Re: Helping people. (Was: Example of get nVidia)

["Mikkel L. Ellertson" <mikkel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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
--

  Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
for thou art crunchy and taste good with Ketchup!

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