The original intention of this article is to clarify the wrong ways and taboos of dealing with programmers.

1. Don't "go to a programmer as soon as you encounter a problem"

Usually, technical problems can be solved by reading the instructions. For example, if you just bought a new player and want to connect it to your TV, you just need to find the page in the manual about how to connect the ports.

Error messages are usually clearly listed. It's quite possible to solve the problem by reading carefully and thinking about what the message conveys. For example, if you see a message "Your hard drive is almost full", it usually means your hard drive is full. To appease your computer, you need to delete some files you no longer need (or transfer them to an external portable hard drive).

2. Don't think "programmers know everything about computers"

A friend or a relative may be good with computers, but they don't know everything. Generally, they also have no idea how to use the problematic program on your computer; they just use simple logic or Google searches to help you find a solution.

Actually, a Google search is enough, because it will lead you to relevant forums or blogs where netizens had already discussed the problem and given a rough solution long before you encountered it. Usually, you can avoid bothering your free tech support consultant (your programmer friend).

If you've tried and failed, then by all means, ask him for help.

3. Don't say "It's no big deal, you can fix it in a few minutes"

Your programmer friend might provide free technical support, but that doesn't mean it costs nothing. Solving a problem usually takes far more than two minutes, plus the drive to your place. In my experience, on average, from the time you contact them to solve the problem until they get home (unless you live together), it's lucky if it's within an hour.

If they don't accept payment because they're family or an old friend, please still consider compensating them for their time. An occasional gift, a thank-you card, or a generous gesture can really make them appreciate their efforts more.

4. Don't assume "they are obligated to help you for free"

It's not uncommon for proud parents or family members to send their programmer friend's contact information to family friends. If those friends are ready to pay, that's fine. However, let's just say, providing free programmer services to friends isn't cool.

Programmers may kindly want to help you, but by doing so they haven't given you the right to use them as a bargaining chip to please others.

5. Don't tell a programmer, "Ever since you touched my computer, it doesn't work anymore."

There's nothing worse than someone asking you for free tech support and then blaming you for another problem that appears later on the computer. In fact, if the programmer only provided remote assistance, they are by no means the reason your computer slowed down or windows crashed.

Are you sure you didn't install something new after they left? Delete files you shouldn't have? Get a virus on your computer? How could the expert be the culprit?

6. The programmer tells you not to install random software, but you go your own way

If a programmer you trust stops you from installing toolbars, smiley faces, suspicious registry cleaners, and adware, don't insist on installing them. These programs may attack your computer, and in the end you'll have to call him again to fix it. Listen to the programmer.

7. Don't randomly forward emails to programmers

Don't forward chain emails to programmers. They've seen countless such emails and know that in most cases they're clearly hoaxes. Even if they're not hoaxes, many requests have tragically expired by the time you see and forward them. For example, the child looking for a bone marrow donor died years ago. Your forwarding will only cause more and more people to contact his grieving family.

If the programmer replies to your message with a Snopes link, don't feel offended. It's nothing personal. Learn from this little episode, and remember to resist forwarding such emails (or verifying stories before sharing them on Facebook).

8. "He's too suspicious. This is a big deal."

If a programmer you trust tells you something online is a scam and unreliable, believe them. Whether it's a foreign prince or perfect lover you've never met in person, an opportunity to become a secret buyer, or someone posing as your bank employee needing to verify your login credentials, the scam email you're dealing with is designed to exploit human gullibility.

Trust programmers on everything related to technology and the internet. In fact, be sure to ask them about common online traps so you don't fall into them yourself.

9. "I have a great startup idea. Can you help me implement it? We'll split it 50/50."

Implementing a startup idea is not a simple task. In most cases, your brilliant idea or service cannot be created without careful thought and investment of time, energy, and money. Even with full-time work, it takes weeks or even months of discussion.

Would you ask your cousin, a construction worker, to build you a house for free, ignoring the cost of raw materials?

Even if your idea is good, when you're not actually capable of implementing it yourself, asking your programmer friend to implement it doesn't mean you get 50% of the profits.

The idea itself doesn't have much value. Only after you, as a business partner, spend as much time on marketing and business as the programmer spends on technology can you demand a 50/50 split.

10. "Zuckerberg made billions. Why can't you?"

"Hey John, I saw in the news that Zuckerberg made billions with Facebook. Why don't you do something like that too? We need to do something for the next generation." Do you know how many Zuckerbergs and Facebooks are out there? They're all at one end of the statistical distribution. Basically, your programmer friend has about the same chance of winning the lottery as becoming the next Zuckerberg.

Don't misunderstand us programmers. It is possible to create wealth through online applications and websites, but only a very few can accomplish an unlikely feat like Facebook. If your programmer friend is very good at what they do, ambitious, and works hard day and night, then it's possible to see their business become viable. With a bit of luck, they might become a millionaire. But don't expect them to complete it successfully, let alone make billions. Likewise, don't think they're a loser just because they can't afford a private island. They do their job excellently, doing wonderful, useful, or creative things day after day, just like people in other professions, which is something to be proud of in the tech field.

Respect programmers, and you can enjoy their free technical support and long-term expert services.

Original source: http://www.vaikan.com/interacting-with-geeks