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Mostly Drupal for now -- Photography coming soon!

Thank you Drupal family

Wed, 02/25/2009 - 23:19 -- Michelle

Earlier today, someone created an account just to attack me. I was in the lobby of the YMCA when it was pointed out to me on IRC. For a while I was in shock, fighting back the tears so I didn't look silly crying there in public about something on the computer. I've been having a rough time with Drupal lately, feeling overwhelmed by all the people looking to me for help, not getting paid for a big chunk of my very limited freelancing, frustrations with trying to get my main site to Drupal 6. On top of it all, I had this crazy idea to write a book that is going much, much slower than I hoped. And then there was this forum post, there for all the world to see, telling me that almost every post I've written was "condensending and discouraging". Now I'm human like anyone else and I have my bad days. I'm sure I've had posts here and there that fit that description, especially when someone hits my pet peeve of not reading what I've taken the time to write before asking what's right there. But "almost every post"? I suddenly found myself questioning the hundreds (thousands?) of hours I've spent trying to help people over the last four years. If that's the sort of impression I was making, I figured it was time to move on.

But then a funny thing happened. That hurtful post gathered a few nice comments, and then more, and more, until I was overwhelmed with all the love pouring in. By the time I had a kid free moment to answer the post, there was over 30 responses! I went from being angry and hurt to blushing at the overflowing praise. I'm just one of many people in this community working to make it better. No one special; just a volunteer like many of you who takes some time to help those who aren't as far along. And yet the community stood up and made it clear that I do matter, that the work I've done here is important. We are a family, here, this Drupal community. And I am so thrilled to be a part of this wonderful family.

Thank you to all of you who came to cheer me up when I was feeling down. You've given me the push I needed to keep going.

Michelle

Categories: 
Drupal
Planet

Comments

Although it's repeat, but this thought is currently high in my mind that you are the only one I know, who being a mother takes care of her two toddlers, while also helping Drupal grow as a contributor, a supporter, and a drupal.org maintainer in the meantime. And I back this thought with my observation form the last years, since you weren't a mother yet. Just wonder we have "Moms in Drupal" amazing! :D

Michelle++

--
Cheers

Submitted by Visitor on

i have no idea who you are or why anyone would attack you but if you have contributed a character of code to drupal you are a champ in my books.

peace

Submitted by Boris on

One of the things I have been thinking about is helping primarily unpaid volunteers like yourself *scale*. So, those are many hours. Can you spend some of them "apprenticing" some devs who would have time for paid work, some of which they would donate/pay back to you?

This might make some of those depending requests a little more manageable. Just a thought.

And yes, Michelle, you ARE family and we appreciate you being a part of us. Take the time you need for yourself, too (I've fallen into this trap before).

Submitted by NeilPorter on

It's easy to write a snarky post. It's much harder to be you and actually make a positive difference. Keep it up Michelle, you're a star.

Submitted by victorkane on

Just the other day here in far off Buenos Aires, Rosamunda and I were discussing a site we are working on together, and we had a doubt about whether to use this or that module, or this or that approach. Then Rosamunda told me "Michelle took the time to explain it to me..."

So you are a star here in Argentina, too, Michelle!

Thanks for all your help!

Victor Kane
http://awebfactory.com.ar

Submitted by prbass on

Remember that whilst the community really appreciates your help, you are under no obligation to give it.

I've noticed a horrible trend as free-software becomes more mainstream - people somehow think that they are ENTITLED to the contributors time. They aren't - so don't let these people get you down.

Thank you for your contributions, keep up the excellent work, and don't feel bad about saying "no" to some support requests - particularly from people with a bad attitude.

Hurrah for you, and the hundreds like you who help to make Drupal such an awesome piece of software.

Submitted by AnonymousCoward on

Since there are now billions of people within easy reach of a keyboard, one of the unfortunate consequences of helping many, many people is that it increases the likelihood that sooner or later you'll bump cybershoulders with some kind of sociopath.

And then there are the rest of us who just make use of your contribution without a word of thanks.

So, uh, belated thanks!

Life would be an even bigger struggle without people like you.

Submitted by Michelle on

Thank you everyone, you're all so sweet! I wrote this post because I wanted to thank the community. I wasn't trying to get more thanks for me. LOL! I'm just so amazed at this community. You are all wonderful. :)

Michelle

Submitted by Fin on

Michelle,

Never mind the begrudgers - unfortunately they are everywhere. Giving your time to the community is a very noble effort, this is totally unconnected to whether people like your contributions. For me your advanced forum has been an increddible gift and I chech in here often to see how progress is doing on APK. I am looking forward to seeing a stable D6 version.

Keep up the good work - and know that even if it doesnt always seem like it - people do care, and appreciate what you are doing.

Fin

Submitted by ArjanLikesDrupal on

Hi Michelle, thanks for posting this. The responses on the forum topic reminded me just how cool the Drupal Community is (not that I forgot :)), and your post is an inspiration for me to head over to the issue queues a little more often and try to help out with modules I know how to use. Keep up the good work & spirit!

