Re: New to Debian
On Thu, 22 Aug 2002 22:35:15 +0100
"Keith O'Connell" <keith_oconnell@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
###|> (3) Any "memo" that uses the phrase "rule of thumb" is going
###|> to be ignored by me. ROT was the way to beat a woman. :-P
###|
###|No it wasn't;
###|
###| http://www.debunker.com/texts/ruleofthumb.html
###|
###|A little unfortunate in a message berating another for not checking their facts :-)
###|
No, it wasn't unfortunate because your link has great value. And I thank you for the link.
After reading a few sites I found that Judge Buller in 1778 to 1800 was also known as Judge Thumb (in a cartoon). While he later stated he never used such a rule - it shows the passion behind the statement. There is also the discussion of the American Southern Judge during the Civil War using the Rule of Thumb.
After reading a few more sites - I came to the same point I was when I wrote my earlier message - someone should not use the phrase Rule of Thumb - unless they are trying to upset someone. My reasons are the same and my schema is strengthened - thanks to your prompting me to look deeper into the use of the phrase.
FWIW, I berated the emailer for providing a link that he had not read and was not using - despite berating someone else for not RTFM ...
I'll repeat that part because it has value - please do not tell someone to read something - if - you - in fact - have not read it. That is not the intention of RTFM.
Instead, if you do a search for a man, info, or web page then let the person know what you did - so that they can follow what you modeled.
For example, after reading the link you provided I used "Rule of Thumb" in google and then browsed a few of the sites and then saw that Henry Ansgar Kelly is credited with authoring many opinions on the subject. So I added to the google search "Rule of Thumb Henry Ansgar Kelly" ... and read many more fascinating sites.
It was quite a journey and I thank you for starting me on it !
Hopefully this demonstrates my willingness to look into the subject as well as suggest that my interpretation is not based on feminism but rather being careful not to push someone's hot buttons unnecessarily.
People are using RTFM improperly as an ego boost - by saying - I spent 2 minutes and found an answer to your "stupid" question. They then leave out "HOW" they found the answer as well as the answer -- and this leaves the person hanging. SO - someone who says RTFM is doing nothing but showing off.
IMHO, everyone will learn more by modeling and not chastising. After all, I'm here to learn. Hopefully this diatribe is of value to those interested in learning too. Otherwise, sorry for not keeping it brief.
"Penguins roasting on an open fire"
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