Caveat: I'm not sure whether this is even viable, or is allowed (per: "no offline helping" guideline)...

I'm looking to [enjoyably] give back help.
I'm not good at writing/typing, but am ok talking.
I have free time (at certain times, like 8pm or 12/0 PST) to *talk on the phone*.

There's limited things I can help with, because of knowledge & resource limits.
I use VirtualBox on an *old XP netbook*, with slow internet.
I did a lot with Linux/Unix 10+yr ago, so not too current.
I'm more into *JUST* booting to non-GUI shell (than apps etc)
Recently I've mostly just downloaded small .iso's & booted them (quick, simple, &easy in VBox) & looked around. I recently installed Manjaro (tho 640mb -net iso isn't 'small'). I'm trying 320mb CentOS (32bit) next.

I'm not sure how to go about arranging/doing this. ('logistics')
Also, there's probably some way to share screens (collaboration) but I haven't looked into that yet.

FWIW ;-)

p.s. *polite gentle patience* would be key....

You don't really want to post your phone number online.

I wouldn't post my ph# ... I wouldn't want to turn this fine place into a CL sewer;-(
I guess I could reveal my email is same-name at MS's 'live' email service....
(IF the person trusted me, THEN they could let me call them at a pre-planned time, even *67, in US)

... just trying to come up with a way to give [back] (without the confusion that my writing causes;-)

Personal responses via email are discouraged and while many members might prefer one-on-one help the forum benefits everyone 24/7.

1 members found this post helpful.

Posting to a forum also has the benefit of drawing upon a "hive mind"; lots of eyes, lots of different skills, lots of different hardware configs, lots of ideas. I think it tends to be more prone to someone being able to help $RANDOM_QUESTION than a one-to-one phone call.

That said, there are some podcasts out there that welcome caller participation, so maybe that would be of interest. You could share knowledge without trying to hit on a call that magically happens to match your exact skill set.

I second notKlaatu's suggestion. Linux Lugcast is a great project that would welcome your participation.

It is one of the Linux podcasts that I listen to regularly, because I never know what little gems of knowledge I will pick up there. I don't participate only because their recording schedule conflicts with my living schedule.

I also second the cautions about posting your phone number on line. You will likely get far more callers trying to sell you time-shares or botox than you will get persons wanting to benefit from your knowledge.

You should soon if not already be able to send a PM to a user should you decide to offer more direct or personal assistance.


There may be more indirect ways too such as skype and such.

Private message function is allowed after 150 posts, so you have a way to go for that.
I have always found written instructions to be more helpful than verbal instruction, at least regarding computer problems.

Thanks for that 150 post number.

If Jjanel wants to talk on phone then I say more power to him/her. (unless they are an evil green Martian trying to melt the brains out of telephone users across the globe)

I do not give my phone number to random people on internet forums. And no matter how it's done, you would have my number. Never happen, GI.

Don't worry: I'm NOT 'back' to posting, with my unfortunately incorrigible writing ability.

I bot LinuxBeginner.us (for $0.88 == 88cents ... yes, I never buy anything > $1Tree=99Only)
and initially 'redirected' it to this Thread,
until I learn how to 'upload content'. (I learned to ?un?park and that Idk DNS * redirect CNAME)

Being a retired-y2k Unix'er, my intent is to:
help others (without writing), and motivate myself to learn (=enjoy) some of
the 99% of the huge 21th-century Linux 'universe' which I don't [yet] know.

I do know LPIC level 1, but not LPIC-2 (nor Cloud etc).

Maybe helping someone might also motivate me off my XP netbook VBox busybox mll (and cheap tablets/cellphones)
onto 4GBram Win7 laptop and http://termbin.com/t6av I bot for $10 (+$5 2G ram; no hdd but plenty 8G pendrives)

I also want to learn all about Yumi/e2b/rufus/unetbootin/etc (or write a cross-platform usb creator, if I could extend my attention-span beyond 7seconds/21characters)

Anyway, not intending to upset anyone at superbLQ via posting an email address or phone number,
a beginner could 'whois' me (it's a disposable non-main ph# in DNS),
and text, to arrange to talk (about "distro huh?" or "Where is grub EoL 'any' key?").
Oh, ooops, they'd probably have to know lmgtfy.com to do 'whois'. Oh well ... I tried. Sorry. Bye (again).

p.s., to keep useful (non-n00b) questions "on the forum" (per #4), I'd refer non-trivial questions, to be posted, as a Thread.

Jjanel,

You continue to use made up words, abbreviations, and your own personal form of text speak.

You have been asked to refrain from this in the past.

It is fine to have enthusiasm and desire to wish to aid members, however if no one can understand your information, then it is a problem on this forum.

Please refrain from this behavior moving forwards.

I agree with other members' recommendations about not posting personal information as well as the embodiment of the LQ site's intentions. LQ is not here to enable you to make personal contact for providing assistance. If that is your intentions, please find a different forum.

1 members found this post helpful.

Kinda understanding that phone support has it's advantages as instant feedback is a plus from the person with a problem. Like my autistic grandson who I support.

My advice would be to find a lug in your area who has a switchboard for this kind of support. Join them. Problem solved.