This brings back really bad memories...and this is why I refuse to help others when it comes to IT stuff. The last thing I wanted to read was what I used to do in the past to gain others approval, and how it never worked.
I used to think that helping my other dumb grad mates with installing Linux made me look cool and I would be accepted. On the contrary, I looked like an idiot, now that I think of it. i became that weirdo support tech kid for the idiot professors, who could not tell the difference between Java and Javascript.
I only help my "internet" friends now. At least they don't treat you like shit.
It really depends on who is being helped and the motive for you “helping” them. I’ve had both really good and pretty bad experiences helping and trying to help people with various computer things. As with providing any kind of support, it’s important to get out of your own head and understand what the person your helping wants and needs