Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-20 Thread John Aldrich

On Fri, 19 May 2000, you wrote:
> Only those that want answers to their questions. 
> It's just too much effort to dig out the message scrambled
> in
> all that HTML, that I don't bother.
> Hitting the delete key is so much easier.
> 
:-) Good come back! :-)
John




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-19 Thread Ron Marriage

Only those that want answers to their questions. 
It's just too much effort to dig out the message scrambled
in
all that HTML, that I don't bother.
Hitting the delete key is so much easier.

Ron


- Original Message -
From: Mahmuth ahthumbha The III <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2000 3:20 PM
Subject: SV: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie


> --
> > Från: John Aldrich <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > Till: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Ämne: Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie
> > Datum:  den 19 maj 2000 20:59
> >
> > Good points! I would add to your "stop screaming" that
> > people who wish help will be MORE likely to receive help
if
> > A) they ask nicely, and
> > B) if they post their request in PLAIN, ASCII TEXT!
> >
> >
> Who cares!
>
>




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-19 Thread John Aldrich

Good points! I would add to your "stop screaming" that
people who wish help will be MORE likely to receive help if
A) they ask nicely, and
B) if they post their request in PLAIN, ASCII TEXT!

Why the latter suggestion? Because more than one "expert"
here has stated that they find it extremely difficult to
read HTML in the mail client of choice: KMail.  Since
Mandrake defaults to KDE as the desktop / window manager of
choice, KMail is the obvious mail client of choice for a
large number of users.

Unfortunately, many of the people who come to this list for
help are posting either from Netscape, Outlook Express or
Eudora Light. All three default to HTML posting. At least
with Outlook Express one doesn't have to wade through all
the clutter of the HTML source code.

Brand me an "elitest" if you wish, but I, for one, feel
that if someone is coming to ME for help (most of the time,
I'll admit, I just lurk here ) they darn well better ask
in plain text.

I've been guilty of sending out "nastynotes" in the past,
but more often than not, I've taken the time to explain WHY
people should post in plain text. Unfortunately some people
on this list (and others) have taken it as a personal
affront that I try and change their posting preferences.
Well, doggone it, THEY'RE the ones asking for help!
Besides, I have been (lately) unfailingly polite and kind
in asking people to stop posting in HTML. If they can't
take a nice request for plain text, I'm guessing they
aren't "Linux People" in the first place.

MOST people I've sent plain-text requests to have been
quite polite about it, either saying they forgot to change
their preferences or that they didn't realize that
Netscape/Eudora/OE defaulted to HTML and quickly changed
their preferences.

I guess what I'm saying is it all boils down to politeness
-- be polite when asking for help, not only in your tone,
but also in your MANNER of posting.

My $0.02.
John




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-19 Thread Pj

Civileme

You've been on this list a very long time. I've seen you post sharp
replies to some authors. I've seen you take a break from this list. I've
read your minutely detailed replies that were one page long. I've even
seen a typo or two, but I've never seen a swear word or derogatory
remarks about Mandrake or just plain bad manners in your posts. 

If you remember when I joined this list the developers monitored it and
were quite active. Now it is rare to see a reply to this list directly
from Mandrake. 

There's are more than a few of us who would like to correct the problems
and put the list back on track. I got a lot of "understanding in my
soul" by being here and being exposed to those Mandrake and Linux
specalists who, btw, are sorely missed. 

Maybe this effort is for nought. Perhaps the developers and old guru's
will never return, but we will not know the answer if we don't make the
effort. 

Mandrake does a great job of giving us a terrific product. We want them
to know that their effort is appreciated by many members of this MUG
list and their collective expertise is needed here too. 

Turning on a filter is an easy way out of trash talk. You breathe Linux;
It gives me nightmares. If I filter mail I might miss a learning
opportunity and I can't afford it. 

Thank you for your comments, patience and cool head, Civileme. 

