When I was much younger I once wrote some random person, whose email I found in newsgroups, about my troubles getting Linux to compile. They responded politely

When I was much younger I once wrote some random person, whose email I found in newsgroups, about my troubles getting Linux to compile. They responded politely and quickly, with a fix. That person was Linus. I've found my share of trolls and assholes, but likewise I've found that being forthright, polite and respectful tends to yield answers.