In article <icqj46lnoaqkdr5igvqi9so62i30cac...@4ax.com>, gneun...@comcast.net says... >I don't think it's accurate to say that [some] experts really "scorn" >newbies, but I do agree that newbies are occasionally mistreated. > >One thing newbies have to realize is that on Usenet you are quite >likely to be talking to people who were there at the beginning and, of >necessity, are largely self educated in whatever the subject matter >might be. Many - I'd even say most - are happy to clarify >understanding and help with complicated problems, but there is a >general expectation that newbies have some basic research skills and >that they have tried to solve their problem before asking for help. > >Unfortunately, there is a small percentage of people who think Usenet >and other online forums are for answering homework questions or for >digging out of a jam at work. Getting help depends a lot on how the >question is asked: strident pleas for quick help or demands for an >answer are immediate red flags, but so are questions that begin with >"X is crap, why can't I do ..." and even seemingly polite questions >that are vague or unfocused (possibly indicating little or no thought >behind them) or posts which are directed to a large number of groups >(such as this thread we're in now). > >And, of course, in the language forums, drawing comparisons to >non-subject languages is generally considered rude except when done to >illustrate a relevant discussion point. Introducing irrelevant >comparisons, deliberately proselytizing X in a Y group or doing a lot >of complaining about the subject language is bound to attract disdain. > >As the Internet has grown, the absolute number of people in that >"small percentage" has grown as well. A newbie can simply be unlucky >enough to ask a question at the wrong time. If there has been a >recent rash of problem posts then experts may accidentally respond >negatively to a legitimate question. > >Of course, there are cross-cultural issues too. Many of the technical >groups are English-language. English, even when polite, can seem >harsh and/or abrupt to non-native speakers. > >On the whole, moderated groups are more conducive to helping newbies >because the moderator(s) filter obvious red flag posts. > >And, finally, newbies themselves should realize that experts are >donating time to answer questions and do get frustrated answering the >same questions over and over. They should not be offended by "cold" >responses that direct them to FAQs or that just give links to study >material. Newbies who need hand-holding or warm welcoming responses >filled with detail should go find a tutor. > > >> ... you have the bad "professors" who are freaks >>(probably they have a lot of problems at home, their wives >>screwing all the males on the block, daughters drug addicts etc) >>and want to take their hatred out on you, > >Unquestionably, there are experts who need their dosages adjusted. But >the same can be said for some percentage of other users too. > >OTOH, newbies often aren't in the position to know who is an expert >... obviously, anyone able to correctly answer their question knows >more about that specific issue. That doesn't necessarily qualify the >responder as an "expert". Some people get defensive at the edges of >their comfort zones. > > >Just some thoughts. YMMV. >George
Yes I agree, you expressed the thought better than I did. Then let's not go on with this thread any further and let the newsgroups carry on programming language support and discussions. Thanks -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