Pj
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Hi




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-19 Thread Civileme

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> 
> Hello pj
> You have expressed my sentiments as well. Fortunately most email readers can
> filter out noise like this almost automatically once they have been setup.  I
> would not be in favour of any other form of censorship, such as having
> Mandrake Software remove them from the list, even assuming that they were
> willing to do so. Please stay on the list and activate a filter.
> Regards
> Ron
> 
> Pj <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said:
> 
> > Before I found this MUG, I was in a newbie list, where I rightfully
> > belonged. I was beseiged with foul language and temperamental children
> > telling me and others to RTFM. I didn't appreciate the language then and
> > I don't appreciate it now, personally.
> >
> > The reason this MUG was a great resource was because it was inhabited by
> > persons who acted like adults. They didn't need to swear because they
> > were frustrated. They needed answers and got them from their peers who
> > were also on this list.
> >
> > At one time this list was not composed of home users. The people that
> > ran our universities, and medical schools, and governments, and large
> > corporations were very active on this list. The security experts and
> > system analysists were here to help us secure our systems and make our
> > networks function. Those names are missing, as are OUR developers and
> > debuggers, that wrote the little scripts and taught us little tricks to
> > keep us up and running after we shot ourselves in the foot.
> >
> > They are all gone. The only way to achieve this level of help again is
> > to clean up our collective act or build a new MUG. From where I sit, and
> > reading the level of questions submitted tese days there doesn't appear
> > to be much to work with.
> >
> > The question is very basic. Do you want the guru's and developers back
> > on this list to help us or not?
> >
> > If you do clean up the language, lose the attitude, exhibit a modicum of
> > self control, open your ears and develop some patience. Then, just maybe
> > Denis, SteveP, Dave, Zak, Ramone, Chamouol, Axalon, Jean-Michel and the
> > other old heads will come back and rescue us from ourselves.
> >
> > I don't know about any one else on this list, but I need all the help
> > I can get that's why I'm here. I'm not likely to leave and I'm not
> > likely to help a whining, screaming, kid with a foul mouth and bad
> > manners. And I know that I am not... a majority of one.
> >
> > Whether or not we read doc's isn't as important as trying the best we
> > know how according to our level of knowledge. Not all of us have the
> > ability to read the man page, but we all have the ability to try to
> > clean up our own mess. As far as I am concerned if we are smart enough
> > to run a Linux system successfully we are smart enough to be civilized
> > and act like it in public. This list after all is a public forum.
> >
> > Pj
> >
> >
> 
> --

Well, there are messages I never see  Filters are effective
in trashing them unseen.  HTML is one thing I filter, and people
who are rude and demanding after a few of their posts.  I am not
as much an expert as a researcher, and most of my answers involve
MY reading the fine material available, a conscious and time
consuming procedure that rewards me with knowledge and
understanding as well as the satisfaction of having helped
someone.  Usually I will get by the first few rude remarks and
still help, but when I have had enough from any one poster... 
That one vanishes from my sight, and I rarely lift a filter to
seek a changed attitude.

Of late I have been less active on this list.  Some others have
been less active as well.  Not all of us because of the rude
remarks--other duties, travel, and documentation projects have
intervened.  But as long as I have people genuinely seeking help,
I will give what time I can, as an unpaid volunteer, to answer.

Civileme




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-19 Thread Pj

Ron, 

Thanks for you comments. I agree that activating a filter will remove
certain types of mail. Sadly, by doing so ir will defeat the reason I
posted my initial comments: to bring the guru's and developers back to
this list. Exercising self control and showing respect will go along way
toward repairing this MUG, imho.  

Pj 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> 
> Hello pj
> You have expressed my sentiments as well. Fortunately most email readers can
> filter out noise like this almost automatically once they have been setup.  I
> would not be in favour of any other form of censorship, such as having
> Mandrake Software remove them from the list, even assuming that they were
> willing to do so. Please stay on the list and activate a filter.
> Regards
> Ron
>




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-18 Thread rpeake


Hello pj
You have expressed my sentiments as well. Fortunately most email readers can 
filter out noise like this almost automatically once they have been setup.  I 
would not be in favour of any other form of censorship, such as having 
Mandrake Software remove them from the list, even assuming that they were 
willing to do so. Please stay on the list and activate a filter.
Regards
Ron



