Fair is pretty much a subjective thing..
And I guess a lot of it is how much time you actually have to spare with a problem, and the willingness of the person you're helping to go and do the legwork themselves.
If someone latches onto your words, and has a go, then all is fine.
If they need a little clarification, and bounce a few intelligent questions back and forth, it's still enough to keep me posting, or helping.
Where I tend to draw the line is when I've explained something in simple terms how to do something, perhaps going over it several times, and people saying they still don't get it, and it would be so much easier if I did the work for them.
The time factor also comes into play too.. If I'm rushed off my feet, I'm usually pretty curt with people asking me for things (as helping them would likely cause more problems for me and the people who rely on my work getting completed, than would be experienced by the people needing a bit of help from me.. My usual response to them (if they're at the same location as me) is to hand them the right manual, and point them at a section to read).
But really, I guess it all comes down to what you feel about it all.. If you feel that enough is enough, then it is.
For you at least.
The more you get disenchanted, and have bad experiences pushing yourself past what you feel is enough, the less likely you are to help deserving cases in future, or to stay with places like the Monastery.
I don't think anyone expects you to give more than you have to offer, and everyone appreciates what you do have to give..
And when enough is really enough, a polite reply to say that you've got pressing things that need attending to, and a small list of references that someone can read through to gain the relevant info helps.
If you do what you feel to be right, you don't often go wrong.

Malk

In reply to Re: What's a fair thing? by Malkavian
in thread What's a fair thing? by tachyon

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