In July 2024 I was working on a Python project and wanted a way of showing elapsed time in the following format:
1 hour, 20 minutes ago
or,
15 minutes, 42 seconds ago
I knew datetime didn’t have anything like that, so searched the internet for options. I also knew there are lots of packages, but all I really needed was a function.
Eventually, I found ago which looked perfect. I dropped the file in my project directory, tested it out, and it was perfect for my needs. I was so happy to have avoided probably an hour or mores work, I decided to send the developer (Russell Ballestrini) a quick email, thanking him for making it available for lazy people like me (also put a screenshot of how I was using it).
Not longer after, I got a reply. He seemed genuinely happy that I’d found, and was using his code. Told me to check out his other projects to see if there might be anything else of interest.
So, his work saved me hours. That’s got to be worth, what, two minutes to take a screenshot, compose an email, and press send.
Developer Burnout
It’s well known that programmers often suffer from burnout, see here and here. If someone is having a bad day (or not) it’s certainly not going to make their day worse, if they receive a random “thank you” email.1
Not Just Software
Sending a quick thank you email isn’t just for code you use. Same applies to tutorials, which may have taken hours or days to write. Maybe you learnt something new. Maybe someone made you laugh. Maybe your opinion was changed.2
Have I Convinced You?
If so, think of the last stranger who helped you, even though they don’t know it, and let them know they did.
Footnotes
1 Correct me if I’m wrong. Doubt it though…
2 Not me. I’m always right!