Pj <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said: 

> Before I found this MUG, I was in a newbie list, where I rightfully
> belonged. I was beseiged with foul language and temperamental children
> telling me and others to RTFM. I didn't appreciate the language then and
> I don't appreciate it now, personally. 
> 
> The reason this MUG was a great resource was because it was inhabited by
> persons who acted like adults. They didn't need to swear because they
> were frustrated. They needed answers and got them from their peers who
> were also on this list. 
> 
> At one time this list was not composed of home users. The people that
> ran our universities, and medical schools, and governments, and large
> corporations were very active on this list. The security experts and
> system analysists were here to help us secure our systems and make our
> networks function. Those names are missing, as are OUR developers and
> debuggers, that wrote the little scripts and taught us little tricks to
> keep us up and running after we shot ourselves in the foot.
> 
> They are all gone. The only way to achieve this level of help again is
> to clean up our collective act or build a new MUG. From where I sit, and
> reading the level of questions submitted tese days there doesn't appear
> to be much to work with. 
> 
> The question is very basic. Do you want the guru's and developers back
> on this list to help us or not? 
> 
> If you do clean up the language, lose the attitude, exhibit a modicum of
> self control, open your ears and develop some patience. Then, just maybe
> Denis, SteveP, Dave, Zak, Ramone, Chamouol, Axalon, Jean-Michel and the
> other old heads will come back and rescue us from ourselves.  
> 
> I don't know about any one else on this list, but I need all the help
> I can get that's why I'm here. I'm not likely to leave and I'm not
> likely to help a whining, screaming, kid with a foul mouth and bad
> manners. And I know that I am not... a majority of one. 
> 
> Whether or not we read doc's isn't as important as trying the best we
> know how according to our level of knowledge. Not all of us have the
> ability to read the man page, but we all have the ability to try to
> clean up our own mess. As far as I am concerned if we are smart enough
> to run a Linux system successfully we are smart enough to be civilized
> and act like it in public. This list after all is a public forum. 
> 
> Pj
> 
> 



-- 








Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-18 Thread Pj

Before I found this MUG, I was in a newbie list, where I rightfully
belonged. I was beseiged with foul language and temperamental children
telling me and others to RTFM. I didn't appreciate the language then and
I don't appreciate it now, personally. 

The reason this MUG was a great resource was because it was inhabited by
persons who acted like adults. They didn't need to swear because they
were frustrated. They needed answers and got them from their peers who
were also on this list. 

At one time this list was not composed of home users. The people that
ran our universities, and medical schools, and governments, and large
corporations were very active on this list. The security experts and
system analysists were here to help us secure our systems and make our
networks function. Those names are missing, as are OUR developers and
debuggers, that wrote the little scripts and taught us little tricks to
keep us up and running after we shot ourselves in the foot.

They are all gone. The only way to achieve this level of help again is
to clean up our collective act or build a new MUG. From where I sit, and
reading the level of questions submitted tese days there doesn't appear
to be much to work with. 

The question is very basic. Do you want the guru's and developers back
on this list to help us or not? 

If you do clean up the language, lose the attitude, exhibit a modicum of
self control, open your ears and develop some patience. Then, just maybe
Denis, SteveP, Dave, Zak, Ramone, Chamouol, Axalon, Jean-Michel and the
other old heads will come back and rescue us from ourselves.  

I don't know about any one else on this list, but I need all the help
I can get that's why I'm here. I'm not likely to leave and I'm not
likely to help a whining, screaming, kid with a foul mouth and bad
manners. And I know that I am not... a majority of one. 

Whether or not we read doc's isn't as important as trying the best we
know how according to our level of knowledge. Not all of us have the
ability to read the man page, but we all have the ability to try to
clean up our own mess. As far as I am concerned if we are smart enough
to run a Linux system successfully we are smart enough to be civilized
and act like it in public. This list after all is a public forum. 

