Idiosyncratic cries for "help!"

[rich_roast]

I like this one from the Ubuntu forums:

omg! my ubuntu updater just stucked!! what should i do O_O :\\\
it just stucked on applying changes mission! omg panic!!
last time i reseted after updater stucked i gained non-working ubuntu omg omg omg
it not continue since 14:00
and now is 20:37!!!

The urgency of the post is probably what gets me. That and calling the process a "mission". I have visions of a panicked user running around the computer in circles, face in hands, crying "ohmygodohmygodohmygod!"

Any others? Judging for the way the problem is worded, not for the problem itself (i.e. no "heh, doesn't know how to Google/use the CLI/compile" on that basis alone).

BTW, at the time of writing it's still unsolved; judging by the screenshot attached apt is stuck setting up python-desktopcouch-records, whatever that is.

I can't help it: kthxbai!

[lagagnon]

...and I hope the poster does not get a response, as that would be pandering to idiocy.

But in all likelihood:

1) English may not be the poster's native language, or the poster is poorly educated or less than 12 years old, or all of these,
2) the poster normally "communicates" via cellphone texting and/or Internet Messenging,
3) ignores standard forum etiquette and punctuation,
4) expects an instant reply (again suggesting normal communication mode = twitter, cellphone text, IM)

Obviously never read or ignores forum rules. But then that seems to be par for the course on many Internet forums, including this one, unfortunately.

[rich_roast]

Oh, I agree with the assessment, it just that lolcat posts like these pander to something in my sense of humour and there's something precious about them.

I don't see any specifically wrong with this request for help - the poor fellow is having trouble with apt (unless they're trolling), and seems scared to close it in the middle of its "mission", yet is stuck with it going on forever. It's a sad place for a newcomer, or anyone, to be in. I couldn't think of a way out that would satisfy me, but then I'm just inept (inapt? Boom tiss).

It's the expressiveness of the post that caught my attention. I think this post, and others like it, are great for that reason, although I can definitely see how they are an irritant, too, and aren't efficient in actually getting assistance.

[Update] The chap got some help, and the problem was solved by just force quitting Ubuntu updater and updating apt. Then they switched subject to "how to get skype". Reply #9 and counting

[Husse]

I see posts like that too often and I tend to ignore them or at times I just reply "Please clarify"
(Clarify what? - Everything )

[dawgdoc]

I like this one from the Ubuntu forums:

omg! my ubuntu updater just stucked!! what should i do O_O :\\\
it just stucked on applying changes mission! omg panic!!
last time i reseted after updater stucked i gained non-working ubuntu omg omg omg

The urgency of the post is probably what gets me. That and calling the process a "mission". I have visions of a panicked user running around the computer in circles, face in hands, crying "ohmygodohmygodohmygod!"

I think you are entirely misreading this rich_roast. Based on the "mission" terminology, the poster is actually a SOF operative who has just had his rescue mission changed by bureaucrats.