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How dumb can GNU/Linux users be?
freesoftwaremagazine.com — New users can seem pretty dumb. But... what to do? An interesting overview on how to deal with newbies, and help spread Linux and open source. From the article: "Go forth and multiply" !!!
chieffy- 40 diggs
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- gronne, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3To summarize:
Everyone has to start somewhere and someone had to teach you so get off your high horse.- latova, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1This counts for a very small portion of the linux community actually does this, but I think what annoys linux vertans is that they get asked questions like "help me move files" when they could be solving peoples actual larger problems.
Learning or not, google is your best friend in almost every case. Regardless of this, people are still lazy and expect a fast easy answer from the community. This is why people have problems.
If its a legitamate question, 99% of people will always assist you. If its something that could of been answered on the first page of a well structured search, don't be surprised when you are getting negative answers. - juu801, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Latova,
Just because you can construct a search that answers a users question doesn't mean they can. Answering a question with condescending comments like "Google is your friend" and "RTFM" don't help anyone. Usually I'll post a the search terms used to produce an answer and a link to the answer.
Think of new users like children. Children have an eagerness to learn as do new *nix users posting in forums. If a child's question was answered with "RTFM" there may be a few that would be able to answer their own question but most would cry in the corner.
If *nix is to be widely adopted you can't have all the newbs crying in the corner. - gronne, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3That happens to Windows tech support people to. Half the time people don't know what a web browser is. Kevin Rose put it best "just double-click on the blue e".
- latova, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1This counts for a very small portion of the linux community actually does this, but I think what annoys linux vertans is that they get asked questions like "help me move files" when they could be solving peoples actual larger problems.
- jimdozer999, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Newbie here,
I've been messing with Linux for about a year. So far I've used Knoppix, Fedora, and presently SimplyMepis. I would say I do lack the experience, but I've just recently started using Linux and I have even gone as far as taking a Linux Admin class.
Dumb.....Probably not, Ignorant......I'll give you that one; however, ignorance can be taught
C-Ya! - AmyStephen, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0One of my favorite writers. He weaves humor and kindness throughout his articles making every paragraph fun to read. Loved this when he spoke of his wife "I think this is a good point (and not just because she is the boss of me)."
We all have gifts in different areas. Some may be operating system "dumb" and marketing smart. We have to help everyone clear the "learning how" hurdle so they can shared their gifts with us.
Good read - excellent points - funny, as usual from Scott Carpenter.
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