ts@uwasa.fi (Timo Salmi) (05/15/91)
In article <3735@naucse.cse.nau.edu> wew@naucse.cse.nau.edu (Bill Wilson) writes: >One thing I think you should remember is that new people come on to the >network every day. They will not know what the "obvious" answers or That is perfectly true, and that's why I (for one) have standard answers to many of these questions, mostly in the form or pointers where and how to look for information. But naturally a suitable balance must be struck beween pointers and full anwers. In the case of newcomers who need these pointers, please let's also remember that the way for these welcome people to go is first to read these messages for a suitable spell before starting to post. That is the most logical introduction anyway, and doing that answers many of the trivial whereis postings, letting people concentrate on those which need someone's special knowledge. (I cannot say where the line is between what is what are basic standard utilities, but common sense should prevail). Consider the fact that if there are too many easy whereare questions, the difficult ones really needing the attention might get less efforts because of that, and that would also be a definite loss. Some time ago there was a discussion about preparing a periodic starters' message for the information seekers of this group. I wonder what is the state of that worthwhile project. >knowledge. If you want to be snotty, send the mail directly to them >and not the net. I have a deja vu about this part. Now why would I want to be snotty. That would achieve nothing, and is not the way to go about these things. At least not my intention, even if I sometimes like to attempt an occasional pun to lighten things up. I try to help, but I give often give the pointers rather than the complete answer in my postings. The reasons for this are that it is quicker, more accurate, and in the long run teaches more than being hand-fed a simple answer. (I hope that you just used "you" here in a passive sense instead of the more correct "one". But note how delicate a media this can be). One further thought comes to mind from this. Aren't readers interested in the call for discussion for making the whereis postings (and the archive information) separate groups. ................................................................... Prof. Timo Salmi Moderating at garbo.uwasa.fi anonymous ftp archives 128.214.12.37 School of Business Studies, University of Vaasa, SF-65101, Finland Internet: ts@chyde.uwasa.fi Funet: gado::salmi Bitnet: salmi@finfun