First published: April 12, 2012

My first encounter here was electrifying–literally! I had bought a cooktop on eBay and wanted to install it myself. I posted a plea for help on AskMeHelpDesk’s Electrical & Lighting board, and Stratmando answered. He explained about wires that didn’t match the colors in the junction box, so off I trotted to my kitchen, and, thanks to Stratmando, what I did WORKED.

I’ll never forget that “first” here, even after answering thousands of questions myself. Some members’ questions have led me to research subjects that have added to my own knowledge, while for other questions I just offered personal advice based on my own life experience. Don’t you ever wonder how many people who are good at dispensing online advice are as good with their own real-life relationships? For that reason, I try to put a bit of myself into my responses, saying “I know it’s easy for me to say,” or “I haven’t always been able to do this easily myself.”

The best part of AMHD is reading someone’s reply that my answer worked or was appreciated or even just acknowledged. I had thanked Stratmando that first day, and he had said, “You’re welcome.”

The second best (or tied for first) thing about this site is the community. Personalities shine through the words, and friendships develop—an amazing and wondrous online world!