LinuxSA Mailing list archives

  From: Garth Clarkson <clarkson@lynx.net.au>
  To  : iorsa.nickm@lynx.net.au
  Date: Fri, 7 May 1999 01:20:32 +0930

RE: DNS/hostname & lUser problems..

The silent one speaks...	:o)

This is an issue which has also concerned me for some time, although as a
relative newbie myself (only 2 years with Linux), I can relate to those
frustrated newcomers. Maybe what needs to be done is give these brave souls
the tools to find out, rather than to isolate them or at the other extreme -
do it for them.

Though slightly rough in his approach, Toby had a real key in directing Neil
to the HOWTOS. But "Unix" is so different to someone who has  only used a
GUI that we need to tell them how to use more and cat and more to the point,
man, locate and apropos. Once armed with just a few of these basic tools
they will have a starting point and the wherewithall to find out. Though in
some cases this is to no avail, some man pages seem to be written in Martian
or something more obscure, take Sendmail/Procmail for example, how would
anyone who didn't already know a fair bit about it even hope to get a clue?

I have been using DOS since version 2.0, OS/2 since version 1.3 and every
version of windows ever released. (Even had a bit of fun with PC-MOS and a
few other early multitasking environments). One common thread is you need a
starting point.

We want people to become enthusiastic with Linux. It shows real promise. We
don't want to drive them away, but on the other hand we don't want to repeat
the documentation ad nauseum.

Please forgive the wordiness, I am really tired (WARNING: Linux use can lead
to sleep deprivation!)

-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Morrison [mailto:iorsa.nickm@lynx.net.au]
Sent: Thursday, 6 May 1999 12:58
To: 'Linux SA'
Subject: RE: DNS/hostname & lUser problems..


> Thanks Toby I accept your criticism as a new user, maybe I am not as
> intellectually gifted as you, But I would expect as Linux gains in
> popularity you are going to be irritated as hell at the stupid questions
> people ask. So may be an alternate mailing list is a good idea!

Hello :)

The main concern here, I think, and please correct me if I'm wrong, is that
some people are using this list as an easy way out, and not doing any of
their own research.  I don't think that it's a stab at anyone's gift of
intellectualism.

I most definitely agree that there should possibly be another, seperate,
LinuxSA mailing list, called NewbieLinuxsaSA, or something equally catchy,
which could accomodate the less technical questions.  Any questions that go
above the heads of NewbieLinuxSA could be refered to LinuxSA, which could be
renamed ProLinuxSA to fall in line with the new standard I've proposed.
(please laugh..)

It's a whole lot more satisfying answering a question that relates to your
approximate level of experience.. not that answering "simpler" questions is
not satisfying.. so a seperate list would probably benefit all round.

Hands up who agrees!  *sticks hand up*

Feel free to flame me relentlessly if you don't agree.  8|

My 2c.


--
Nick Morrison
iorsa.nickm@lynx.net.au



>
> >----------
> >From: 	Toby Corkindale[SMTP:tjcorkin@steadycom.com.au]
> >Sent: 	Thursday, 6 May 1999 11:03
> >To: 	Neil Ridley
> >Cc: 	'Linux SA'
> >Subject: 	Re: DNS/hostname & lUser problems..
> >
> >There's a nice set of HOWTOs for all this.
> >cd /usr/doc/HOWTO
> >
> >and check out the Networking-Overview, the NET-3-HOWTO, and the
> >PPP-HOWTO, and the ISP-Hookup-HOWTO. It's probably worth reading the
> >IPCHAINS-HOWTO as well.
> >
> >Just skim read through those, and you'll gain a massive understanding
> >about how everything works. If you ever have a question, there's usually
> >a howto or faq that has the answers.
> >
> >It'd be nice if the mailling list was used for things that aren't
> >already covered in the documentation. Tracking down bugs, fixes for said
> >bugs, generating new ideas, brainstorming over complex problems....
> >
> >Instead, the list these days seems to have become more like a "Help -
> >I've just installed linux, I don't understand Unix, and I'm too lazy to
> >read the masses of documentation, or at least figure it out for myself.
> >Can someone set my PC up for me so I can get online and use netscape and
> >read email?"
> >
> >This isn't particularly directed at you Neil, just some people on this
> >list in general.
> >Someone was even asking "how do I view a file and make it stop on every
> >page?" a few days ago.
> >'more' is a command that's fairly universal. If you don't even know
> >about it, maybe people should consider buying a book on the subject of
> >Unix. There are many fine ones out there.
> >Redhat even came with one in the boxed form, from what I recall.
> >
> >Linux people tend to be sharing caring folks, unlike MSCEs who usually
> >want upwards of $100/hr for their time. However, I'm sure even the most
> >dedicated Advocate will eventually tire of answering the same basic
> >questions over and over.
> >That's what FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions (including Answers)) are
> >there for.
> >HOWTO's are there for when you want to know HOW TO do something.
> >
> >Anyone want to write a auto-responder for the mailling list, that scans
> >thru the question-posts, and tried to determine what it is about, and
> >then locates appropriate HOWTO and FAQ s that are relevant, and replies
> >with a:
> >"
> >RTFM: /usr/doc/HOWTO/ISP-Hookup
> >RTFM: /usr/doc/FAQ/txt/PPP-FAQ
> >"
> >message?
> >
> >
> >
> >Now there's some flame bait for you.
> >
> >Yours,
> >Toby
> >
> >
> >Neil Ridley wrote:
> >>
> >> I have added an 10/100 Nic card to my PC to run a small
> Network (2 pc's)
> >> for learning purposes. However I need to be able also to connect to my
> >> ISP. I am logging into my ISP however there are DNS problems, cannot
> >> resolve addresses
> >> for http and for my email account. I use RedHat 5.2 and the Control
> >> Panel in X to configure my Network and PPP properties... I have called
> >> my PC ".SIS"  192.168.0.0 in Hosts and I also still have the loopback
> >> 172.0.0.1. entry in Hostnames. I also have the ipaddresss for my ISP
> >> with the Domain NAME www.blah.com.au..
> >>
> >> Is an ISP ipaddress compulsory when connecting to an ISP through Linux?
> >> Because when I log in through windows I dont require anything
> except for
> >> the phone number, username & password.
> >>
> >> Does some one know what is required here?
> >>
> >> Regards
> >>
> >> Neil Ridley..
> >>
> >> --
> >> Check out the LinuxSA web pages at http://www.linuxsa.org.au/
> >> To unsubscribe from the LinuxSA list:
> >>   mail linuxsa-request@linuxsa.org.au with "unsubscribe" as the subject
> >
> >--
> >..I started out with nothing...and I still have most of it left
> >
> >--
> >Check out the LinuxSA web pages at http://www.linuxsa.org.au/
> >To unsubscribe from the LinuxSA list:
> >  mail linuxsa-request@linuxsa.org.au with "unsubscribe" as the subject
> >
> >
>
> --
> Check out the LinuxSA web pages at http://www.linuxsa.org.au/
> To unsubscribe from the LinuxSA list:
>   mail linuxsa-request@linuxsa.org.au with "unsubscribe" as the subject
>


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