Re: When do you step in, and why?

Personal Learning - Ask if they want some hints. Follow their answer.
Homework - q.v. Personal Learning. (School is "Personal Learning", imho.)
Community Service - Give the hints without asking. Wait to be asked for more.
Work (no dependency) - Pull aside and give the hints. Suggest that you can be of further help. Beyond that, it's their salary, not yours.
WOrk (dependency) - Pull aside, give the design, and strongly suggest you can be of further help. Mention that it directly impacts you. Go to a manager if you're still concerned. At this point, your (personal and professional) success needs to take precedence over friendship. I mean, is the fact your kids eat more important than your drinking buddy?
Nuke Reactor - Kick them to the curb and do it right. Don't mess around with stuff like that.

------
We are the carpenters and bricklayers of the Information Age.

Don't go borrowing trouble. For programmers, this means Worry only about what you need to implement.

Comment on Re: When do you step in, and why?

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Re: When do you step in, and why? by bilfurd (Hermit) on Jul 20, 2002 at 03:11 UTC
I rather liked the question - it reminds us that we, as programmers, are scoped beyond my @OpenProjects. I rather liked this response, too. Nudging them towards this site would go a long way towards helping them out. We (ok, I'm new and you all built it so take credit for the work) have a good code library, tutorials, everything you need to get your friend back on the right path. I might, however, point out that kicking friends can lead to professional visits from our friends in the local constabulary, but tape safes have been known to slam shut without warning...	[reply]

Replies are listed 'Best First'.

Re: Re: When do you step in, and why?
by bilfurd (Hermit) on Jul 20, 2002 at 03:11 UTC

I rather liked this response, too.

Nudging them towards this site would go a long way towards helping them out. We (ok, I'm new and you all built it so take credit for the work) have a good code library, tutorials, everything you need to get your friend back on the right path.

I might, however, point out that kicking friends can lead to professional visits from our friends in the local constabulary, but tape safes have been known to slam shut without warning...

[reply]