It depends on the help that is asked for. Someone may have a understanding but can't find the issue. Some just want a full blown explanation with schematics but haven't really looked at or tried to diagnose their machine.
If I ask for help it means I am exhausted and have at least 3 or 4 hours invested and probably frustrated and need real solid help with the schematic line marked out so I can further hunt the issue down. But that is all just me and my opinion.
-Mike

I agree, it varies. I find that people who are trying and learning tend to get more help. They are involved in the process and really are looking for direction. Even when they don't know anything, they get help.

On the other hand, there are people that almost want helpers to lead them by the hand and pretty much do the work for them. Those people tend to languish and don't get much help.

This applies in life as well. If you try and learn, people are more willing to learn and be taught seem to get the better help. But people that demand to be told the solutions don't. The reason is they seem to think the person trying to help them should just figure it out for them. That's not helping, that's doing.

I try to decide depending on their post; really a case by case situation.

I agree.

Seen many responses from Pinsiders offering help. Some suggest a precise fix, some respond with, you need to look at this part.
Some reply with, look up such and such pinball repair guide on line. If the one posting a question didn't know that there are guides, then that is great help. The owners of pinball machines on average have some mechanical skills, and yes many have no mechanical skills what so ever.

Depends on who's asking for the help and who's giving the help, I suppose.

rolf_martin_062 has chimed in on a couple of my EM issues in the past. I've found the schematic snippets he posts, complete with colour-coded notations, really helped me track down issues and expand my EM knowledge. These visuals also help get Rolf's point across, with English not being his first language. Thanks, Rolf!

rolf_martin_062,
You are one of the most helpful EM guys on pinside. You go above and beyond what anyone should expect. The detailed explanations and great highlighted schematics must take so much of your time! You never give up and see a guy to the finish. A lot of people owe you a beer!

About your original question-
I try to give the best help I can to others based on the extra time I have available at the moment. Some days a quick hint...
Some days I am devoted to seeing someones problem through.

Thanks for all your help!

This. Rolf's posts are awesome. Any issues with language are lessened greatly by the images provided.