You're not alone with this problem.
I generally reply with a "if you have specific questions
feel free to write but I will NOT do your homework for you".
And like you, there is usually no followup reply.
I would suggest a 'canned' reply and only if they actually DO
reply with specifics, point them in the right direction.

I do have one student in Africa who is building a simple
spectrum analyzer as a project, and he seems to 'get it'.
He's using an old VCR tuner and 555 with current source as ramp
generator.

Robert

"Dipperstein, Michael" wrote:
>
> 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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