[ since we're OT anyway, I don't mind too much jumping in :) ] On Mon, May 28, 2001 at 00:18 -0500, Curtis Rey wrote:
I agree on the "lack of documentation" thing. I'm a newbie, using Linux since July of last year. I have come to the conclusion that the documentation for Linux, especially the newer stuff, has falling badly behind - if it existed in the first place. I feel lucky that SuSE has at supplied some of the best docs available ( and this mail list) that aren't necessarily written for people with Comp sci/engineering degrees. I check the LDP site and find that much of it is out of date by 2 or in some case 3 version. Much of it is of little use. If it's hard for an experienced or veteran user think about us poor dumb newbies. It can get awfully confusing.
You - and other newbies - can change this situation and have the next newbies suffer less. As long as people ask their questions, have them answered and silently disappear (since _their_ problem has vanished), there won't be any valuable help for the next one to come across this problem. Those people have to ask again ... Now imagine something like this: You're a newbie. You just solved a problem. Plus (very important!) you still are aware of what's a problem for a newbie _besides_ the technical stuff. That's something experienced users won't see -- not because they are cruel, but they are just blind on this very eye. :) If a newbie would consider this situation a chance to contribute and provide his solution to other newbies - in a form that's of real help since it's not only about the tech stuff - things could and maybe would improve. But as long as you expect "the others" to tell you what to do - while they don't have too much time or a different POV too far away to help you - you have to wait and still don't get something that fits your expectation. Yes, we had these threads many, many, many times before. And no, it's not a flame against newbies. But I want to make them aware of the fact that crying "tell me, please, since you're the author and must instruct me" won't work. Only newbies themselves are able to provide the doc other newbies would need efficiently! Help yourself and others by contributing and not just consuming! virtually yours 82D1 9B9C 01DC 4FB4 D7B4 61BE 3F49 4F77 72DE DA76 Gerhard Sittig true | mail -s "get gpg key" Gerhard.Sittig@gmx.net -- If you don't understand or are scared by any of the above ask your parents or an adult to help you.