What is a newbie? (Was Re: Assistance for newbies?)

[Rodolfo J. Paiz]

At 03:06 PM 7/7/2004, Geoffrey Leach wrote:
>My question to the list is this: When is a newbie no longer a newbie?

Hmm. Food for thought here... a newbie is no longer a newbie when:

         1. He/she understands that Linux is in some ways far better than 
Windows and in some ways nowhere near Windows and has chosen to accept that 
(while working to improve it, of course). He/she has a clue as to why those 
differences exist.

         2. He (the "she" is assumed) can solve some of his own problems by 
reference to /usr/share/doc, Google, LDP, MARC archives, etc.

         3. He has learned how to seek help effectively on mailing lists, 
fora, or IRC when self-help fails to provide results. This is probably 
equal parts netiquette, smart questions, and common sense plus common courtesy.

         4. He has managed to successfully accomplish some of his core 
tasks using Linux. That is, Linux is now an actually useful tool to him, 
not just a neat curiosity item.

How's that for a starter list?


-- 
Rodolfo J. Paiz
rpaiz at simpaticus.com
http://www.simpaticus.com