> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.osoc.be/global/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.osoc.be/global/tools/discord/remote-helping.md).

# Offering and Receiving Help

## Asking for Help from Anyone

We have a bunch of help channels in Discord. Got a question? Pop in in there. Someone might pick it up 👀. 

![](/files/-MBtKAiOmxcaz4cNRowX)

## The Rubber Duck Debugging Technique

Have you ever asked someone a question, and by asking it, and then you realise you know the answer? Let's avoid the awkward *"Oh never mind.. sorry"* moment by using the [Rubber Duck Debugging technique](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_duck_debugging)!

You take rubber (or imaginary) duck, and you explain the problem. Out loud. Yes, really. Observe how talking to yourself makes you smarter.

Couldn't figure out find the answer? [Ask in one of the help channels](/global/tools/discord/remote-helping.md#asking-for-help-from-anyone) or [consult a coach](/global/tools/discord/remote-helping.md#asking-for-help-from-coaches)!

![A duck](/files/-MBtNW8IP4cyMZLyX6wT)

You can read more about this technique on [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_duck_debugging) – specifically for development. However, it's also useful for problems, like finding out how a certain tool works. Try it and let us know if it worked!

## Asking for Help

Whenever a someone types "@helping-hand" in one of the help channels, everyone that clicked the little hand in the #help channel, will get a notification. If you can help out, you can just react on that message in the corresponding channel!

![](/files/-MeJFcUv_4_ElBPeyd0w)

## Making Yourself Available to Help

Click the little hand emoji in #help to make yourself available to help!

Tip: As a coach, whenever you have some time off *– AKA letting your students go 🔥*, you can offer your time to help out students by clicking the hand emoji in the help channel #start-consulting.

![#help channel](/files/-MeJF23PGBoZ2hlJ2WjI)

{% hint style="info" %}
Aim to be available to people outside of your team approximately for one hour a day (fulltime coaches) or half an hour a day (halftime coaches).
{% endhint %}

Even if you're not actively consulting, and you see a message pop up in one of the help channels, you don't have to hold back. Open summer of code was built on people helping each other out!