I have followed this discussion with great interest. It's been really lively! :-)
I hardly consider myself to have achieved 'power user' status. I started with Slackware Linux in late 1998. At this time I never touch Windows and do not miss it. My initial reaction to what was -- I do not argue -- an avalanche of things-to-learn often *did* swing over to the "totally overwhelmed and frustrated" side of things; *however,* I did and still do feel that the *challenge* of overcoming the problems to the best of my abilities has been the most exciting and profitable learning experience I have ever enjoyed. I say this happily granting that it may not be for everyone. It especially may not be "right" if what you are doing is a Something that has to get done tomorrow. On the other hand, if what you're looking for is a new way to see and to use the box at your feet (or by your side, or ...) there is no better way to go that I know of ... it is truly transforming. This is not an apology for allusive, obfuscatory or even "bad" writing in docs. I've seen my share of that. But the soul of the experience (if I can use that crappy tattered word) is experiment: of trying things out and seeing what they do. I've not been nearly brave or smart enough, but my experience with various Linux-es, and especially Debian, has made me a much more effective do-er. Glenn Becker Online Producer, Community SCIFI.COM At 5:00pm on Wed, 11 Apr 2001, Kevin Stokes wrote: > >> imagine how much hair-pulling you'll save the next poor soul if > > you document what you learned... hmm?< > > > > Ahh, but I'm not a Linux or Free-Software devotee. > > This is where you lose the sympathy of a lot of people. You've identified > a problem and you want other people to spend their time and energy on it > but you're not willing to spend any yourself. Will suggested an eminently > sensible solution, you said you couldn't be bothered.< > > There are people who care deeply about Linux and Free Software. I am not > one of them. I wish Linux the best, but I'm not ready to invest hours of my > time writing doc. > > You may think of me a selfish bastard, because I want to use Linux, but I > don't want to help build it. My viewpoint is different. I thought the > Free Software people didn't want payment, but now I'm supposed to have a > guilt trip if I don't write doc? > > Or perhaps it is because I have a suggestion, that makes me a selfish > bastard? I'm hardly suggesting newbie doc because I expect somebody to > write it and give to me. By the time anybody had a decent Linux help system > done, I would either be enough of an expert to not need it, or have dumped > Linux a long time ago. > > As I said, I merely installed Linux on a resurrected computer that had > been retired as a lark. I'm not a devotee. However, it really struck me > that a crucial ingredient to Linux's success is missing. What I'm trying > to do is be helpful. Kind of like saying, 'Hey, pal, I don't know if you > noticed or not, but your boots are the wrong feet.' > > THe response might be. 'Shut up, you loser. I can wear my boots on my > hands if I want to.', or the response might be, 'So that's why my boots > haven't been that successful. They hurt my feet like crazy!'. In either > case, I wouldn't help the man take of his boots and put them on the right > way, and most men wouldn't want my help. > > Linux is painful for newbies, and there is no good reason for it. And > this hurts the acceptance of Linux. Anyway, I will now shut up about it. > Thanks again for all the time and energy you have spent helping me, and I > hope I have not earned a reputation as a pariah who is stupid, lazy and > selfish, since I will no doubt need more help... > > > Kevin Stokes > > > > > -- > To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >
