I guess the assumption is being made that only green users will ask "basic questions". Or at least, they are more likely to commit the fallacy of not looking through documentation before posting.

But I'd like to posit that even though I have excellent resource material in front of me (close to the whole O'Reilly Perl series), there are still situations where it would be more appropriate for me to ask a question here. In many of these cases, it's more of a situation where I will take the time to ponder the solutions after the fact of implemenation and try to dissect them into their operative mannerism. I'm willing to argue that a green question is good, as long as the end result is productive learning.

The obvious problem is that there is no way to gauge if a solution will facilitate productive learning, since the user is not obligated to follow up. So, this is a matter of faith. I have to trust that if I provide a solution to a green question, I am helping the asker to learn something.

And one final note on this topic: I know that Perl, Linux, and this general area of computing is supposed to be a community. It is important for newbies to understand that by joining this community, you are hereby obligated to read a lot of documentation, to expect that the quick and easy path will lead to Visual Basic style development, and a mixture of help and chastisement. It is important for seasoned vets to aid and to scorn. But I'm going to argue that the two must work hand in hand to create a better community. As an experienced developer with certain areas, I don't want to just give out easy answers all the time. But it's also kind of a civic duty to do more than shout RTFM at the drop of a hat.

It's been my experience in the past that a good majority of us probably know how to make snide comments that appear within helpful answers. It's one of the facets of many of the geek communities I've been in, and I'd argue that it is an important facet that controls the hierarchy of the group. It creates a healthy competition to become better.

ALL HAIL BRAK!!!

In reply to RE: Are there questions to basic? by PsychoSpunk
in thread Are there questions to basic? by OzzyOsbourne

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