> On Wed, 2005-12-28 at 21:37 -0600, Charles Howse wrote: >> I'd like to start a calm, respectful, reasonable discussion of the reasons >> that we tell people to RTFM, or reasons that people don't get their >> questions answered on mailing lists and usenet groups. >> >> I'm not complaining about anything or anybody, just wanting to start some >> discussion which might lead to more answers and less 'noise'. >> >> No one has been disrespectful to me, don't get the wrong idea. >> >> I personally am a former Microsoft Certified Professional in NT Server 4.0, >> have used operating systems including, PC DOS, MS DOS, OS/2 Warp, all >> flavors of Windows through XP Pro (except ME, which sucked sooo bad), Linux, >> FreeBSD, and currently, Mac OS X Tiger. >> >> I've administered networks consisting of hundreds of workstations and dozens >> of servers, installed lans and wans from scratch, taught Windows operating >> systems, software and networking. >> >> I feel that might just barely qualify me as knowing a little about >> computers, and I say that seriously...'a little'. >> >> There are a lot of things I don't know, and when I run out of research >> options, or get frustrated when all the troubleshooting solutions don't >> work, I'm heading for usenet or a mailing list, because time after time, >> that has been the resource that provided the solution. A wise man once told >> me, "Someone out there has solved that problem, you just have to find them." >> >> I don't really know where to start, so here are some random thoughts... >> >> Maybe I got told to RTFM because I missed something in it? Well, could you >> just politely point me to the section I missed, please? Or give me a link >> to a howto or some html page where it is explained? >> >> Maybe the question has been answered in the FAQ for the list? Just point me >> to it, you don't have to say anything else. >> >> I've seen lots of posts to this list and others with no subject or a subject >> that has nothing to do with the question, but the question was answered >> respectfully. So, when I post with a good subject, one that will show up in >> a Google search, help me out. >> >> Many lists and groups regularly autopost the guidelines for posting, FAQ, >> and relevant howto pages, point me to those when necessary. >> >> Someone used the phrase 'spoon feed' recently. I don't remember who, nor is >> it important, but what's wrong with a spoon full of sugar now and then? >> And why would you ignore a reasonable question unless you don't know the >> answer? >> >> I think the members of this list are mostly doing things the way I would >> like to see them done, but I also think we could all do better, eh? >> >> I don't mean to step on any toes, just want to start some discussion. >> Does anyone else have any thoughts on why questions don't get the respectful >> treatment they deserve? > ---- > 1 - this is a voluntary list and thus responders offer their time > without compensation. No answers are to be expected at all. Then what is the purpose of the list? The title of the subscribe page says, "For users of Fedora Core releases." It doesn't say not to expect any answers. > > 2 - if you can concisely describe the problem, you are more likely to > get an answer. You are verbose which will always diminish the likelihood > of an answer. I can't think of a concise way to reply to that. ;-) Perhaps I am too wordy...but...isn't it better to list everything I've tried that didn't work, rather than just say, "Why isn't <this> working?" > > 3 - A few replies that state roughly, RTFM reflect the opinion of the > responder...it may or may not be fair, they are what they are. I guess that's fair. > > 4 - this is a high traffic list and sometimes messages are lost in the > deluge Fair again. > > 5 - there is a general type of guideline for open source questions... > http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html > > It's harsh but pretty much on target I've read that...a good while ago. Didn't memorize it, but have bookmarked it. > > Craig
