Labmistress.com

So here’s one thing that really annoys me. Through my different lives, I have come into contact with a lot of people, and have personal relationships with many of them. Occasionally, I get these e-mails that ask me to put someone in contact with one of them, which I really don’t like to do. If I know the person making the request or I think it is for a really worthy cause, well that’s a little different. In general though, I am not Kevin Mitnick’s or Steve Wozniak’s booking agent, although I’m more than happy to provide her information if you so desire. The same goes for the TechTV people from my past, and prominent members of the security industry.

This week I get an e-mail from someone I don’t even know, that has the subject “Get back ASAP.” I’m still wondering why I even read beyond that, because I should have known it was going to be rude. The e-mail has the single question (spelling and grammatical errors left in), “Do you know Waz or not need to get in contact with him…” I replied with the known e-mail address from Steve’s site, figuring this person could contact him directly, as Steve is really good about answering e-mails. In fact, out of all the “known” people I am acquainted with, I have to say that he is probably the best at answering requests from strangers. Not satisfied with my answer, I get yet another rude e-mail that says, “do you know him or not its a easy qwestion.” My reply was simply, “Yes.”

I’m actually a fairly nice person and like to help people out. The reason I don’t like to get involved in such requests is because a lot of the people that I get questions about, do public speaking or writing for a fee. It is their livelihood. If I think that it is a really good cause and the group cannot pay the honorarium, I am more than happy to make the pitch, but that’s about the extent of my involvement. Believe me, I know that I could coast myself through at least three classes with an “A” if I got Steve to come speak at my university, gratis, but would never even consider such a thing. It’s a little too self-serving, even though many people would benefit and be inspired from hearing him talk. Now, if Woz were to volunteer the next time he passes through Vegas…

So, if this is what you are coming here searching, please consider your request before making it as per the guidelines I have set forth. Oh, and don’t be rude.