Randall Shimizu wrote:
> I recall a that made a comment that a lot of people on another list were
> asking questions that they should already know. I also get the impression
> that many KPLUG members assume that everyone should be on the same technical
> level. I think some people are put off by this.
>
==> please note that I have changed the subject to keep
from diluting the discussion about SDCS.
You know, I seem to remember making comments like that on occasion, and
as I recall, I was typically trying to nudge someone (ie a particular
person in particular circumstances) into using what I believed he
already knew[1].
If you draw the conclusion that that's the response to every submitter
and/or question, then I humbly submit that you are perhaps overreacting.
I won't claim that I (or others) haven't lost patience on occasion, but
I really think this is neither frequent nor worse than everyday normal
human interaction.
The great value of lists are that they go to multiple community
participants, but that doesn't change the fact that most exchanges are
directed communications among a small subset -- sometimes just 2. The
point here is that eavesdropping (being the norm on lists) requires
allowing for personal relationships you can't see in the words. A and B
may shout at each other all the time and still be close friends!
There have been rare occasions where someone loses control, but I am
happy to see that that always seems to be corrected by onlookers or
principals themselves. Again, I think this is not _too much_ different
from daily interactions.
Finally, (and another situation that parallels the larger world), there
have from time to time been people who seem just not very interested in
(or good at) interacting within _our_ micro-culture (list, technical,
linux-oriented, ..). Sometimes those people go away mad -- usually,
after what seems to me to be exceptional patience of kpluggers trying to
help the person adjust. This is another fact of life, I think.
You also say you get an impression that many members assume that
everyone should be on the same technical level, and I don't understand
quite what you are getting at. Perhaps you could elaborate.
Maybe you are suggesting something along the lines of elitism? If so, I
would disagree with that. I think our group is a pretty good example of
a "big tent" approach. There are plenty of sub-groups here and there and
a big range of technical expertise (and inexpertise) that seem expressed
without fear of ridicule. Well, that's my impression, anyway.
So, I have quite a different impression of the KPLUG people and KPLUG
lists, I guess.
==> I do suggest you try to make concrete and constructive suggestions
if and when you see something you feel is unfriendly or elitist.
I don't mean to discourage you from expressing your opinions. Even
opinions that are not shared by the majority. I feel one of our
strengths is tolerance of differing opinion -- even in the Kooler!
[1] I bet you have heard the saying comparing the relative merits of
giving someone a fish vs teaching him to fish.
Regards,
..jim (trying to be friendly, I really am)
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