Submitted by Tony on

Hi Michelle,

Let me just say, that it's thanks to you that I have a better idea of how to use Drupal! You are a fantastic person and fantastic at what you do!

I appreciate what you do! And if I where you I would forget that shitty comment on that post and look at all the good posts you have received!

Good luck with the book!!

:)

Submitted by momendo on

No worries. One thing I learned during the many years while using the Internet is to develop a THICK skin. No one can take away the effort or enthusiasm that you bring. It's easy for people to scorn and criticize, especially behind the anonymity of the Internet. Don't let it get you down. Think positively. Likewise, I know some programmers have social skills that aren't perfect. The worst have what I call, "Programmer's Omnipotence(TM)". We programmers and open source contributors have to really try hard to not piss off people because *it's so easy to do* when our heads are buried in code. When you feel down, go outside, smell the roses, talk to someone you love, take it easy, and then all will be better.

Thanks for all that you do!

Cheers!

Submitted by droople on

U ROCK, 24/7

Submitted by Dave on

Hey Michelle, just wanted to say thanks for all of the work you have done with Drupal. You have inspired me to get involved in Drupal and I have been successfully building Drupal sites for over a year now.

Thanks!

Submitted by Michelle on

LOL! Thanks you guys. :)

Actually, droople, I pretty much am dead to the world between midnight and 7am unless one of the kids gets up. ;)

Michelle

Submitted by seutje on

Lies!

Between all the documentation and issue queue posts, I bet you're still helping people out while you sleep.

Or just by leading by example (or how do they call that in English?) and inspiring people who think it's impossible to combine being busy and being awesome.

I don't need to tell you how much you mean to the community, I think you got the point by now :P

Kind regards,
Steve

Submitted by Visitor on

I just read The rising power of geek mums and thought of Michelle. While I wouldn't take the time to register on drupal.org just to slam someone, I think the OP was dismissed too easily and had some valid points. Michelle, you do some great work, but do you really need to interject every self-reference with I'm-a-mom-too-busy-to-do-Drupal-or-help-you-but-I'm-so-cool-I'll-do-it-anyway.-For-free. Have used your projects, and am likely to use them in the future. I'll put something in your tip-jar eventually. Probably when you stop whining about 'woe is life as a geek mother'.

Submitted by Michelle on

So taking time to make an account to slam me is not ok but doing it anonymously on my site is? Lovely.

I have absolutely never said "'m-a-mom-too-busy-to-do-Drupal-or-help-you-but-I'm-so-cool-I'll-do-it-anyway.-For-free." The thought of me referring to myself as "so cool" is ludicrous. Sure, I've mentioned that I'm busy with the kids. I have extremely limited computer time and I want to make it clear that the work I do with Drupal is going to be on an erratic schedule and I can't really say when anything is going to be done.

Save your money. I don't want money from someone who would come onto my site just to hurt me. Did you run out run out of puppies to kick?

Next time be sure to leave your name. I'll make sure to never talk again to you so you don't have to worry about my "whining".

Michelle

Submitted by Keven Ages on

wow! what a crazy couple of days!

Michelle, I just wanted to echo a HUGE thanks for all you've done for the Drupal community, I being a member of that community can safely say I've personally gained from your hard work.

Thanks again! Godspeed.

Submitted by Frank Sirett on

I am quite new to Drupal, less than a year, and I have a very few names of people who are capable of making things clear and easy for me.

I can only say you are probably at the top of that list.

I have not read the comment. I do not need to. I know who produces the information that gets me ahead with no jarring surprises. I cannot ask for more and expect much less.

The Drupal community, one in which I mostly lurk because I have little worthy to offer, feels something like a home and it is you, and a few others, who make it that way.

One day, I hope I can carry on and help someone else. That is what community is all about.

I lose from time to time because I am not prepared to put in the effort to protect myself from the minority of people who call me a "sucker." I only need see their constant search for a soft spot and the grinding, austere life they live. I am able to weather the vagaries because it really does always go around and come around.

By the way, I really like your community site and I am building something like that on my system to be launched...one day.

Submitted by Eben on

Michelle:

I guess I'm behind the times (that's nothing new) and just read your "attack" blog. Well whoever attacked only diminished himself/herself. I really appreciate your hard work, and I haven't even started to learn about the modules you have developed.

I'm glad you have decided how to proceed so you can devote time to your kids. It will pay off in high dividends as they grow.

Thanks for being part of the Drupal community.

Take care,

Eben

Submitted by Michelle on

You're welcome, Eben, and thank you. :)

Michelle

Submitted by morten on

i'm one of the people you have helped a couple of times and i remember it very well. We chatted a bit on irc about ½-1 year ago and i found you not at all condescending - not even remotely. Quite the contrary.
If it weren't for adv forum + profile i probably wouldn't be making a living doing drupal work today.
so screw that idiot and keep up the good work - it's really appreciated.

best wishes
Morten

Submitted by tradenet on

Remember that in all "families" there are bad apples...we all know what/who the good ones are.

Submitted by shannonf on

keep your chin up for every one jerk you run into online there are thousands who appreciate what you do :)