Newbie include question

On Sat, 04 Oct 2003 07:32:11 +0000, Duane Phillips wrote:
<snip!>
> It isn't a requirement of usenet to treat someone like an idiot.
>
>> Incidentally if everyone would include error checking on their mysql
>> functions, half the "what's wrong with..." posts here would go away.
<snip!>
> ~Duane Phillips.

I feel the need to but in here and point out that Tom, although short and
concise in response, really did not seem to be treating Duane like an
idiot.

Unfortunately, the overly techinical and detail-oriented nature of
programming of any kind makes programmers a little more technical,
detail-oriented, and *cold* sounding than normal people. If you browse
*most* of the programming or computer-oriented newsgroups, you will see
what I mean. (Take comp.lang.perl, for example!)

The point being that just because no apparent tact was being used doesn't
mean that he was treating you like an idiot.

I can appreciate feeling that way because I have received that treatment
many times. (Mostly from comp.lang.perl, a group frequented by
particularly socially awkward folks). I have come to realize that most
people are just trying to be helpful.

there are even FAQs on this topic, take this for example:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

(Frankly I find ESR to be kinda dickish about all this sort of stuff, but
the FAQ makes some good points.)

Allright, there you have it. My unrequested input. Take it or leave it.

later....!
--
Jeffrey D. Silverman | jeffrey AT jhu DOT edu
Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD
Website | http://www.wse.jhu.edu/newtnotes/

Jeffrey Silverman wrote:

> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Great read. Thank you for posting this URL Jeffrey.

"Describe the goal, not the step" is an *essential* admonition,
despite not always being spelt out in netiquette guides.

Do you think fuzzy baby seals are important?

--
Jock