Re: Debian Kindergarten List (was: Debian List for Idiot Debian Users - seriously).
Joe(joe@jretrading.com) is reported to have said:
> In message <3uAvX-58J-13@gated-at.bofh.it>, Raquel Rice
> <raquel@thericehouse.net> writes
> >
> >Although not Debian specific, there are Linux lists where "RTFM",
> >and the attitudes which go along with it, are not the "norm" and are
> >even not allowed. Yet, the people who answer questions are not "the
> >blind leading the blind" as suggested.
> >
> >I know I'll get flamed for this response, but maybe it's time to
> >grow up, boys.
> >
> Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day, and...
>
> ...the next day, he'll be back in the same place at the same time,
> waiting for you to give him *his* fish.
>
> The last thing he's going to be interested in doing is to learn to fish,
> as this disqualifies him from free fish. You make a reference to growing
> up. How exactly is someone encouraged to grow up? In my opinion, neither
> by doing everything for them, nor by setting them impossible tasks.
> [Yes, I do have grown-up children].
>
> Whether or not there is a distinction between those who are willing to
> try with a bit of encouragement, and those who can't be bothered to use
> a search engine, there is certainly a perceived difference. There's a
> big gap between asking ' how do I find out how to fix this problem?' and
> 'I'd like step-by-step instructions for fixing this problem?' It's the
> latter kind of request that generally gets the blunt RTFM, though even
> then the relevant man page is usually cited.
>
> If an answer genuinely is obscure, sufficient clues are almost
> invariably offered. Only those who appear to believe they are owed
> whatever help they want get really short shrift. If it were a paid-for
> service, things would be completely different, but volunteers get to say
> no if they want to.
>
> I agree, it *is* a male-female thing, and with much wider application
> than Linux. Further speculation would be well off-topic.
Very well said, Joe.
WT
--
The name is Baud......, James Baud.
_______________________________________________________
Reply to: