Hello All.
I completely agree with Lloyd. Consider also that for people whose
native language is not English, such things like RTFM, ASAP, ASFASO
could be as difficult to understand as the problem in installing libraries
or whatever!
If we want Linux to have any chance we have to make it as popular as
possible, i.e. everybody has to be able to get an answer at her/his own
level.
Finally, let me point out that we are spending a lot of time in this
discussion about "politically correct" answers. Isn't it more efficient
to give a clear answer (in the sense given above) to newcomer if you like
to do that and to reserve guru's answer to guru's questions?
Best wishes to all of you!
Silvio
On Tue, 17 Aug 1999, Sumpter, Lloyd wrote:
>
> I disagree.
>
> A Newbe may not even know what "RTFM" stand for. And if he does, does he
> know where to find the "FM"?
>
> Not only that, I've been using Linux since version 0.97, and there's still
> often docs that I read and say "What the %$#@$ did I just read?" In other
> words, reading the docs doesn't always solve the problem.
>
> In fact, I think it's safe to say that if someone posts a problem:
> 1. He doesn't know where to look for documentation, and/or
> 2. He's read it, but it didn't solve his problem.
>
> So if the solution to the problem is *clearly* in the manual, the response
> should be to point out WHERE to look to find the answer.
>
> > ----------
> > From: John C Cusick[SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> > Sent: Monday, August 16, 1999 2:03 PM
> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED];
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Subject: Re: INSTALLING
> >
> > Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day
> >
> > Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime
> >
> >
> > RTFM is a good answer, particularly since if a guy or girl
> > never heard of tar, they probably never heard of man either.
> >
> > God also helps those who at least try and help themselves before
> > they ask *simple* questions.
> >
> > Read the manual is not rude, just succint.
> >
> > I've noticed much more intelligent questions and quicker and
> > better answers to the question
> > "I've read the man pages and docs and still have a few questions
> > about..."
> >
> > After all, that's how the rest of us started and we're all doing fine
> > right?
> >
> >
> > JC
> > A linux user for three years, and still a doc and man page reader
> > before I ask
> >
> > PS. Don't apoligize for me
> >
> > On Mon, 16 Aug 1999 08:38:07 -0700 "Merenda, Frank"
> > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> > >
> > >I agree 100%. RTFM is *NOT* an acceptable response to someone sending
> > >a
> > >email to a mailinglist asking for help. Federico, on behalf of the
> > >Linux
> > >community, I apologize.
> > >
> > >
> > >Thanks,
> > >Frank Merenda | Applications Developer - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > ><mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > >ProBusiness http://www.probusiness.com <http://www.probusiness.com>
> > > (Formerly Conduit Software)
> > >
> > >"Some people won't dance if they don't know who's singing. Why ask
> > >ahead? It's your hips that are swinging." -Propellerheads
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >> -----Original Message-----
> > >> From: Vincenzo Jon - IL [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> > >> Sent: Monday, August 16, 1999 11:21 AM
> > >> To: 'Keith Duthie'; Federico Zurro
> > >> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > >> Subject: RE: INSTALLING
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Dude, Lighten up!
> > >>
> > >> We were all pretty clueless at one time, so don't you think
> > >> you could have
> > >> made a more friendly response to this post?
> > >>
> > >> Maybe something a touch more helpful like ' go to www.linux.org' ?
> > >>
> > >> Jeez, you're gonna ruin it for everybody! What if this was some
> > >idiot
> > >> reporter doing some stupid expose' on how the linux
> > >> community isn't really
> > >> as helpful and 'inclusive' as we claim to be?
> > >>
> > >> Just my $0.02
> > >>
> > >> JV
> > >>
> > >> > -----Original Message-----
> > >> > From: Keith Duthie [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> > >> > Sent: Monday, August 16, 1999 10:13 AM
> > >> > To: Federico Zurro
> > >> > Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > >> > Subject: Re: INSTALLING
> > >> >
> > >> > On Mon, 16 Aug 1999, Federico Zurro wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> > > I'm really new with Linux so Can you please help me ????.
> > >> > RTFM.
> > >> >
> > >> > > How do I install the .rpm files ?.
> > >> > man rpm
> > >> >
> > >> > > How do I install the .tgz files ?.
> > >> > man tar
> > >> > This one also applies to tar.gz files.
> > >> > --
> > >> > Understanding is a three edged sword. Do you *want* to get
> > >> the point?
> > >> > http://www.albatross.co.nz/~psycho/ O-
> > >>
> >
> > ___________________________________________________________________
> > Get the Internet just the way you want it.
> > Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month!
> > Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.
> >
>
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* Silvio Cherubini | E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *
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* UNIVERSITE` CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN | Phone: ++32-10-473207 *
* Institut de physique nucleaire, | *
* 2 Chemin du Cyclotron, | Fax: ++32-10-452183 *
* 1348 Louvain la Neuve, Belgium | *
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