Please just forward those to me...

I have a canned system for managing the really annoying ones. And I should
say that I do refer some to the list if they seem like they might be
actually interested in learning something. For the "do my homework crowd"
here is the system:

First, I quote my hourly rate and send a PayPal link for the first two hours
(pay in advance, thank you). Its automated so it takes like two clicks to do
it.

Then, if they come back for more (goodness forbid one of them ever actually
pays!) I complain that I don't really understand the question and ask for
the web site for the assignment, class, or professor.

If they are dumb enough to give me that, then I find an email address and
forward the entire thing to the professor.


---
James.


-----Original Message-----
From: pic microcontroller discussion list [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU] On
Behalf Of Dipperstein, Michael
Sent: 2004 Apr 22, Thu 10:33
To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: [OT]:Responding to Students Asking for Homework Solutions

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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