On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 15:53:25 +0300
David Robertson
or RTFM even.......
Typo! Got it right the second time!
The list is certainly a lot "friendlier." I can remember a couple of years ago when I was almost scared to ask a question, because inevitably it would provoke an RTFM or something along the lines of a contemptuous sneer. Down to one person especially, if I remember rightly..........(who is now gone).
Actually, I can't remember (but am willing to be corrected) a "contemptuous sneer" to a mail saying that in spite of trying the obvious sources the sender could not work something out.
It isn't always that easy to sort through the information you get from google
Not a Linux problem.
or a man page -
Agreed- but at least you would have tried!
Nonetheless, there are many people like me who want to use Linux and learn about it but just need some help - even after using SuSE for about 5 years, I still get in a fix sometimes.
So do we all, but most of us try to solve our own problems first. I can accept that as one learns more it becomes easier to find the right answers, but not trying to learn (e.g. sending a mail just because one can't be bothered to try and find the answer oneself) merely indicates someone who expects others to spoon-feed them (at, of course, the cost of others time, and for those in poorer parts of the world, an expensive and unnecessary waste of bandwidth and money). It's not always easy knowing if
something has been discussed on the list - try searching the archives manually: it's long and tedious, so it is tempting just to post.
So just ask for a direction to the relevant thread if you can't find it.
Yes, people need to be told to RTFM and do a bit of work, but they sometimes also need a bit of slack and understanding, especially from those to whom all of this is second nature.
Agreed, and this list has provided this for years- unfortunately this generosity of spirit has led to the kind of postings to which I object- those who cannot be bothered to try and solve their own problems, but post them. The irritating fact that so many of us in the list who respond in a kindly manner to these results in more "can't be bothered to find out, tell me the answer" posts seems to be missed. And, no, it wasn't second nature to me when I switched- I was flamed for not checking first (rightly so, in my opinion- I hadn't checked), but as I went on (reading this list and others similar), it did become second nature. Questions which state "I have this problem. I have checked a, b, c, and d, but can't find the answer. Can anyone point me in the right direction?" will not only get a rapid response but will also indicate to other list members where the initial checks may be made, and also the way in which to ask for advice. This could be an interesting discussion- Linux- wider use, less computer awareness/knowledge of new users, therefore need for more support of the kind I've been arguing against! Tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you've told them. Perhaps lists like this will need to become tiered? Terence