From: turkstra@cs.hope.edu (Screwtape) Subject: Re: RFD: comp.os.linux.newbie and comp.os.linu Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1993 20:39:39 GMT
In article 729106661@nova, ellis@nova.gmi.edu (Stew Ellis) writes:
> Hey boys and girls, why don't we make all the linux groups moderated, but
> just point them at a machine that will filter out all articles that ask any
> questions about the vile Diamond video cards before passing the articles on
> otherwise unmolested, thus requiring no human intervention. With a little
> bit more effort we might be able to develop regular expressions for all the
> other newbie questions and throw them on the floor. Another possibility
> would be to set up some sort of automaton that will reply to the articles
> that people post with soothing advice that makes absolutely no sense and see
> how long it takes the newbies to catch on. We could also then gateway the
> articles to a new group named alt.humor.os.linux.snipe-hunt.
>
> (How may people know what a snipe hunt is ? :) )
>
> --
> ___________________
> R.Stewart(Stew) Ellis, Assoc.Prof., (Off)313-762-9765 / _____ ______
> Humanities & Social Science, GMI Eng.& Mgmt. Inst. / / / / / /
> Flint, MI 48504 ellis@nova.gmi.edu /________/ / / / /
I'm sorry, but I have to post a followup to this article.
Trampling on new people simply because theyt are a bit ignorant of
procedures is wrong. Granted, newbie questions grate on the nerves of
everyone of the advanced users, but `cmon - people don't post these questions
just to annoy you, Stew. They ask because of 2 reasons - 1)They are excited
to try out this great new os. 2) They don't know much about FAQ's because
they don't have lots of experience with this stuff. You're correct, they
should know nettiquette, but they don't, and your bitching isn't going to
solve that problem.
And I have to say this, too. I've never seen a forum where people get
chastized wrongly more than here. Ask a question that was answered a
couple of weeks ago, and instead of some e-mail telling you to look for
the answers at xyz, you get raked over the coals...
I know it's hard to believe, but you were once a newbie yourself, Stew.
Everyone was. The fact that so many people are trying out linux means
that it's pretty damn good. I hate to think how many people are turned
off to Linux because they get flamed for a question. The irony is that
every person who flamed them could've answered the Q in less time than
it too to make fun of them.
Those *** README BEFORE POSTING *** articles help out, lots. IMHO, that's
they way to deal with this, not wasting bandwidth by flaming people.