When computer touchers discover operant conditioning.

As true today as when it was written.

That's not 'helping someone', that's 'teaching someone'. There's a difference.

I've got 20+ years of experience using a computer, much of it professional experience. If someone asks me for help to get something done, I'm going to do it. If someone wants me to teach them, I'm going to charge them $100/hr and take it as slow as they like.

You don't ask a pilot for "help" flying a plane until you've learned how to do it yourself. If you're midair and you're stuck and you need help, expect the pilot to take over if at all possible. Don't ask me for help with a computer unless you want me to take over and do it or you plan to pay me substantial amounts so you can take it slow.

Or... LMGTFY and fuck off.

/rant

I think the "help" in the title is apposite, but it reads as, "how you should help someone use a computer, if you don't want to put them off learning altogether". Of course, you should weigh this against your own needs and the exigencies of the situation. I agree, this is not how to help someone fly a plane.

EDIT: ..not how to help a novice pilot fly a plane in a firefight. I know one pilot and I think she'd try to follow some of the principles in this article.

What a lovely reminder of one thing I will not miss about working in IT. Absolutely no sense a community, coupled with a (typically) unearned arrogance. The disdain for everybody else and overblown perception of self.