nostrademons suggestions are a great way to mark yourself as someone trying both to improve and not waste another's time.
I had blogged about how to ask an expert for help in http://www.skmurphy.com/blog/2007/12/12/how-to-ask-an-expert... and suggested a couple more depending upon context. Robert Kelley in "How to Be a Star at Work" had these broader for novices in a new environment:
o Build your network before you need it, if possible.
o Be very mindful of people’s time and don’t waste it.
o Give careful thought to how you phrase your request or question.
o Summarize your attempts to solve the problem or find the information you as asking for help with.
o Verbally thank and follow up in writing, publicly credit.
I had blogged about how to ask an expert for help in http://www.skmurphy.com/blog/2007/12/12/how-to-ask-an-expert... and suggested a couple more depending upon context. Robert Kelley in "How to Be a Star at Work" had these broader for novices in a new environment:
o Build your network before you need it, if possible.
o Be very mindful of people’s time and don’t waste it.
o Give careful thought to how you phrase your request or question.
o Summarize your attempts to solve the problem or find the information you as asking for help with.
o Verbally thank and follow up in writing, publicly credit.