On Tue, 14 Mar 2000, Rial Juan wrote:
> Just 2 things:
>
> a) The only point I'm trying to get accross is to try and help yourself before
> asking others to solve your problems for you. That means: read the
> manual. It's written on purpose, you know?
>
> b) Read the original post on which mine was a reply. If he calls us dumb because
> we didn't answer his questions, is it then so bad when I say he makes a
> pretty stupid remark by saying noone wants to help?
>
> For some reason whenever I open my mouth to correct someone, everybody starts
> flaming me. What the heck is wrong with telling people to try and solve their
> own problems before they ask for help? What the heck is wrong with stating that
> administrating linux is _NOT_ for people with no technical background
> whatsoever?
>
> But then again, for some reason my opinion is not the most popular in
> teletubbie-land, so I get all the flames and insults. When I help somebody out
> on the list or in private, nobody seems to notice, but when I tell someone to
> read the manual before asking for help, or to use to-the-point subject lines
> instead of "HELP", or to stop flooding the list with complete offtopic BS, I'm
> the great nazi-enemy. Well, good. I'll be your nazi-enemy for you to step on.
> Hope it makes you all feel so much wiser and tougher.
>
>
Sir, the issue is one of tact. One thing that it took me many years to learn
is that, no matter how correct I might be, no one will "hear" me while I am
on a rage. An insult does not teach or instruct, it not only turns off
your intended audience, it turns off potential allies. A useful technique might be
to imagine yourself in the position of your intended audience, and read your
e-mail as if you were the recipient. There are effective and ineffective ways
to tell someone about the use of manuals or the use of a subject line. May I
suggest that the negative response you've received from others on the list
could be used as an indicator that your effectiveness could be improved.
--
Tony Alfrey
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"I'd rather be sailing"