Pj




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-18 Thread Burkhard Zombronner

Just a few words: I do agree totally and its nice to hear someone not
shouting and screaming; all the guys inside this list are doing a great
job!!!
- Original Message -
From: "Pj" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2000 12:27 AM
Subject: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie


> Hello List,
>
> My comments are not intended to start a thread or a flame. Please
> contact me privately if you feel compelled to comment.
>
> I am a newbie, a fact I do not hide. I joined this group several months
> ago to learn- when I loaded my very first mdk distro and discovered how
> deep the water is. You have taught me well and for that I am grateful
> and I thank you for your time and patience.
>
> During these months I've watched an ugly metamorphisis take plce. The
> list then was monitored by Mandrake developers and programers. They
> generously took time to respond. The list then was filled with replies
> from some of the brightest minds in the Linux communtity. Combined,
> these folks probably had a million years of *NIX experience they were
> willing to share just for asking. So what happened?
>
> From my vantage point I've seen an erosion not only in the type of
> question but also the attitude. This list was composed of well-mannered
> men and women..what my father would call ladies and gentlemen.
>
> The list slowly changed from a polite demeanor to one of demanding,
> shouting, cursing and temper tantrums. Our Mandrake developers have been
> cussed, discussed and generally trashed because some whiny baby doesn't
> know how to use a new operating system. Thus the fault changed from the
> operator to the program creators. [Speaking for myself I can only say
> that every error message I've seen in Venus, my distro, has been of my
> own making becasue I don't understand the basics yet.]
>
> This list is for Mandrake Experts. It is not a baby-sitting service. No
> one on this list is obligated to answer any question. No one is
> obligated to answer instantly. Your demands, my demands and future
> demands are just that: demands. The gentle members of this list
> frequently ignore these messages as they should.
>
> Lately, I've read a lot of messages with attitude written all over the
> subjet line: "How many times do I have to...?"; "Mandrake Sucks"; "I've
> written x times why ...?". Regardless of content the message is the
> same: I am the most important person on this list and I demand an answer
> right now! Guess what? You aren't the most important person on this
> list. Everyone has equal standing. If you don't have a life, get one.
>
> As far as I have been able to determine there is no perfect operating
> system. Not every piece of hardware made will work on every system. Not
> every piece of software written will work on every system. There are too
> many machine configurations to consider. The advantage of Linux,
> particularly the Mandrake distro, over Winblows is twofold: MUG and
> modules. If *it* doen't work to your satisfaction you can fix *it*
> yourself without waiting months for a patch that fixes your whole
> system. Many times in the past a Mandrake developer would posted a small
> script to fix a particularly thorny problem for one person. I don't see
> this anymore.
>
> To the people who need this list the most, I have some advice: Be
> polite. Please and thank you go a long way toward getting a quick
> response. Be patient. We live in every time zone in the world, please
> take this into consideration as well as the fact that we all have
> private lives. STOP SCREAMING!! It's annoying and a guaranteed way to
> not receive a reply. Stop making demands; it's rude. Admit you don't
> know how to do something and be grateful when you get the answer. We all
> have frustrating issues, don't let it spill into this list.
>
> This MUG is a great group of guys and gals, please help keep it that
> way.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Pj
>
>




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-18 Thread Dana J. Laude

Just as an example, yesterday I went to Best Buy and purchased
SuSE 6.4.  I had Mandrake 6.1 running fine, with a 2940 Adaptec
controller..., attached to that via the internal cable is a
NEC Scsi CD-ROM drive and a Ricoh RW7060S. External cable goes
to my Zip drive..., everything is cool.  I zap my Mandrake
partitions and install SuSE, and it fails.  (timeout on the
Ricoh drive)  By this time I'm starting to get pissed, but
I go watch TV and figured I'll tackle the problem after work
the next day.  (Day 2)  I boot Win98, and insert a cd into
the Ricoh, same problem..., disconnect that drive, reboot
and everything is working.  (talk about ODD timing for a
failure!)  In a nutshell, Murphy's law does rule. ;)

One thing that might be learned from the above is that:

1: I didn't send a nasty email to SuSE.
2: I didn't send a nasty email to Mandrake
3: I mellowed out and evaluated things the next day.
4: See #3. ;)

As a background, I've been using Linux since '92, (on and
off) and prior to that, Esix, Xenix, DOS and forcefully
forced into Windows version, (insert version here) for my
clients.  I hated GUI's forever, and can still do
most tasks faster via a prompt vs a GUI. (although I
do tend to like Windowmaker)

As far as a RTFM goes, one "should" read the FAQ's and
do a bit of research before asking something.  Or, if
you have a few extra dollars, go to Barnes and Noble
and pick up some good books from O'Reilly. JMHO.

