sentinel wrote:
finitely not however as I mentioned recently, simply ignoring those who aren't trying is the game plan. After a couple of weak attempts they usually leave. I rather liked Wiggins responses to those who don't try. Point them to specific perldocs references. It's more effort than they put in (maybe) but at least it get's them studying.
Also remember that what seems trivial to you may be incomprehensible to a new programmer for whom perl is a first language. If you've been programming for a few years, in one language or another, you will have developed a mental model of how code gets turned into instructions, and that is a very useful guide to what you should be doing- not everyone has developed that, and it may be that it takes them a lot of effort to formulate a badly formed question- that might be sufficient effort.
I programmed a lot in basic as a kid, but I was still totally stumped the first time I ran into a C compiler- well that was before widespread internet access, and I did eventually figure it out, but I shudder, thinking about how clueless my cries for help would have been had I had access to a list like this (but the effort I put in on that was well beyond sufficient- it was wastefully heroic- if you learned to program in the pre-web era from a couple of horribly written manuals, you'll understand what I mean). I remember how clueless I was trying to figure out Imake, etc (well, as you know there's only one Imake file in the world- just been modified a few times- but if it were ever lost it's unlikely anyone would be able to come up with a fresh one...)- I blamed compiler bugs for a lot of stuff for a while- as in, there must be a bug in this compiler :). I also remember harassing Borland's technical support claiming there was an install problem when in fact I lacked the necessary mental model to figure out their build tool.
I'd also claim (perhaps incorrectly), based on later experience, that I have an above average aptitude for programming- as do a lot of people on this list, particularly the most knowledgeable. It's likely that at least some of the posters to the list will have an _even harder time_ with the basics than I, or you, did... which is saying something in my case at least.
Not that I'm above being rude to someone 'cause I think they are being lazy- but before you make that judgement you should establish that it is laziness rather than newbishness which is implicated. If you lack a mental model for programming you will ask some astonishingly thick questions, and respond to clear, concise answers with 'but I don't get it... and I have no real idea of how to get it'. I know I would have, had there been someone to ask. I still do, occasionally ;).
Hopefully he hasn't left but then again (this might sound harsh) I'd rather he get a tougher skin and deal with it. Nothing personal mind you. It's simply life.
P.S. Gunner come back. Don't run man :-)
Good deal if he feels like it- but maybe he's happier only dealing with people who know their way around.
Anyway, I know this thread is supposed to be dead, but since it refuses to die, I felt like putting in my two cents- sorry, admin, and everyone who wants it to go away.
Tagore Smith
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