--- Chris Puttick
Hi
Hello.
As a result of a core network failure on a scale I hope none of you ever have to face, I've only just had the delightful experience of reading today's developments of "wont run as root". I have to say some of it appalled me. Andrew (Nix, not Ray!) has made it clear a number of times that he is new to Linux; he joined this list on my suggestion as it is intended to help those trying to make Linux a solution in the UK schools environment,
Yes, primarily that is what this list aims to provide support for. Although, more often than not, the questions posed here can easily be answered by RTFM, in my opinion :)
and I do not have either enough time or enough knowledge to resolve all the problems he comes across by being both a Linux "newbie" and supporting a cutting edge environment.
It is not a sole cruisade, Chris -- no one expects you alone to.
To give some background, the Linux thin client network that faces our Mr Nix every working day is one of the biggest in the world (no exaggeration); it is also one of the only large-scale Linux deployments in an English school. Because of the realities of the British education system, there has been neither enough time or money to provide Andrew and his colleague with the training that they ideally would have had to support such a solution.
Well then, that begs the question why the hell people who are *new* to Linux should have to maintain such a system -- good grief, I find that quite funny.
This list provides them with access to essential front-line knowledge to make their position vaguely tenable.
Yes, but that is hardly a means to an end. Sure, if one asks a question on this list, the answer is more or less resolved. But what happens when something major fails?
Those that are helped tend to become the helpers of the future; this is the primary advantage to me of utilising open source solutions - there's always someone slightly ahead of you who can help you the next step up the ladder, empowering you to then help those below.
Aye, that is true.
Don't take this personally, Thomas, but your answers have become increasingly complex, difficult to understand and are often not the simplest solution.
I do take that a little personal, as I'm sure you would had I have said that to you, Chris. How simple *should* the answers be? How *should* I answer the questions posed to me. As for their complexity, I refute that. My answers are *based* on the complexity of the question. If you get hot under the collar, just because I might offer a simple shell one-liner, then I suggest you go away and learn some simple shell programming basics. I answer the questions in the manner I see fit. Difficult to read? How do you mean? If you're referring to a semantical point of view, then tough -- I speak English just like you. If there were any parts that you do not understand, you should ask me. I also assume that when I answer questions on this list that the person/people reading them have a very simple understanding of what/where they should be typing the commands, etc. It's a trade-off between answering the question and patronising them with "At the console, move your fingers over the keyboard, etc.......". Maybe I will answer my questions like that.
Occam's razor is a simple tool for simple people like myself; please think about using it. In the thread in question, Garry gave a simple and effective answer which I personally was unaware of and have stored away for future use. While your discussion with our Mr Ray has been enlightening in parts, if I had read it 2 years ago it would have made very little sense and been of no use.
I disagree with that. And also, you shoot yourself in the foot somewhat. By a really odd coincidence, this mailing list is archived. I have noticed of late that there seems to be a number of questions that have *already* been asked. With regards to that particular thread, I will say it now, as I did then, that ALL the suggestions mentioned by Mr. Ray and myself *WILL* work, had the instructions been followed. I find it a little unnerving that a simple command: ssh -X etc... can cause so much mis-understanding, all because the "-X" switch was in lower case.
And that's the point; on this list, unlike some others, answers need to be of use and preferably immediate. That's why people join, to ask for help.
And I like to think that over the years, I have *tried* to provide that.
Moreover, by its very nature, many people joining will be very new to Linux, and possibly have little general technical understanding;
I can cope with that.
those of us who can help do. When we can't help, we look forward to answers from those with more knowledge.
Are you saying that my replies are not worthy of an answer? -- Thomas Adam ===== Thomas Adam "The Linux Weekend Mechanic" -- www.linuxgazette.com ________________________________________________________________________ Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo! Messenger http://mail.messenger.yahoo.co.uk