IMHO I would definitely *not* recommend people using IRC (except maybe the #slug channel, which I only just found out about). It probably took me an extra 3 years to learn to use linux because of the attitudes of linux users on IRC. I can give you a list of 5 names right now off the top of my head (although I wont) of prominent linux users who get great pleasure in tormenting the ignorant (one of these I have noticed wrote one of the man-pages for the ldp...so you would think he would know better). I got so sick and tired of seeing new users have there enthusiam squashed with the condescending retorts of seasoned veterans that I decided to start my own irc channel at #debian-newbies, theres never anyone in there but those that do come will find help instead of criticism.
I believe that this attitude is what will hold back the entire open source movement. Although I must admit that slug has been one of the friendliest linux resources I have found... Cheers, Adam. On Mon, 2003-03-17 at 23:36, Chris D wrote: > Most books on 'Generic Linux' will work with Debian. > I was actualy able to get a 1000-page or so "Debian GNU/linux 2.1 > unleashed" for $10 in January. Most of the info still works, and is > useful for reference. > > Now dont be embarrassed! > Going on IRC (freenode, irc.freenode.net, in #debian - and join #slug > while your there) is the source of sooo much help. I'm not kidding - IRC > has given me great support in times of crisis (as well as times of > "Thats it, this thing is going out the window NOW!"). > > Remember, nobody cares if you don't know this - that's why we're here to > help :) > > Cheers, > Chris > > On Mon, 2003-03-17 at 22:59, mick wrote: > > Hi All, > > > > After a busy few weeks I finally had the oppurtunity to sit down and start to > > look around my new Debian Woody install. I still don't have Xwindows cause > > my radeons not supported. I wanted to start getting to know this OS, when I > > started with RedHat, I had a nice BIG book to read from. > > > > Is there a BIG book of Debian, either downloadable or bought that is highly > > recommended for Newbies. (Advanced Network Administration for Debian Servers > > is out of the question, something more of the "Using Debian ... the How to > > find your arse with both hands guide.", type flavour) > > > > I find it embarressing to keep posting simplistic questions when most posts > > seem to deal with > > "redirecting /var/spoong/thingo/tango/charlie to less|more| and > > thensome/headache/var/null/ to get your usb printer working because they left > > :icky/icky/wangna/print/this out of the build in kernel version 1.1.Sanders. > > > > I need a little |less information and lot more HOWTO. I've wasted money on > > books that didn't accomplish what they claimed to set out. I was hoping some > > of the Debian community could help me get on track quickly, without pestering > > the slug post. > > > > Yours > > > > Mick > -- > > --- > Chris D. ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > > "In a world without fences, who needs GATES?" -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group - http://slug.org.au/ More Info: http://lists.slug.org.au/listinfo/slug
