Since mid-May, Michael has posted slightly over 1 new thread per day,
the majority being questions that could be answered using the keywords
from his message (in this case, google for "wav mp3" on google.com/linux
..). I believe the book "Absolute BSD" puts it best:
"When you mail a question to a FreeBSD mailing list, you are requesting
that one or more people take the time to help you rather than watch a
favorite TV show, enjoy dinner with family, or catch up on sleep.
Problems arise when these experts answer the same question 10, 50, or
even 100 times, or more. They become grumpy. Some get downright cranky.
What makes matters worse is that these same people have spent a great
deal of time making the answers to most of these questions available
elsewhere."
The same applies here. As a community, I believe many of us want others
to be empowered to solve their own issues. Google is a great resource
and in almost all circumstances should be a #1 or #2 choice when
initially addressing an issue. There are so many tutorials, product
reviews, how-tos and other freely available information that its (imho)
insensitive of others time and generosity to utilize a mailing list, IRC
chat line or other personalized service as a primary support vehicle.
Of course, and I think Matt would agree with me, people who post
messages and have shown that they have searched unsuccessful or are
stumped and seek a helping hand are encouraged.
Vaughn Treude wrote:
>Matt, I don't mean to bash you, so please don't take this comment personally.
> I myself took your posting as a bit of a joke. But Michael does have a good
>point. A couple of years ago I worked on a Linux project with a guy who was
>a fair bit more experienced than me. I mentioned PLUG, and he said he had
>been turned off by the "RTFM attitude" of some of the group members. I
>personally thought he was being a bit over-sensitive, and I told him I had
>gotten a lot of help from PLUG people. But I think we should be aware that
>newbies aren't always sure if they're even asking the right question. I know
>I've had a lot of trouble with terminology in the past, and if you don't know
>the right terms, Google isn't much help.
>
>
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