supervisor ~ fishing

Interesting way.. in how to relate your boss with fishing. :)
Got this idea from one of my collaborator while we were having a conversation during my experiment period (since he was a teacher from his home country).

There are several types of supervisor.. let's we describe them in a picture of these.. We want to get a fish, and our boss is the one who is supposed to help us obtain that fish. Several methods that are applicable for them are described as follow:

1. Boss "gives" you the fish.

2. Boss shows you "how" to fish, "where" to fish and "gives" you fishing equipments.

3. Boss shows you "where" to fish and "gives" you fishing equipments.

4. Boss "gives" you fishing equipments.

5. Boss "tells" you to fish.


So.. which type of your boss you have?

Undergrad's enticement

PS: I think the post is more relevant to those who are working on computational studies or such.

A: Do you ever get stuck
B; No!
A: Are you sure?
B: Well, actually, I am stuck now.
A:. Okay, then at one moment, imagine you find a paper, pretty similar with what you are doing. All that remains are changing the numbers or formulas. Once you are able to replicate them, you’ll graduate, okay
B: But, how do I replicate them? I am laz, oops. stuck! Okay, may be I will email the authors of this paper to see if they can send the code.
A: Then your problem is solved?
B: Of course! I will graduate! Hooray!

Okay, let’s draft the email:

Dear Prof (well known, very senior Professor in the area)

Hi, My name is *male is worst *, I am currently pursuing PhD degree in *well known university in first world country* under Prof. *rival* and I am doing project on *alien stuffs for the addressee, familiar only to his “golden boy” PhD who had self-studied them*. Recently I came accross your interesting paper *come on, you’re bluffing, aren’t you* titled *I will rephrase it for my thesis title* and I found it is quite related to my research interest. (etc.. etc.. ask for the source code and thanks)

Note: Hey, you have to be very lucky if the addressee did not delete it instantly. Then, you will spend another fortune so they read your email, another for replying it and the last your ‘already dry’ fortune to receive what you want.

Okay, let’s make another draft.

Hi Professor (well known, very senior Professor in the area)

I am a student from *third world/developing country*. I am doing final year project on *general stuff* which is really interesting yet challenging task. Recently, I was given an interesting paper, titled *yes, it is really interesting* that is quite similar with what I am trying to do. Thus (etc.. etc.. ask for the source code and thanks)

Note: Good, he/she would give it once he/she opened his/her email.

Done. Remember to send an email saying how grateful you are.