Helping people. (Was: Example of get nVidia)

[max bianco]

On Jan 22, 2008 11:30 AM, Les <hlhowell at pacbell.net> wrote:

> On Mon, 2008-01-21 at 20:41 -0600, Mikkel L. Ellertson wrote:
> > Les wrote:
> > > Also if Karl doesn't get it, there will be other much more timid folk
> > > who also don't get it.  When the answer that Karl understands is added
> > > to the archives, more people benefit than Karl.  I know this from
> years
> > > of teaching people complex topics in Test Engineering.  I could tell
> you
> > > some good stories about some classes, but those people were also
> serious
> > > about learning.  Better to have helped them than to upset them or
> tease
> > > them.  In turn they helped their friends and their company.  They
> become
> > > better thought of, the company's profit increases, and everyone is a
> > > winner.  Not hard, just hard to keep your composure sometimes.
> > >
> > So, what do you do when you have a student that will not read the
> > book, will not do the homework assignments, and argues that he know
> > better then the teacher? That when you try to correct his mistakes,
> > he calls you names?
> >
> > I have seen many people helped on the list that didn't understand.
> > The difference is that when they do not understand something, they
> > tell you what they don't understand, and get it explained to them in
> > simpler terms, and/or get pointers to where they can find the
> > information to help them understand.
> >
> > There are times when step by step instructions are the way to handle
> > things, but more often, it is better to help them find the
> > information they need, or accompany the instructions with
> > explanations of what the instructions do. Help them learn - don't do
> > the work for them!
> >
> > I have to question weather Fedora is the right distribution for
> > someone that needs step by step instructions, instead of being able
> > to read the instructions on a web page when it is pointed out to
> > them. I know it is not the distribution I would recommend to someone
> > for their first Linux distribution. It is not for someone that can
> > not do their own research, or understand the technical language. You
> > should also have at least some problem solving skill. If you need
> > someone to take you by the hand, and walk you through things, you
> > are in the wrong place. Using Fedora requires effort on the part of
> > the user to understand things.
> >
> > Mikkel
> These are your feelings.  I cannot tell you not to feel that way.  I
> cannot change Karl, either, but to harangue Karl because of your
> feelings is illogical and counter productive.  If you choose to answer
> him, do so as completely as you can and then stop.  Others can and will
> pick up the ball after that.  I just don't see it as a problem that
> tirade after tirade helps you, him and especially the list.  Just my
> opinion.
>
>
I second the idea that  he just be ignored if he is a problem.  Anybody
heard the one about the Pope and Bill Clinton?

-Max
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listman.redhat.com/archives/fedora-list/attachments/20080122/09601e81/attachment-0001.htm>