People do anything for points on StackOverflow. It's pretty much the same thing
'What do you mean, you posted constructive feedback on that startup idea on HN for free?! You should be getting paid a consulting fee for that service!'
How to become an unpaid technical support worker for Google
11–20 of 64 posts
Re: How to become an unpaid technical support worker for Google
#12One of the most beautiful things about the internet is that it enables platforms for individuals to create value and then receive no share of that value. We see much lamenting about lack of innovation in "business plans" around here, and yet we have an historic opportunity to examine the relationship between value creation and compensation. Why is the Etsy IPO plan so exceptional? Why do so menu community members of…
Or Stackoverflow? They are monetizing free support from thousands of developers, and it's arguably made the internet a better place.
Re: How to become an unpaid technical support worker for Google
#13People do anything for points on StackOverflow. It's pretty much the same thing
Except SO forums contain much more valuable information than official google resources. Also UI of google groups so awful. And google support just a myth, I've never seen any who got any response from them, only a few mentions in internet.
Not sure why you are being downvoted, while I own much of my career to SO for the transfer of esoteric computer knowledge to the public domain, official Google resources haven't done much for me.
Indeed, most of the useful information about Google tools come from SO!
Re: How to become an unpaid technical support worker for Google
#14It gives lonely people a chance to build professional credibility. Why the hate? Is it really that different from a software company requiring you to learn the latest technologies in your free time?
Re: How to become an unpaid technical support worker for Google
#15People do anything for points on StackOverflow. It's pretty much the same thing
Maybe it's just personal but when I respond a question in SO I feel I am giving back to the community... This feels more like giving it to Google.
Google already monetize their service by making me see ads(which is fair). SO monetize their service by showing me employment opportunities (which to me is better). Google model doesn't need the community to work... The entire SO model is a paying forward knowledge transfer.
So... At least to they it is not the same thing.
Re: How to become an unpaid technical support worker for Google
#16This is what made me ditch Gmail. After using it for several years, I stumbled across a serious bug that removed all email from my inbox. I tried contacting support, but there was none; all I got were replies from top contributors pointing me to other people with the same issue. It becsme clear that there was no way to escalate the issue or get help from someone who could actually investigate the bug or help restoring my email. Top contributors are not an actual replacement for customer support.
I've since switched to a paid email provider.
Re: How to become an unpaid technical support worker for Google
#17Wow.....just wow. The "benefits of becoming a top contributor" video made me want to bash my head into a wall.
My college professor used to (still does I bet) proudly put the stack overflow 25karma point sticker and a letter of thanks from the admins on the door to his office. And this was a man with tenure etcetera.
It's entirely possible that the support he received from others outweighed the time he put in supporting others. I know for sure that's the case for me.
Re: How to become an unpaid technical support worker for Google
#18Reminds me of a SaaS company (I won't name) solved the problem of "too much support time wasted on non-enterprise clients" by funneling all non-enterprise support questions to a community forum and encouraging contributors to answer those questions.
I answered dozens of questions for many days, thinking it will help build credibility (as suggested by another commenter). Then I realized I'm just volunteering as level 1 support, and decided it's not worth it.
Re: How to become an unpaid technical support worker for Google
#19I wish we would get slavery back. At least they got some food.
Re: How to become an unpaid technical support worker for Google
#20This is what made me ditch Gmail. After using it for several years, I stumbled across a serious bug that removed all email from my inbox. I tried contacting support, but there was none; all I got were replies from top contributors pointing me to other people with the same issue. It becsme clear that there was no way to escalate the issue or get help from someone who could actually investigate the bug or help restorin…
Do you have a link to your post outlining the issue?