Re: DATAFILE?? now "RTFM"

On 10/20/05, Connor McDonald <mcdonald.connor_at_gmail.com> wrote:
> I have no problem with pasting a link to the documentation as a response,
> but I disagree vehemently with "RTFM" as a response
>
> "RTFM" has the subtext to the poster that they were either
>
> a) too lazy to look up the manuals
> b) too stupid to look up the manuals
>
> independent of whether or not that was the intention of your "rtfm"
> response. Its become far too emotive a term - the moment you see "RTFM" in
> a thread, you rarely see any further sensible or technical discussion follow
> it.
>
> Of course, maybe a poster IS a lazy sod, or has been swimming at the
> shallow end of the gene pool - that still does not make it a responders
> right to assert either. "RTFM" is a responders way of saying "I could
> answer your question but I choose not to make the effort".... which is far
> better handled by simply not replying at all.
>
> I'd hate to see Oracle-L degenerate into the farcical slanging match that
> comp.databases.oracle.server has become..

Connor,

People that post with some information worthy of a reproducible test case still attract some worthwhile replies on c.d.o.s.

(provided that they do not top post, Hans will reply).

I once spent 5 hours on a Sunday night assisting on a recovery with a sysadmin with little to no oracle experience. He got a complete recovery. A thank you was enough to make it worthwhile.

c.d.o.s is not a lost cause.

I will agree that a few posters dominate there that supply little or no useful information.
A few posters (like yourself) keep the forum worth checking out.

In general, if a poster gets one good reply out of ten that answers his/her question - isn't that good enough? If the poster dons the asbestos undergarments ahead of time ... no one gets hurt.

If I didn't have mail filters in place on this mailing list, I would unsubscribe.
The number of lazy-arsed posts here isn't exactly non-zero. Its large.

One can reply with a "nice" phrase where one indicates the manual where the poster should consult the appropriate documentation. One can also take the direct approach where the clue-by-four is wielded. Either may be appropriate, depending upon the circumstances.

As an author of a superb text, it seems to me that its your "job" to take the high road.

As as bastard dba from hell, I do not feel that obligation. I reply to questions that I find "interesting". If I think that I have expertise to lend in a situation when I have some time, I'll do so.
If the poster has done nothing, he/she can languish ... and learn.

Thanks to Mark for providing the (ESR) Eric Raymond page regarding posting "good" questions.

Paul

> Connor McDonald
> ===========================
> email: connor_mcdonald_at_yahoo.com
> web: http://www.oracledba.co.uk
>
> "Semper in excremento, sole profundum qui variat"

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