[mythtv-users] constant flames against people that are new tothelist - can't we all be adults here?

[Tim Harvey]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org [mailto:mythtv-users-
> bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of Stephan Wentz
> Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2003 4:48 AM
> To: Discussion about mythtv
> Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] constant flames against people that are
new
> tothelist - can't we all be adults here?
> 
> 
> >>>But heck, I'm scared to death to post also.
> >>
> >>You shouldn't be. Just don't ask something that's already been
> >>answered. Thoroughly read the documentation and search the mailing
list
> >>archive, then ask if you haven't found what you're looking for, and
> >>chances are, you'll be clear of all possible flaming. Too many
people
> >>just aren't following those steps.
> >
> >
> > I have a controversial observation (based on people here at my work)
> that the difference between an "IT" person and a "non-IT" person comes
> down to an "IT" person knows how to read the instructions.  There is a
> genuine skill in knowing how to read and search through documentation,
all
> the little things like searching for the opposite function (or
something
> related) and then using the cross reference, "see also" type stuff, to
> crab sideways to find what you really wanted.
> >
> > It doesn't appear to be that easy to "most" people to search
> documentation and find what they are looking for...  I think those
that
> can do this have a "special skill", don't underestimate the value of
> this...
> >
> > Anyway, I'm sure loads of people never try and read the
instructions.  I
> have no comment about this, just an observation that some people find
it
> much easier than others.
> 
> Yepp, that's just what i'm thinking of this. MythTV get's better -
more
> people are using it. And these people won't necessarily be
Linux-Cracks,
> like it used to be. And these people WILL ask stupid questions.
> This looks like the situation Linux was in some time ago, only cracks
> where using it, and everybody moaned about the might of M$ and why
> everyone is using such a lousy OS. Then more and more "normal" people
> started using Linux and what happened? Now the cracks moaned about
> people trying to get Linux running, it seems like they weren't happy
> that their OS was getting more and more public... I think the reason
> these cracks got angry was that normal people tried to take their
> snobbish position, they couldn't believe that they are better then
> others any more.
> Hehe, and the same was about the Internet, at first only students used
> it, and more and more not-so-intellectual people used it (I only have
to
> mention A0L and Usenet...) and we were in the same situation.
> 
> I think that everony should be happy about every new user, because it
> helps to broaden the base that e.g. MythTV stands on, and the more
> public it gets, the more other developers will get interested in it.
> 
> There are other ways about helping these people, why isn't the FAQ
> posted here once in a week, like in most Usenet-Groups? Or maybe put a
> big hint to the web-faq in the subscription mail? Or even better,
start
> a new Newbies-List...

'the FAQ'????  Bring it on!  I haven't come across one yet, but I have
been known to miss the fairly obvious on many occasions.  Please post
such a thing.  If there is one, I think it's a huge oversight that its
not one of the first things you see when you visit http://www.mythtv.org
(if there is one, I fail to find it anywhere on the site, but then the
site isn't searchable either).

Tim

> 
> Gee, everybody started in small steps, and it can really get
frustrating
> when it doesn't work.
> 
> Stephan
>