Les wrote:
So, what do you do when you have a student that will not read the book, will not do the homework assignments, and argues that he know better then the teacher? That when you try to correct his mistakes, he calls you names?Also if Karl doesn't get it, there will be other much more timid folk who also don't get it. When the answer that Karl understands is added to the archives, more people benefit than Karl. I know this from years of teaching people complex topics in Test Engineering. I could tell you some good stories about some classes, but those people were also serious about learning. Better to have helped them than to upset them or tease them. In turn they helped their friends and their company. They become better thought of, the company's profit increases, and everyone is awinner. Not hard, just hard to keep your composure sometimes.
I have seen many people helped on the list that didn't understand. The difference is that when they do not understand something, they tell you what they don't understand, and get it explained to them in simpler terms, and/or get pointers to where they can find the information to help them understand.
There are times when step by step instructions are the way to handle things, but more often, it is better to help them find the information they need, or accompany the instructions with explanations of what the instructions do. Help them learn - don't do the work for them!
I have to question weather Fedora is the right distribution for someone that needs step by step instructions, instead of being able to read the instructions on a web page when it is pointed out to them. I know it is not the distribution I would recommend to someone for their first Linux distribution. It is not for someone that can not do their own research, or understand the technical language. You should also have at least some problem solving skill. If you need someone to take you by the hand, and walk you through things, you are in the wrong place. Using Fedora requires effort on the part of the user to understand things.
Mikkel -- Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with Ketchup!
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