Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!comp.vuw.ac.nz!waikato!phil
From: phil@waikato.ac.nz
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.apps
Subject: Re: Basic questions posted to the net.
Message-ID: <2287.27414833@waikato.ac.nz>
Date: 14 Nov 90 00:35:47 GMT
References: <2715@ux.acs.umn.edu>
Organization: University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Lines: 36

In article <2715@ux.acs.umn.edu>, clarson@ux.acs.umn.edu (Chaz Larson) writes:
> Often in comp.sys.mac.*, I have seen questions asked that are of an extremely
> basic nature; things that can be found in the manuals of the products without
> a great deal of trouble.
> 
> How do all of you interpret these types of questions?  I generally assume that
> anyone who would have to post to the net asking how to accomplish something of
> this nature must not be a legitimate owner of the product, since they seem not
> to have a manual to refer to.

In the case of our campus, students can use software on servers (licensed for
the number of computers with access to the software) and not have direct access
to the manual (they'd get stolen if they were left in the labs).  However we
have a help desk arrangement where users can go for assistance.  It's sad that
naive users have to resort to the net for answers to trivial questions rather
than the local user support network.  I feel it should be an obligation to
consortium members to provide a decent level of local support.
> 
> Because of this, I am inclined to never answer questions like this, or to
> answer them only with the number of the illuminating manual page. Has this
> been brought up before?  I'm curious as to net.opinion on this matter, and
> I thought it might benerate some lively discussion.
> 
I'm not sure if I've ever seen one (but I've got my flame-proof suit handy just
in case it exists), but perhaps a Frequently Asked Questions file as seen in
other newsgroups would be a good idea.  If it was posted once a week, say, old
hands can KILL it, and those new to the group would have a good chance of
seeing it.  I'm not volunteering to compile the file -- maybe the suggestion
will inspire someone.

Alternatively, let the freedom of people's wills govern the action taken.  If
someone feels like answering the request, let them go for it!
-- 
Phil Etheridge (phil@waikato.ac.nz)                 /\  /\   -+-,--, .--, ._
Computer Services/Mathematics & Statistics         /  \/  \  / /--< /--  /
University of Waikato, Hamilton, NZ.              /        \/ /__.) \_  /