response 26 of 61:

Nov 14 03:31 UTC 1994

Oh, and as far as "indeed a helper"...well, I don't really trust
those flags anyway.  I've been marked as a helper more times than
not when I hadn't set the flag.  

response 32 of 61:

Nov 16 06:07 UTC 1994

In regard to there sometimes not being any "helpers" on line when
a write help is issued:  is it possible (or does it; not sure how
it works now) for that write request to a) realize there are no
helpers on at the moment, and b) issue a message back suggesting
the person e-mail staff (or take pot-luck with the people logged
on?)?
 
Actually, I seem to get a fair number of help requests even though
I don't set the helper flag.  I'm not sure if this is due to an
errant flag (sometimes, I'm sure) or just that I'm logged in a lot.

response 34 of 61:

Nov 16 06:15 UTC 1994

Should be possible to change it then (?)  Guess we need the
programmer of that system to let us know.

response 38 of 61:

Feb 2 18:01 UTC 1995

I consider this something that has gone wrong with the help system:  users
are not becoming helpers and turning on their help flags with the
frequency required for good coverage. I have been observing that most of
the time I am on, I am the only helper on. That implies that there are
long periods during which no helpers are on. Does it matter? I average
about 2 or 3 requests for help, every time I am on in Picospan. How many
requests are going unanswered?
  
While it is totally voluntary to be a helper, I think we should seek
voluntary committments from more people to have their helper flag on.
"Enroll" a group of users that will agree to have their helper flag on
(say) 80% of the time they are on using Picospan. Unless there is more
committment, our "helper" system is more of a "helpless" system. 

Sign me up.

response 40 of 61:

Feb 3 16:29 UTC 1995

Yes, I manage to get both kinds of help-requests.  A lot
of them.

response 42 of 61:

Feb 4 06:33 UTC 1995

I almost never get write requests other than -h ones, and have been
harrassed only once. Do I not present an inviting visage? Anyway, I
think this is a (somewhat) serious matter, unless we just decide to
give up on the helper system. With so few enrolling, those that do
get over-written, tending to drive them away. If enough enrolled,
there would be so many helpers, the chance of any one person being
chosen would become very small. Help yourself by helping others!

response 44 of 61:

Feb 4 18:51 UTC 1995

robh, you are the semi-official helper factotum here - if you start
an item here about getting more helpers, we could get it linked to
agora. If helpers would respond in it with the inspiring stories
of helping grexers, and we plant a few shills to say how wonderful
the helper system is, we could probably press a few new helpers into
service. I do think, though, that we should make available a
"recognition list" of consistent helpers, to recognizze them (and maybe
to encourage them to keep holding their flags high). 

response 46 of 61:

Feb 5 07:47 UTC 1995

Try it - the questions are usually simple, but obviously a problem for
the user. 

response 48 of 61:

Feb 6 06:47 UTC 1995

Thank you omni - I've noticed that, when I log in when you are here. 
tsty is another, as is robh...but I'm going to miss helpers if
I start to make a list! Tonight, there was no one else helping, when
I logged in. 

By the way - robh, you frequently have two logins, one with your
helper flag on and the other without. How does that work out? I
can see how it avoids suspending whatever you are doing otherwise
( always suspend to answer write helps).