Most people are nice. Most people are glad to help. Most people don't like wasting their time. Most people don't want to be taken advantage of.<p>Given those conditions I think this article makes good sense. Approaching people with those conditions in mind usually has good results. Most people are happy to give advice because it is free [lawyer joke here] and the giver feels like they are helping. It is much harder to ask for money because the giver is likely to have a greater sense of being taken advantage of.
The hardest part is really finding the courage and right strategy to approach these people. I've done it. And you are right. Many will talk. But the hardest part for me was working through my own personal discomfort and putting myself in a frame of mind to think it was "realistic" to get a response. (oh and good work with the title)