Re: RTFM, Newbies etc
- From: "Ryan" <ryan_gaffuri@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <niall.litchfield@xxxxxxxxx>, "oracle-l" <oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 15:36:37 -0400
When you do something for a while, it becomes easy to find information in the
documentation. I don't see a problem with people asking simple questions. If
you don't want to answer them, then don't. If you want to help, post a link to
where to find the answers. If you look on asktom, tom posts a link to
documented information. He gets alot of newbie questions.
The sql tuning questions get old, however, each person asking them is a newbie.
How are they going to know what to do? They probably have a manager giving them
a hard time to solve the problem. There is an author I used to like to read. I
went on a forum one time and asked when the next book was coming out. There was
a debate with over 100 posts trying to decide how big of an idiot I was for
asking that question. I never went back to the forum.
How hard is it to sort the list by subject line in your mailbox? Just look at
questions you are interested in.
----- Original Message -----
From: Niall Litchfield
To: oracle-l
Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 3:31 PM
Subject: RTFM, Newbies etc
I do feel a little sad watching the whole RTFM/newbie thing. I guess its just
something that lists go through from time to time. Some times they recover,
other times they don't. A while back I did post some thoughts on dealing with
apparent newbie questions (
http://www.niall.litchfield.dial.pipex.com/2005/09/oldie-hints-and-tips.html ).
I won't repeat them here. I guess my advice really boils down to treating
people with respect. RTFM doesn't do that - though variations of it (like which
manual, or a link to the relevant docs) can. RTFM says "you're wasting my time
and I think you are stupid". I wouldn't say that to anyone in one-to-one
conversation, I don't see why it is acceptable in email. (unless you are 14,
male and on a video games forum obviously)
Splitting the list into two is I think also wrong, Lists are about sharing
information, not classifying people as experts or newbies. Don't wish to
respond to a waste of time then don't. Just please don't respond to them in
order to tell them you're not talking to them.
--
Niall Litchfield
Oracle DBA
http://www.niall.litchfield.dial.pipex.com
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