Regards,

Dana

Charles Curley wrote:
> 
> On Thu, May 18, 2000 at 06:49:19PM -0400, Bruce E. Harris wrote:
> -> Excellent points PJ. Unfortinatly I see this poor conduct on just about every
> -> mailing list I am on now or ever have been on.
> ->
> -> Might I add, if someone feels their question was not answered it could be no
> -> one has the answer just yet for you. Sometimes this takes times, and most if
> -> not everyone has other things in life keeping them busy. I for one have 3 mo
> -> old triplet boys along with three teen daughters...I for one am quite busy.
> 
> Exactly so.
> 
> Or, no-one has the answer at all. Most of us do not respond to messages
> with "Sorry, I don't know", and a good thing, too. :-)
> 
> If you don't get a response in three or four days, rephrase it, let us
> know what you have done about it in the interim, and give us more details.
> 
> --
> 
> -- C^2
> 
> No windows were crashed in the making of this email.
> 
> Looking for fine software and/or web pages?
> http://w3.trib.com/~ccurley




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-18 Thread Steve Olson

I heartily agree with PJ's assesment of the direction of this list.

I do believe that with a little common courtesy you will eventually get answers 
to your questions.

But, try to help yourself first:

  Look in the List Archives, normally your question may have been answered 
many times before.  
  Look on some of the larger help sites like linuxnewbie.org, freshmeat.net, 
linuxtopia.com, and the Linux Webring (http://www.webring.org/cgi-
bin/webring?ring=linux;list)... there's a ton of them.
  Go to a good Websearch Engine Like Google.com and Search for the Main 
portion of your problem.  In the case of one of my recent posts, I went to 
GOOGLE.COM, and Looked for "Linux PPP Setup". You'd be amazed how 
much information you can dredge up.

  This last suggestion is a good one for problem-solving whether Linux related 
or not.

  When you've exhausted other resources and not found a solution, ask a 
question.  Be as specific about the problem as you can.  And don't demand an 
answer, ask for help in solving  YOUR problems.  Keep in mind that any help 
you receive is through the generosity of the person attempting to help you, and 
not because you have an inalienable right to an immeadiate answer.  Also keep 
in mind that many of the people on this list are computer professionals, and 
they are taking time out of their busy day to read your message and help point 
you in the right direction.

And lastly, be generous with thank-yous for all attempts to help. Appreciation 
goes a long way toward keeping people wanting to help others on this list.

  This list is a very powerful tool, but like any tool may not be beneficial unless 
used properly.

And to all those who have before and may in the future help me on this list, 
Thanks one and all!

   __ Steve Olson




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-18 Thread Fran Parker

You tell 'em!

To all you 'experts' out there:
Thank you all so much for being there.

You won't find ingratitude here.

Bambi



John Connell wrote:

