>Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 17:06:18 -0800 >From: E McCann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: Read the FAQs and archives
>Well, not having seen your name on here (under *this* alias) before, I can >only assume you're expecting a negative response. I think if "Grin With Me" had stopped two sentences short of the end of his second paragraph he would have done better. I was with him up to that point. >All I'm going to say is: >1. Yeah, I agree about the lists. I also agree about checking the FAQ, >though if you just see the list, join, and ask a question, you may not know >about it. > >So, instead of *just* saying "Read the FAQ" (I'll bet there are still a >good number of people who join that not only don't know about the FAQ, but >couldn't tell you what a FAQ was) how about modifying the reply: > >"That's actually in the FAQ, which is at http://macfaq.org. Go to the xxxx >section, there are some links / info / pictures / free toasters with >signup. If you need help with some of what it says, feel free to ask." > >As far as the TILs, it depends who has what links - some still point to the >old location, some to the new, some who knows where. I add my voice to the chorus that "Read the FAQ" does not a very helpful community make. Most of the folks who are going to ask the oft-seen questions are also likely to be somewhat disoriented on the topic and find it rather difficult to make the leap to the FAQ. It all seems terribly simple to the experienced user, and I know it's tough to understand, but when one isn't familiar with a topic, the simplest information can be bewildering. A simple example is that a FAQ may not phrase the same quesiton in the same way as a new user who doesn't understand the terminology, etc. I would like to suggest that if one is frustrated at seeing the same question asked by newcomers or even oldsters, rather than lashing out at the inquirer, perhaps the frustrated folks could simply refrain from responding, and let happier people field the easy questions. I am very active on the SuperMacs list. And I sometimes find myself frustrated with repeats of questions I've answered many times over the years. Now this is silly, because the asking of that question doesn't cost me anything except a moment reading an email. A bit of introspection and I realized that the frustration arises from a self-imposed feeling that I have some kind of duty to answer questions on SuperMacs. So there's this feeling of duty to answer, then someone asks a question I'm really tired of answering, and I don't want to answer it, but I feel like a should, and voila: frustration. I found a really simple solution to this that didn't involve any rude comments. I just don't answer those questions that I won't enjoy answering. And you know what? Someone else always manages to field those questions. So my experience may not be the same as others, but there it is in the event that some might find it helpful. Jeff Walther P.S. Anyone know of any use for a Q630 MB sans CPU? I know it isn't worth anything to sell, but I'm reluctant to throw it away--all those custom Apple chips on board. -- Quadlist is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Quadlist info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/quadlist.shtml> The FAQ: <http://macfaq.org/> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/quadlist%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
