Open Source Technical Support: A Look at Peer Help-Giving

Abstract

We explore online technical support of open source software by a study of postings to discussion boards. Our results indicate that there are several types of detail that are required by the help-givers to be able to diagnose and remediate help-seekers’ difficulties. As a result help interactions may iterate somewhat inefficiently. These findings are compared with studies of telephone technical help lines for commercial software, and library reference interviews. By considering certain rather problematic interactions we can identify ways to improve the process.is peer reviewedSubmitted by Michael Twidale ([email protected]) on 2009-02-10T20:15:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 hicss_Vandana.pdf: 184596 bytes, checksum: ee7c63f0d34ba144bd2906e1fec23371 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Sarah Shreeves([email protected]) on 2009-02-10T20:29:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 hicss_Vandana.pdf: 184596 bytes, checksum: ee7c63f0d34ba144bd2906e1fec23371 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2009-02-10T20:29:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 hicss_Vandana.pdf: 184596 bytes, checksum: ee7c63f0d34ba144bd2906e1fec23371 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006published or submitted for publicatio