> You *GO* girl! RIght on!
> John
>
> Subject: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie
>
> > Hello List,
> >
> > My comments are not intended to start a thread or a flame. Please
> > contact me privately if you feel compelled to comment.
> >
> > I am a newbie, a fact I do not hide. I joined this group several months
> > ago to learn- when I loaded my very first mdk distro and discovered how
> > deep the water is. You have taught me well and for that I am grateful
> > and I thank you for your time and patience.
> >
> > During these months I've watched an ugly metamorphisis take plce. The
> > list then was monitored by Mandrake developers and programers. They
> > generously took time to respond. The list then was filled with replies
> > from some of the brightest minds in the Linux communtity. Combined,
> > these folks probably had a million years of *NIX experience they were
> > willing to share just for asking. So what happened?
> >
> > >From my vantage point I've seen an erosion not only in the type of
> > question but also the attitude. This list was composed of well-mannered
> > men and women..what my father would call ladies and gentlemen.
> >
> > The list slowly changed from a polite demeanor to one of demanding,
> > shouting, cursing and temper tantrums. Our Mandrake developers have been
> > cussed, discussed and generally trashed because some whiny baby doesn't
> > know how to use a new operating system. Thus the fault changed from the
> > operator to the program creators. [Speaking for myself I can only say
> > that every error message I've seen in Venus, my distro, has been of my
> > own making becasue I don't understand the basics yet.]
> >
> > This list is for Mandrake Experts. It is not a baby-sitting service. No
> > one on this list is obligated to answer any question. No one is
> > obligated to answer instantly. Your demands, my demands and future
> > demands are just that: demands. The gentle members of this list
> > frequently ignore these messages as they should.
> >
> > Lately, I've read a lot of messages with attitude written all over the
> > subjet line: "How many times do I have to...?"; "Mandrake Sucks"; "I've
> > written x times why ...?". Regardless of content the message is the
> > same: I am the most important person on this list and I demand an answer
> > right now! Guess what? You aren't the most important person on this
> > list. Everyone has equal standing. If you don't have a life, get one.
> >
> > As far as I have been able to determine there is no perfect operating
> > system. Not every piece of hardware made will work on every system. Not
> > every piece of software written will work on every system. There are too
> > many machine configurations to consider. The advantage of Linux,
> > particularly the Mandrake distro, over Winblows is twofold: MUG and
> > modules. If *it* doen't work to your satisfaction you can fix *it*
> > yourself without waiting months for a patch that fixes your whole
> > system. Many times in the past a Mandrake developer would posted a small
> > script to fix a particularly thorny problem for one person. I don't see
> > this anymore.
> >
> > To the people who need this list the most, I have some advice: Be
> > polite. Please and thank you go a long way toward getting a quick
> > response. Be patient. We live in every time zone in the world, please
> > take this into consideration as well as the fact that we all have
> > private lives. STOP SCREAMING!! It's annoying and a guaranteed way to
> > not receive a reply. Stop making demands; it's rude. Admit you don't
> > know how to do something and be grateful when you get the answer. We all
> > have frustrating issues, don't let it spill into this list.
> >
> > This MUG is a great group of guys and gals, please help keep it that
> > way.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Pj
> >
> >




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-18 Thread Charles Curley

On Thu, May 18, 2000 at 06:49:19PM -0400, Bruce E. Harris wrote:
-> Excellent points PJ. Unfortinatly I see this poor conduct on just about every
-> mailing list I am on now or ever have been on.
-> 
-> Might I add, if someone feels their question was not answered it could be no
-> one has the answer just yet for you. Sometimes this takes times, and most if
-> not everyone has other things in life keeping them busy. I for one have 3 mo
-> old triplet boys along with three teen daughters...I for one am quite busy.

Exactly so.

Or, no-one has the answer at all. Most of us do not respond to messages
with "Sorry, I don't know", and a good thing, too. :-)

If you don't get a response in three or four days, rephrase it, let us
know what you have done about it in the interim, and give us more details.

-- 

-- C^2

No windows were crashed in the making of this email.

Looking for fine software and/or web pages?
http://w3.trib.com/~ccurley




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-18 Thread Charles Curley

On Thu, May 18, 2000 at 05:27:02PM -0500, Pj wrote:
-> Hello List, 
-> 
-> My comments are not intended to start a thread or a flame. Please
-> contact me privately if you feel compelled to comment. 
-> 
-> I am a newbie, a fact I do not hide. I joined this group several months
-> ago to learn- when I loaded my very first mdk distro and discovered how
-> deep the water is. You have taught me well and for that I am grateful
-> and I thank you for your time and patience. 

Bravo, well said and well done! Stand up and give the person a rip
snorting huzzah!

I would add one thing to your list of suggestions for those seeking
information. Try to show that you have made some effort yourself before
making your inquiry.



-- 

-- C^2

No windows were crashed in the making of this email.

