Re: Debian Kindergarten List (was: Debian List for Idiot Debian Users - seriously).
On Sat, Feb 05, 2005 at 12:39:25AM -0600, Kent West wrote:
> Mr. Jan Hearthstone wrote:
>
> >>From: "Paul Johnson" <baloo@ursine.ca>
> >>
> >>On Thursday 03 February 2005 10:00 am, Mr. Jan
> >>Hearthstone wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>There should be a Debian for idiots by idiots list;
> >>>
> >>Why do you think such a list would work? Do you
> >>honestly think that there's going to be people with the knowledge
> >>willing to camp out, for free, answering the same questions already
> >>answered
> >>and archived 20 bajillion places?
> >>
> >>For that matter, why are you asking this obvious
> >>question, when it's been answered several times over and archived
> >>everywhere?
> >>
> >>
> >I googled extensively - yes there are many answers
> >out there, yet (as I said before) none of them worked
> >for me ....
> >
>
> I believe you misunderstand what Paul is saying. He's saying two things:
>
> 1) Most newbie questions are already answered in the archives, on
> Google, etc. (Granted, your particular question was not.) Folks with the
> knowledge to answer questions are more likely to stay on this list
> without becoming a part of a newbie list.
>
> 2) Paul's reference to this "obvious question" is not about your
> question concerning your boot floppies, but about having a newbie list.
> This question about a newbie list comes up quite often, and the general
> consensus is that it sounds great at first mention, but that when the
> pros and cons are actually considered, the idea is found wanting. It is
> this information that is "archived everywhere".
>
> Having said that, I will add that Paul runs cold and hot; one post he is
> considerate and long-suffering; the next he is mostly insufferable. But
> he's always smart. If he ever learns the concept of "a gentle answer
> turns away wrath", he's going to be a great representative of the Debian
> community. As it is, he's a knowledgeable and smart and mostly helpful rep.
>
> Now, having discussed Paul, I'll now turn to your question about having
> a Debian List for Idiot Debian Users. Having been on this list for
> several years now, I've seen both pros and cons to this idea, and like
> Paul, now side with the idea that an official such list would not be
> worth the trouble. I don't consider myself a Debian expert, but still, I
> for one would not join such a list, and I expect most of the long-timers
> on this list also would not. The result would be that you'd have the
> blind leading the blind. Friendly blind folks maybe, who can empathize
> with your troubles, but not so much helpful blind folks. Perhaps I'm
> wrong, and such a list really would be a great thing, but I just don't
> see it.
>
> --
> Kent
>
>
I like the kindergarten characterization of what is being proposed. I
think that a newbie/kindergarten list is fundamentally flawed idea. To
have a successful kindergarten, you must have trained adults in
charge. But Debian is a volunteer organization of computer <mostly>
geeks. The training for the adults-in-charge is much more than the
subject matter of Debian/GNU/Linux. Also, the adults must be trained
in the care and handling of children. I see no reason to believe that
the Debian organization will be able to find and train volunteers for
this task. I freely admit that a search of the archives on my name
would reveal some fairly childish post, but I hope I have matured.
And I hope that other newbies will mature when allowed to participate
in adult society. I am for giving others a chance to grow up, as I
hope I have. (And this includes learning how to deal with cranky adults.)
--
Paul E Condon
pecondon@mesanetworks.net
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