Getting Help with ASP.NET

Hello! You have likely reached this page because you asked me (Scott Mitchell) a question about ASP.NET via email, and I replied, directing you to this page. As a frequent poster to many newsgroups, online forums, and discussion groups, and as the author of hundreds of online articles on 4GuysFromRolla.com, DataWebControls.com, www.asp.net, the ASP.NET Dev Center on MSDN, and numerous other sites, I typically receive at least a dozen emails per day with questions from readers around the world.

Sadly, between family and my paying consulting and authoring jobs, I do not have the time to respond to the sheer volume of questions I receive privately through email, so the vast majority of questions sent to me go unanswered.

Typically those who send me a request for help fall into one of two categories:

1. The problem is urgent and requires a thorough, correct answer in a timely manner.  A solution is so vital that it's worth paying to receive a well-explained answer.
2. The problem, while important, is not vital and does not warrant spending money to have answered.

For those sending me questions that fall in the first category, I am now providing paid assistance for answering your questions.  If you are interested in learning more about this service, please read the Premium Support  FAQ.

For those whose problem falls in the second category, please note that I have decided that I will no longer answer questions sent directly to me. Now, before you close your browser in a huff, here's the deal: I may very well answer your question if you post it to one of the public forums, newsgroups, or messageboards listed in Getting Help with Online Forums, Newgroups, and Messageboards. Once you post your question, feel free to send me the URL of your question. I can't promise I'll have the time to look into it, but even if I don't have time / can't answer your question, chances are someone else will be able to help, someone who wouldn't have seen your question if it were sent solely to me. Furthermore, in the future a developer in your same situation may find the answer that you arrived at through one of these public services. It's a win-win.

Regardless of what option you choose, I hope you find a speedy and satisfying answer to your question.

Happy Programming!

     Scott Mitchell
     mitchell@4guysfromrolla.com
     http://www.4GuysFromRolla.com

* When you think ASP.NET, think 4GuysFromRolla.com!

If you have a problem that is urgent and important enough that it demands a quality, thorough, timely answer, you can hire me to provide such an answer.  Below are the frequently asked questions with regards to the Premium Support.  If you have any unanswered questions, please feel free to ask me via email (mitchell@4GuysFromRolla.com).

How much does Premium Support cost?
The cost depends on your question.  Typically the rates are $75 / question, but if your question is one I anticipate will take over an hour of time to research and answer, the rate may be higher.

What do I get for my money?
With Premium Support you get a thorough, written answer to your question.  Your satisfaction is guaranteed; if you are not 100% satisfied with my answer to your question, I will fully refund your payment.  What you do not get with Premium Support is a complete, working, tested code implementation.  The written answer will likely have code snippets in it, but please don't expect me to write your code for you.  If you need my assistance in writing code, I provide off-site consulting services for $175/hr.

I have a question that I want to submit to Premium Support; what steps do I need to take?
To get started, please send me your question via email to mitchell@4guysfromrolla.com.  I will review your question and respond with what the cost of the answer, and specify how to make your payment.  After payment is received, you will receive an answer by email within a few hours.

To summarize, if you have a question warranting Premium Support, please first send it to me, and await my response.  I will promptly respond with information on the cost for answering the question.  There is a money-back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied with your response.

• Newsgroups - I participate in the following newsgroups:
  • microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet
  • microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.buildingcontrols
  • microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.datagridcontrol
  • microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.webcontrols
  If you post to a newsgroup, don't send me a hyperlink. Rather, tell me the subject of your newsgroup post and the newsgroup(s) you posted the question to. Again, if it isn't to one of the above newsgroups, chances are I won't read your message.
  
• Forums / Messageboards - There are two online forums / messageboards I have accounts with:
  • ASPMessageboard.com - you can create an account for yourself here. If your question is ASP.NET-focused, please ask it in the ASP.NET Forum.
  • The ASP.NET Forums - the ASP.NET Forums are totally focused on ASP.NET. There are tons of ASP.NET-related forums and hundreds of posts per day.
  Posting in either of these online forums is fine by me, although there are some advantages and disadvantages to each: the ASP.NET Forums has moderated posts, meaning that your post will not appear until a moderator has given it the green light. There is usually a quick turnaround between posting and having it approved, though. The ASPMessageboard does not force moderation, but does not automatically email you when someone replies to your post, as the ASP.NET Forums do.
  

Suggestions When Posting Your Questions

Before you actually type in your question to one of the resources listed above, first read: How do I post in a messageboard (and get answers)? The jist of that article is that you should do your homework first. Search on Google; search the documentation; search the newsgroups and various ASP.NET resource sites. Spend some time playing with your code; try things out - what works, what doesn't? What gets you a step closer? What seems like a step in the wrong direction?

After doing your homework, if you still need to ask your question, be sure to describe your question thoroughly. List what precisely what you want to accomplish, and what you have tried, and what the results have been. This information proves most helpful to those who take time out of their day to offer their free help.

To Wrap Things Up...

If you've read this far, great! I hope you are motivated enough to post your question to one of the resources listed above. Once you have done so, please drop me an email with directions (either the newsgroup and title or a URL) on how I can get to your post. My email address is mitchell@4guysfromrolla.com.