Explaining FreeBSD features

[Michael H. Semcheski]

On Thursday 23 June 2005 11:24 am, Steve Bertrand wrote:
> > I think, that really only questions, whose answers cannot
> > readily be found elsewhere, should be asked on this list.

> For the most part, yes, only non-readily available answers should be
> posted to the list, but there are circumstances where the list can
> provide, as someone else suggested a quick RTFM, here is the link to
> what you are looking for.

I think the answers that someone who has been using FreeBSD for 6 days or 6 
weeks can find are going to be a small subset of the set of answers found by 
someone who has been using FreeBSD for 6 years.

Often on mailing lists, I've been pointed in the ride direction.  If you say 
something as simple as "check out man 8 sysctl", thats teaching someone to 
fish.  We aren't all born super-geniuses, but with a little help most of us 
can get on our way.

The other thing is if you do a google search for an error message you're 
having, you're likely to find archives of mailing lists.  Remember that when 
you answer a question.  This may come back and help someone out in a few 
years.  


> > Part of the FreeBSD education should consist of informing the
> > user how they can help themselves, and how they should seek
> > help in the event that the self-help fails. If that education
> > scheme was effectively employed, perhaps there wouldn't be as
> > many "stupid" questions.

> Yes, but how does one inform the user of the self-help approach.
> Obviously putting that education in the handbook would be moot as they
> likely haven't read the handbook anyway ;)

Nobody starts out wanting to become an expert, they just want to accomplish a 
task.  Eventually, they may actually become an expert, or have the self-help 
skills to solve problems on their own.  With trial and error, you eventually 
find that asking for help is not the quickest or most reliable way to solve a 
problem in every case.  But, thats a necessary lesson to learn nonetheless.


Mike