From: dblack@pilot.njin.net (David Alan Black) Date: 25 Jun 1996 19:25:27 -0400 Newsgroups: comp.infosystems.www.authoring.cgi Hello - aeden@umiami.ir.miami.edu writes: >I have just spent the last half hour looking through the CGI authoring >newsgroup and to say I am shocked would be an understatement. For all >of the people out there who are asking the most basic questions, try >reading a book and get the answer yourself before you waste the time >of readers like me. This is especially true when it comes to language- >specific questions (ie. How do I do this in PERL?, or C?) Interesting - the Perl group doesn't want the CGI stuff either :-) >Doing your own research is a good thing. You will probably learn more >than just the answer to your question. Part of the problem is that people are lazy. But another part of the problem is that people do genuinely learn in different ways. That in itself isn't bad. But if, say, someone learns better by detailed explanation or discussion of a problem than by reading (and as a teacher, I assure you that many or most do), then that person should not, in my opinion, be excluded from Usenet interaction. Making a cut like that for an entire communications medium is a bit like saying that only advanced books should be published. (Yes, I know the limits of that analogy.) I am not advocating the cluttering of newsgroups with easy questions. But I also hate to see it all degenerate into a kind of on-line "Simon Says," where you're "out" if you make a false move. I've seen hundreds of exasperatingly lazy postings over the years, but I've also seen people take clear delight in jumping down the throats of people who have reached a point in their work where they don't understand something, or haven't been able to make the necessary connections, and legitimately need help. Furthermore, for better or worse, it's clear by now that the cycle of unresearched postings followed by disapproval, etc., doesn't work. Perhaps it *should* work, but on empirical grounds I conclude that it doesn't. Are there any *real* solutions - i.e., solutions which succeed in both uncluttering the newsgroups and not disenfranchising people who happen to thrive, in the process of learning, on the Usenet's particular communicative and cognitive modes? Not to mention those of us who actually *like* fielding (non-lazy) questions from beginners in subjects we love? >And above all, have a wonderful day! Eh, it was OK :-) David Black dblack@pilot.njin.net
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