See comments below ....
Hani Suleiman wrote:
> Wellllll....
>
> <flameproofsuit>
> My native language isn't English either, but this IS an English mailing
> list, isn't it? I think it's reasonable that if someone requests help,
> they should at least be able to express their problem coherently. They're
>
Yes, absolutely. They should be able to clearly articulate their issues,
details on their hardware setup, versions of all relevent software (OS, system
software, user programs) running on their system (including patch levels,
etc.). If they haven't detailed all of this in their request, then they are
wasting my time since I will have to then query them for this information
piecemeal.
> very unlikely to get help if nobody can understand the problem to start
> with! Mind you, the ejb-interest list really gets some.....'interestingly
>
In addition, they should be up to date on all of the relevant specifications
related to Java2, EJB 1.1 & 2.0, Servlets, Security, Http, XML, etc. If they
don't have the time to read through these specs and be literate, then I don't
have time to answer any of their questions.
> worded' posts and it really does lower the overall quality, IMHO (or at
> least, it's quite an annoyance). Thankfully enough vendors pipe in to
>
I wholeheartedly agree .... we should take them out back and flog them publicly.
[Flip sarcasm switch to off]
Okay, while I was being sarcastic up above, there is some truth to the fact that
when people describe problems on this list it helps if they are literate in
English, explain their hardware/software set up and have some knowledge about
the area (EJB, servlets, jsp, etc.) they're having problems. It seems to me
that you've arbitrarily chosen to set the barrier to entry at the level of
English literacy. Ie. if they're not fluent in English they are an annoyance to
you and you don't want to waste your time in answering their questions. Well,
what about those who would say that your bar is set too low? Some people would
say that answering a question is not worthwhile unless you've already read the
specifications/manuals/sample code/documents multiple times.
Setting a bar that high would make this list more efficient ... but not a place
that I would want to frequent. We're not perfect. By the grace of God, I and
the Internet happened to grow up with English as our primary language. But
while I struggle to learn a new language, the Internet is soaking up tons of new
languages every day. I can already see the writing on the wall as search engine
queries routinely turn up pages in languages other than English. It won't be
long before I may have to be subscribed to a non-English resource and I'll then
have to struggle to translate my questions into a language foreign to me.
When that day comes, I hope there are people on the list who are more
understanding than yourself. The point of this list is that people are able to
ask questions and provide responses. If you don't want to answer any questions,
simply ignore those messages. But don't look down at those who aren't as fluent
in English as yourself ..... unless you yourself wish to be judged.
People on this list have varying levels of fluency in English, Java, EJB, http,
etc. I applaud everyone who is trying to better themselves by expanding their
horizons in any and all of these areas.
Life is simple: Lead and help others, follow and learn or just get out of the
way.
Hitesh
> [snip]
