We're all DDs now >.>

[Orrias]

Doing all that you can to see to the success of the group IS equal contribution.

How do you measure "equal contribution" of different roles? Apples and oranges... :P

as a healer (and a tank though I never mained a tank) in WoW you were/are absolutely expected to do damage when healing was covered in high end raiding.

My issue with the mentality is where it should be picked up by players, during their progression through the game.

Solo gaming is for playing how you want, anytime you venture into group activity you should be of the mind to do what the group needs, not what you want. If you want to half-ass it, PF is there to find other people that want to do that as well.

Sure, I agree, but the issue stems from a vocal part of the playerbase just expecting random people to be able to perform in dungeons/PUGs. I think that's unfair and the vitriol/childishness that ensues is saddening. People need to use a bit of conventional wisdom and tact to encourage random players to increase their skill with the Job/Role, because at the end of the day, trying to force people to do something they're not comfortable/familiar with isn't going to go down well.

Imagine if you just got back into an old MMO or a new one's endgame, only to find that more seasoned players expected more than what's listed as an expectation to the Jobs fantasy (e.g. if you picked up FFXIV wanting to heal and then was suddenly bombard by others saying you're supposed to dps too, it may comes as a surprise), and then compound that with the tactless bashing that people do.

My approach this in a broad sense; as PF and statics vet for what they expect/what their intentions and goals are. It's in DF (NA/EU) - typically dungeons - that this occurs. If it's a random dungeon, then expect Joe/Jane Doe to not be up to the same standard (if you're mid-hardcore) - hope for the best but prepare for the worst.