[NTLUG:Discuss] NTLUG veterans helping Linux newbies?

[Bobby Wrenn]

One of the "Newbies"

I have been using Linux as my desktop system for over 2yr. I currently
need to bring up mail, web and ftp on my home network with connection to
the outside world. I have worked in the Ineternet industry for over 18
months and I still don't even know how to frame the question in such a
way that I can find answers when I RTM.

The problem is that all documentation, discussion, and training is
written from the inside out. It assumes some basic understanding of the
paradigm. If you come at it from outside you don't even know how to ask
a question, much less understand the answer.

So, sometimes (a lot of the time) saying RTM makes sure I will both not
find an answer and not ask the next time.

I have asked serveral questions on this list. I have had some good to
the point answers, some exotic discussions of OS theory (when I just
want to make it work), and some questions have gone unanswered.

The only way the Linux community grows is by teaching people who do not
know. We don't need a new list we need a willingness to get down in the
sand box and play with those who just want to learn what someone else
already knows.

Bobby

Jonathan Miller wrote:
> 
> On Tue, 22 Feb 2000, B. DEGRASSE wrote:
> > I agree with the original posting, it is difficult coming up to speed.  How
> > about a newbie email list where truely dumb questions can be asked.
> 
> As opposed to this mailing list? Sorry, couldn't resist.
> 
> Seriously, though, where are the dumb questions? I've never seen any
> flaming going on on this list. I think that it's more than supportive of
> newbies. In fact, I think creating another mailing list would cause more
> problems than it's worth. There's not a huge amount of traffic on this
> list, and if the newbies are off in their own little world, who will
> answer there questions?
> 
> I know that there have been people guilty of saying, "RTFM" *cough* me
> *cough*. It's not to be rude, it's just a) it's really useful to know
> where the docs are and b) there's going to be a lot more information in
> there than what I'm going to reply to any mailing list with and c) if you
> still can't get it to work you'll be able to explain your problem better
> so that someone can help you.
> 
> My question is: where are the newbies we are concerned about? I hear
> little from them on the list. At the couple meetings I've been to they
> seem the people at the beginners meeting seem either well enough
> established or at least know what questions to ask.
> 
> Actually if I were forced to say anything negative about the NTLUG, it
> would be that there is much here for the "veteran". Like my current
> intrests are rolling my own distro for a few sparcs and doing pilot
> programming under Linux. These are things I wouldn'teven dream of talking
> about on this list normally.
> 
> OK, actually there are 2 thing that I would say. Secondly, us all being
> fans of open source software, I'd like to know what kind of projects the
> members are involved in, and possibly have NTLUG sponsored projects.
> 
> .. but that's just my humble opinion
> 
> Are there any other individuals out there that although they help teaching
> the newbies, also want to learn more for themselves?
> 
> -- Jonathan
> 
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