When you hit a snag when writing your code, and you need help, where do you go? Do you hit up one of your contacts who is just better at it than you? Crack open a book? Hit the forums? Or do you just fire up Google?
Ask HN: Where do you go for hacking help?
1–10 of 31 posts
Re: Ask HN: Where do you go for hacking help?
#2Google and these days StackOverflow (http://stackoverflow.com/)
Re: Ask HN: Where do you go for hacking help?
#3When I hit a wall, I usually do something like this:
1. Google
2. Stare at ceiling.
3. Do something unrelated, like read HN, while my subconscious ruminates.
4. Try again.
Re: Ask HN: Where do you go for hacking help?
#4When I hit a wall, I usually do something like this: 1. Google 2. Stare at ceiling. 3. Do something unrelated, like read HN, while my subconscious ruminates. 4. Try again. I like to figure it out without bugging other people, unless it's something stupid and I know a guy who knows the answer.
I do find that If I do bug people and verbalize the problem (same as in a forum) it helps me to find a solution.
Re: Ask HN: Where do you go for hacking help?
#5Typical order:
1. Google
2. Whiteboard
3. FlatmatesRe: Ask HN: Where do you go for hacking help?
#6Not that I have used it much, but my impression was lately that such things have moved to IRC (rather than usenet)?
Re: Ask HN: Where do you go for hacking help?
#7Either documentation or the mailing list (if not in the docs). Forums if the problem isn't specific to the project.
Re: Ask HN: Where do you go for hacking help?
#8Google goes without saying...
As Tichy alluded to, I make heavy use of IRC in what I have learned to be are some polite and efficient channels. It takes a while to see which channels are going to help you and which are just going to waste your time, although the latter is easier to spot.
Sometimes I find forums to be too slow and good only for search purposes - in IRC, if I have a problem with Linux, Windows, or a programming language that can't be easily found in a timely search session, then there are an abundance of folks willing to help out in real-time. A lot of folks knock IRC for the shit that tends to float around, but I just keep my client open all the time and then go to it when I need to ask a question. It's kind of like my own support team that I haven't paid for in terms of currency. If you've served your time over the years, such as helping others out, then your service will be answered in kind when you have a problem - it's almost like a respect has been built upon, folks remember you; some channels have karma points to increase the reputation of active helpers.
Some of the best professional working relationships I've built have come from IRC, which these days I talk to and consult via direct IM, say with Pidgin instead of clogging the channels.
If you decide to use IRC, I have the same handle there too. :) Hope to see you there!
Mailing lists that are specific to the larger issue, such as a list for a framework, in my experience have shown to be more helpful than forums... your results may vary.
Re: Ask HN: Where do you go for hacking help?
#9Not that I have used it much, but my impression was lately that such things have moved to IRC (rather than usenet)?
I wouldn't say 'lately', thankfully IRC has been around for quite some time.
Re: Ask HN: Where do you go for hacking help?
#10irc.freenode.net
#perl
#ruby-lang
#c
#python
These are just a few of the populated and extremely helpful channels available.