Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 24th Jul 2007 15:16 UTC, submitted by danwarne
Linux "Con Kolivas is a prominent developer on the Linux kernel and strong proponent of Linux on the desktop. But recently, he left it all behind. Why? In this interview with APCMag.com, Con gives insightful answers exploring the nature of the hardware and software market, the problems the Linux kernel must overcome for the desktop, and why despite all this he's now left it all behind."
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flanque
Member since:
2005-12-15

That's really at odds with my experience back when I was first learning about Linux. Granted, it was a Red Hat specific IRC channel, but even when learning the very basics I got abused to no end because I didn't "RTFM".

The only problem was that I didn't know how to access the man pages and being new searching for things on the Internet could be difficult when you don't know the specific key words to enter.

I think it's come a long way since then, but I am not at all surprised people get nailed for asking questions others take for granted as assumed knowledge.

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 3

dylansmrjones Member since:
2005-10-02

Well, if you don't know how to access man-pages you are definitely not a "tech savvy user" ;)

It's true that developers are often harsh on newbies, but more often than not it's because newbies are swallowing human resources like nobody else can. And that's annoying - and being annoyed (even when a person does not intend to annoy) brings out the worst in people.

OTOH, show the devs that you know what you're doing, and they will be more than friendly.

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Oliver Member since:
2006-07-15

Maybe Linux should acquire first some real man pages or documentation at all before crying RTFM at newbies. Even new developers are lost in the Linux-limbo (it's not the dance) because of a massive lack of documentation.

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 2

flanque Member since:
2005-12-15

It's stupid that new people are expected to have such knowledge. They are new to the software for crying out loud.

Perhaps some people in the Linux community should get off their high horse, stop being asses and realise they too once didn't know anything about Linux.

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 4