On 12/28/05, Charles Howse <
chowse@xxxxxxxxxxx> 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?
--
Thanks,
Charles
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