From: rshepard@salmo.appl-ecosys.com   
      
   On 2004-04-27, Richard Nielsen  wrote:   
      
   > Although I do agree with the idea that one should read all the books and   
   > then use all the search engines in the world. After carefully having   
   > studied all the material therein should one attempt to approach the   
   > members with ones silly questions or better yet "go play in another   
   > sandbox".   
      
     The problem, from my perspective, is that the original article showed no   
   evidence of the writer's attempts to learn anything on his own. Specific   
   questions that are focused and show the attempts of the writer to find the   
   answer always elicit detailed and focused responses.   
      
     Years ago, before I escaped from academia, I taught at the university   
   level. My favorite student evaluation (from a member of a freshman,   
   non-major biology course) was the simple statement, "Dr. Shepard gives poor   
   notes." It was obviously my fault as an instructor that the poor student   
   knew nothing about taking notes during lectures. My reaction to the original   
   article was based on my reading the same plaint: spoon-feed me so I don't   
   need to do any work or thinking on my own. My reactions to such requests are   
   never positive and rarely polite.   
      
   > So the answer to the original question should of course have been as follows   
   > (and I'm sure that is what you really ment to write ;-) ) ...   
      
     "Do some basic research trying to answer your question yourself. Then come   
   to us with specific areas of confusion or lack of understanding."   
      
     If you think that Earl and I were rough on the poor writer, try posting to   
   the comp.os.linux.slackware newsgroup, or any of the linux technical mail   
   lists without documenting where you've looked for an answer.   
      
     Perhaps part of the problem is that both Earl and I work by ourselves and   
   for ourselves. We're dependent only upon ourselves for our professional   
   successes, including generating income, benefits and all the other Good   
   Things that emmployees have someone else provide. Try running your own   
   company for a decade or more before you chastise others for being short with   
   those who want handouts without effort.   
      
   > I for one have used some of my hard earned money to by books written by   
   > members of this group and I hate to think that that money was wasted because   
   > the author wrote the book only for the people fit for the sanbox? I'm   
   > wrong.....right?   
      
     Did you learn anything from the books? Did you write the authors with   
   specific questions germane to topics in the books?   
      
   > And Rich don't you think there is enogh sand for everybody?   
      
     Certainly! But, bring your own toys and don't expect to borrow mine.   
      
   Rich   
      
   --   
   Dr. Richard B. Shepard, President   
   Applied Ecosystem Services, Inc. (TM)   
      
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)