[SLE] How to answer questions was Re: [SLE] Watching DVD on SuSE 10

From: R Goodwin (rgoodwin1_at_cox.net)
Date: 10/16/05

  • Next message: Ken Schneider: "Re: [SLE] Watching DVD on SuSE 10" 
    To: suse-linux-e@suse.com
Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2005 15:19:41 -0400

    On Sun, 2005-10-16 at 14:07 -0400, Andy Choens wrote:
    > >
    > >
    > > It's not only a matter of money rather than licensing and restrictions
    > > on both sides. For example, for software to be GPL compliant it may
    > > not contain proprietary closed source and vice versa. Redistribution
    > > would then be either prohibited or the closed source must be opened.
    > > You see the problem? It's some kind of deadlock and it's not going to
    > > change soon; sadly, it's getting worse.
    > >
    > > \Steve
    > >
    > >
    > Before I begin my reply I want to apologize to Steve for emailing him
    > directly. Wrong button on gmail. Sorry!
    >
    > This is one of the most important problems facing "Desktop Linux" today.
    > When we (the people on this list) go out and buy/download SUSE/etc. and it
    > doesn't play DVD's, we are capable of following the directions here and
    > installing what is needed. People on these lists know you are supposed to
    > read the archives, and probably have the archives on their hard drive/gmail
    > account for easy searching. But, if my Dad were to download SUSE and then
    > get told (as happened on this thread) to stop complaining, etc. about the
    > lack to DVD capability, win32 codecs, etc. he would throw SUSE out the
    > window and be back on Windows before you could blink. His feelings wouldn't
    > be hurt...since he cares less about your opinions than you suppose, but he
    > does want to be able to FULLY use his computer.
    >
    > I believe it is time for groups like OSDL, Novell, Red Hat, etc. to start
    > really working towards a solution for multimedia on Linux. Otherwise, yes,
    > on the modern internet you are running crippleware. It's even more
    > frustrating on 64-bit Linux, but tha's another story. Everyone who has said
    > that the problem is a legal one and not a technical problem are of course
    > 100% correct. Thus, someone needs to step forward and take responsibility
    > for fixing that legal hurdle. This is not a minor hurdle. I don't know very
    > many non-geeks who would put up with having to jerry-rig their computers to
    > lay a DVD. True, Windows doesn't come with this capability, but when someone
    > buys a computer, the computer DOES come with this capability, which is
    > interpreted as Windows coming with the capability. Truth is often less
    > important than perception in the minds of the decision maker.
    >
    > I think it is VERY important that people on lists like this NOT attack
    > someone who asks this type of question. They should in fact be helped. If
    > they didn't know to read the archives or already know the answer to that
    > question, they wouldn't have asked it. If these types of questions annoy
    > you, I have a suggestion. Don't answer them, let someone else who is in a
    > better mood.
    >
    > Sincerely,
    > --andy

    You are absolutely correct.

    It would be a great help if everybody who writes an answer would read
    what they wrote from a newbie perspective before sending it. If it is
    offensive then don't send it. People who can't answer from a
    non-technical newbie perspective may not be the right people to help
    out. This says nothing about one's technical abilities. Not answering
    every question you can is not a bad thing. Sometimes others can
    articulate a solution better ... THAT is a good thing. THAT is the
    helpful thing.

    There is a famous "paper" providing guidelines as to how to ask a
    question (http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html). The fact
    that it is like 40+ printed pages says to me it is no longer oriented
    towards the non-technical people we wish to have in our community.

    I am collating thoughts on a counter paper on how to ANSWER questions.
    If you have constructive inputs, please, drop me a line off the list. I
    will post what I write when it is ready.

    Rich 

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  • Next message: Ken Schneider: "Re: [SLE] Watching DVD on SuSE 10"