I realize a mentor's role is not to provide all the answers, but I'd still be concerned whether what I happen to know is what the person really needs. I'm probably not unique in that I know a lot about some things, and virtually nothing about others. When helping someone here, I can be confident others will jump in to correct me or fill in the gaps.
I had a thought i didn't express when the
Configuring Media Center's audio output discussion was taking place. It's at least partially applicable here as well. The essence of that issue (it seems to me) is we usually don't know very much of anything about a particular user's circumstances—the type of equipment they have, their preferences, knowledge level or what it is they want to achieve. In many cases, the user doesn't even know these things—because they don't understand the issues involved or the options available. In the specific case of configuring audio, I know first hand this is true—because I'm not an audiophile and therefore don't have much interest in the technical issues involved. I do know, however, I have some equipment that should produce reasonably good sound. I also know, from painful experience, I'm a geek and I won't be happy until I'm sure I'm getting the best performance possible out of the equipment and software I have.
If there had been a place for me to go and get some help in first describing all the relevant aspects of my situation and what I wanted to achieve, then more experienced users would be able to make concrete recommendations on exactly what I should do. I would expect there would be a discussion where some would deal with the big picture, while others would suggest how to handle specific aspects. I imagined the "deal" would be the new (or any) user would describe their situation fully—including equipment model numbers, benchmarks, other users involved, etc. They would then sit back and receive a ton of great advice from the experts. Not everyone would want to subject themselves to this, but many would benefit by being able to see the responses given in circumstances similar to their own. Finding a "case study" similar to your own wouldn't be very difficult if the descriptions of circumstances were provided using a fixed form or questionnaire. The first thing experienced users might do is help the user modify that description so everyone understands the facts.
So now I wonder if the same idea might be applied in a somewhat more general way. The user would not have to seek advice of everything, but just the areas they're most concerned about or want to deal with first. The questionnaire, hopefully, would guide them in specify the information relevant to their concern, and leave out the rest. Whether or not they want a personal mentor, they're likely to hear from other users with very similar circumstances and needs. Part of the questionnaire could ask if their interested in receiving person communications or meeting with other users in their vicinity. It would probably be best to leave the nature of that relationship up to the individuals who choose to make contact, rather than putting a label on it.
If I had the ability to be brief,
I suppose I would say forget traditional mentoring. We're too far-flung, both geographically and in terms of needs, preferences and levels of interest for that to ever work. But I think we can do a better job of collectively mentoring new users via this forum. And I think this kind of interaction will foster closer personal relationships—some of which may end up looking like mentoring.
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Topic: Mentors -- for discussion (Read 6113 times)