Almost every day we have an unsolved problem. So of them:
- Where is my ball? Daddy help!!!
- Dude were is my ride?
- Who have seen my keys?
- Why my project does not work?
For first three, usually we have to deal with it alone or ask our wives.
I don’t know why, but for last problem the “wife option” does not work.
Simple problem, simple solution
Our first choice is Google (or Bing) and we are redirect to StackOverflow/forum/blog. 30 seconds and we are happy. If problem is a little more complicated (or we didn’t search enough) we can ask question. My case: Last week I need to calculate stats for all threads, which I was executing. SO was the perfect solution and I received a full generic code
Complex stuff
Above stack works perfectly when we have a problem in code. But what about problem with external solution - it can be “black box”, open-source, something mixed - especially when it is a performance solution. I suggest to do following:
- find official forum (sometimes it is SO) - in my opinion authors don’t like unanswered question, so someone will take care
- find official mailing group - I hate this kind of forum, but it works same as above
- use social media
- if someone answer on above, especially when he is evangelist or author “attack” him personally :)
- ask your friends - maybe someone knows a specialist
Using all above options remember about most important option: 