Looking for fine software and/or web pages?
http://w3.trib.com/~ccurley




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-18 Thread Bruce E. Harris

Excellent points PJ. Unfortinatly I see this poor conduct on just about every
mailing list I am on now or ever have been on.

Might I add, if someone feels their question was not answered it could be no
one has the answer just yet for you. Sometimes this takes times, and most if
not everyone has other things in life keeping them busy. I for one have 3 mo
old triplet boys along with three teen daughters...I for one am quite busy.

-- 
Best Regards, Bruce

Father to Bruce, Maverick & Aleister 1 Feb 2000
Akina, age 14, Misa, age 12, Miyuki age 10
My website: http://harrisherd.ahv.cx




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-18 Thread John Connell

You *GO* girl! RIght on!
John


Subject: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie


> Hello List, 
> 
> My comments are not intended to start a thread or a flame. Please
> contact me privately if you feel compelled to comment. 
> 
> I am a newbie, a fact I do not hide. I joined this group several months
> ago to learn- when I loaded my very first mdk distro and discovered how
> deep the water is. You have taught me well and for that I am grateful
> and I thank you for your time and patience. 
> 
> During these months I've watched an ugly metamorphisis take plce. The
> list then was monitored by Mandrake developers and programers. They
> generously took time to respond. The list then was filled with replies
> from some of the brightest minds in the Linux communtity. Combined,
> these folks probably had a million years of *NIX experience they were
> willing to share just for asking. So what happened? 
> 
> >From my vantage point I've seen an erosion not only in the type of
> question but also the attitude. This list was composed of well-mannered
> men and women..what my father would call ladies and gentlemen. 
> 
> The list slowly changed from a polite demeanor to one of demanding,
> shouting, cursing and temper tantrums. Our Mandrake developers have been
> cussed, discussed and generally trashed because some whiny baby doesn't
> know how to use a new operating system. Thus the fault changed from the
> operator to the program creators. [Speaking for myself I can only say
> that every error message I've seen in Venus, my distro, has been of my
> own making becasue I don't understand the basics yet.] 
> 
> This list is for Mandrake Experts. It is not a baby-sitting service. No
> one on this list is obligated to answer any question. No one is
> obligated to answer instantly. Your demands, my demands and future
> demands are just that: demands. The gentle members of this list
> frequently ignore these messages as they should. 
> 
> Lately, I've read a lot of messages with attitude written all over the
> subjet line: "How many times do I have to...?"; "Mandrake Sucks"; "I've
> written x times why ...?". Regardless of content the message is the
> same: I am the most important person on this list and I demand an answer
> right now! Guess what? You aren't the most important person on this
> list. Everyone has equal standing. If you don't have a life, get one. 
> 
> As far as I have been able to determine there is no perfect operating
> system. Not every piece of hardware made will work on every system. Not
> every piece of software written will work on every system. There are too
> many machine configurations to consider. The advantage of Linux,
> particularly the Mandrake distro, over Winblows is twofold: MUG and
> modules. If *it* doen't work to your satisfaction you can fix *it*
> yourself without waiting months for a patch that fixes your whole
> system. Many times in the past a Mandrake developer would posted a small
> script to fix a particularly thorny problem for one person. I don't see
> this anymore.  
> 
> To the people who need this list the most, I have some advice: Be
> polite. Please and thank you go a long way toward getting a quick
> response. Be patient. We live in every time zone in the world, please
> take this into consideration as well as the fact that we all have
> private lives. STOP SCREAMING!! It's annoying and a guaranteed way to
> not receive a reply. Stop making demands; it's rude. Admit you don't
> know how to do something and be grateful when you get the answer. We all
> have frustrating issues, don't let it spill into this list. 
> 
> This MUG is a great group of guys and gals, please help keep it that
> way. 
> 
> Thanks, 
> 
> Pj
> 
> 




Re: [expert] OT: Linux Newbie

2000-05-18 Thread George Czerw

** Reply to message from Pj <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on Thu, 18 May 2000
17:27:02 -0500

PJ, 

Well stated!  Bravo and thank-you.

George