Xref: utzoo comp.graphics:2146 news.groups:3187
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!mailrus!ames!ucsd!nosc!humu!uhccux!garvin
From: garvin@uhccux.UUCP (Jay Garvin)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics,news.groups
Subject: no newuser group is required
Message-ID: <1720@uhccux.UUCP>
Date: 4 Apr 88 04:50:50 GMT
References: <1182@pembina.UUCP>
Reply-To: garvin@uhccux.UUCP (Jay Garvin)
Organization: U. of Hawaii, Manoa (Honolulu)
Lines: 66

In article <1182@pembina.UUCP> cdshaw@alberta.UUCP (Chris Shaw) writes:
>A couple of days ago I half-proposed the idea of a subgroup for comp.graphics
>called comp.graphics.newuser. ...
.......
>The purpose of the newsgroup is to deflect neophyte questions from the
>Terribly Serious Business that goes on in comp.graphics. ......

	I disagree with this sort of sentiment.  As long as the question
	is within the realm of graphics, it should be valid for inclusion
	in this group.  Please try to have an open mind and do not relegate
	the beginners out there to a separate group, for despite how
	"simple" a question might seem, there are often new approaches
	and new insights which come out in the responses.  Remember that
	you may think that you already know all the groundwork and are 
	working on advanced topics now, but there are those out there
	who might consider your "Serious Business" mere child's play.

	If you are terribly offended by "simple" questions, just use 
	that key on your keyboard labeled 'n'.  I think that little
	'n' key has the ability to keep everybody happy.

>The problem is that many neophyte readers find asking the net much easier than
>reading the appropriate reference. Sometimes this is because the neophyte is
>lazy, other times because he is otherwise unable to get the answers out of
>a book, or is unaware of the literature.
>
	I also wish we would see less of the "Go to the library and look
	it up yourself!" responses.  You may be lucky enough to be at
	one of the major institutions or big cities which have libraries
	with millions of volumes and where it is fairly easy to get 
	books on the subject, but please realize that there are people
	out there who do not have such easy access.  Perhaps they would 
	need to drive or walk several hours to a library to look for
	material, or perhaps they live in a foreign country where 
	English language material is rare.  The net allows them to
	get references to specific publications first, rather than
	say ordering a $50.00 book from a publishing company only to
	find that it is not what they wanted.  And allows one to 
	save hours and hours of bibliographical research if someone
	else has already compiled that information.  

	If someone asks a trivial question, it is enough to say, 
	"Well, there is an excellent book called "Intro to ...."
	by C. Graphics  which will tell you the answer to that
	question as well as much more."   and leave it at that.

	If the question is something you're really above, just
	skip it.    right??


Aloha,

-Jay

          "...just like livin' in paradise." -Diamond Dave
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Jeffrey Jay Garvin              _                                          |
| Computer Specialist          __| |  _                Aloha!                |
| Interactive Services        |__  |_| |__                                   |
| University of Hawaii       ____|    ____|      garvin@uhccux.BITNET        |
| Computing Center          |__   _  |__                                     |
| 2565 The Mall                |_| |  __|     garvin@uhccux.uhcc.hawaii.edu  |
| Keller Hall Rm 201               |_|                                       |
| Honolulu, HI  96822 USA                                                    |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
  FROM UUCP:        {ihnp4,uunet,dcdwest,ucbvax}!ucsd!nosc!uhccux!garvin