> studying <some type of computer subject>.  I need a
<C++/Java/Matlab/name your language> program that will <do something similar to
something I've published>.  Please send me such a program."

I've tried to make it clear that I don't do other people's homework assignments,
but if they have some questions about specifics or are stuck on a certain issue,
I would be willing to try to point them in the right direction in my spare time.

I spend a good amount of time finding references to get the author started, but
there's never a follow-up.  I'm assuming that's because they wanted a zero
effort solution.

I know others on the list get similar requests.  How do you handle them?  Are
these types of students beyond help?  Should I just junk the letter and not
waste any time with a response?

-Mike

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