-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1
-----Original Message----- From: fedora-list-bounces@redhat.com [mailto:fedora-list-bounces@redhat.com] On Behalf Of Charles Howse Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 7:38 PM To: Fedora Subject: Why questions don't get answered, or "No, I've already RTFM, tell me the answer!"
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'.
I know how you feel. ;-)
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?
Is replying to say "I don't know" any more constructive than ignoring the question? At the least it lets the OP know that the mail was received, but really, that's about it.
For clarity, what I mean is, if I ask a question, and you know the answer, but it has been asked and answered many times, I would prefer to hear: "That question is answered in the list FAQ, which is here <link>." If you know the answer, but ignore the question because it is in the FAQ, then aren't you increasing bandwidth consumption by causing the thread to continue?
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
While I agree with you on the general gist of what you're saying, I think that the people who are behaving negatively on lists are people who are demanding attention. *Most* people answer, if they know. Or point if they can. What I've found, is that at least 2 out of 3 times, when I go to google someone's problem, the answer is usually in the top 10 links found. For people that are particularly active on lists, this can be frustrating.
I agree 100%, with the exception that I would prefer to hear: "I Googled for +"Fedora Core 4" +install" and the answer is..." That helps me learn how to do my own Googling and come away with answers.
This list in particular seems to be relatively well behaved, although, I don't follow it as closely as I used to (switched distros). So I'm a little curious why you're asking these questions now.
Ummmm...well, I just did a lot of research on some list archives, including this one, and there seemed to me to be a lot of negative responses. Now the worst list I've ever subscribed to as far as negative response and RTFM was freebsd-questions. Whew! Better put on your asbestos underwear and list all your research before you post there!