What is a kernel?

[Franklin, Joel]

> When I have a problem I have to figure out I got to the internet or to a
> mailing list nowadays.  Isn't this guy just doing the same thing, using
the
> resources available to get an answer to his question?

I tend to take issue with questions of the nature "What is X? Email your
answer directly to me."

The unwritten subtext is "I refuse to tell you what I do or don't know about
X, or where I've looked and failed to find an answer, because I don't care
if you waste your time telling me what I already know or giving me
information that's too advanced for me to handle. I can't be bothered to
read your silly little list, andI'm probably spamming a pile of similar
lists and groups."