[Asterisk-Users] Re: Re: Do people actually answer questions here?

[Randy Bush]

>   Normally I wouldn't respond to such an ignorant thread, but this time I
> just couldn't resist. As someone who knew absolutely nothing about * a
> number of months ago, I have to say that I was able to install and configure
> * the first time in only a matter of hours using nothing more than the
> information that was available online (either in the wiki or through google
> searches). Yes, some of the * configuration files can seem daunting at first
> (it is a steep learning curve), but once you get started and take the time
> to actually read the configuration files and learn how they actually work
> the configuration is really not that bad. There have been a few times where
> I found myself stuck and I found that if I asked a clear, intelligent
> question either in this list or on IRC, that I would get a clear,
> intelligent answer.
> 
>   My suggestion to you is, instead of complaining, if you have a problem
> search for an answer, if you still can't find one, try IRC, if no one there
> is able to help you out, post a question here. I think you will find that if
> you continue to search for the answer on your own though, you will end up
> figuring your problem out without help from anyone else.

it is amusing that the people complaining about others not reading
the archives etc., seem unable/unwilling to actually read the mail
to which they are responding.

i did not ask a question.  read that again.  i did not ask a
question.

i did triy to suggest that some of the reasons that there were so
many questions were the complexity of document navigation.

i also suggest that

  o there will always be a lot of newbie questions

  o X% of newbies will not check the docs even if
    they are simple and eloquent

  o if you're burned out and don't want to answer
    their questions, look for the D key over at the
    left hand side of your keyboard

  o flaming folk will not get them to do better
    research; it will get them to use worse products

  o if you have a bit of patience, instead of saying
    "use the effing wiki, idiot," you might try "try
    the following search strategy in the wiki"

  o i.e., as the navigational tools are not up to the
    complexity, maybe teach navigation

randy