My $.02
I think Vernon speaks a great truth. I would rate myself maybe a 5 on knowledge of hobbit/xymon when placed on his scale. I try to answer questions when I can and am happy when I can help. However, in my shop, I'm the expert. I explain to people here from management to help desk guys how this software works. I get the kind of basic questions, answered by reading what's behind the help menu option, all the time.
I have posted questions here which have resulted in responses like RTFM or "Google is your friend." This is after I have searched the available documentation and this list's archives. The vast majority of the time, it is also after trying multiple adjustments to see if I can figure out a solution. Alas, we are all human. Sometimes we miss things, or don't understand the documentation as written. I appreciate when someone takes to the time to answer that question, despite it being documented.
I was born into an English speaking world and despite a couple years of German in school, don't speak any other language. I can't even imagine trying to digest and understand some of the complexity of this software using nothing but documentation in language I don't speak. So I have a great deal of sympathy for those faced with that prospect.
I confess that I have had bad reactions to some of the questions posted here. I understand the want to "slap down" those who wish to have things "handed to them on a silver platter." I have wanted to post "Hey buddy, do the basic work before posting!" However, this is not productive nor civil.
Vernon is right. Answer the questions you want. Ignore those you choose. And if a poster really bugs you, use an ignore rule to never see that person's posts again.
Just yesterday someone asked me why Henrik just gave his code away. Why didn't he keep it to himself and charge people to use it. That is what the Bill Gates of the world would have done. I can't speak for Henrik, but I'm glad he choose a different approach. As a result, many minds have made hobbit/xymon a better product. And if the price is reading a few "lame" questions, then it is a small price to pay.
.....Bruce
Bruce White Senior Enterprise Systems Engineer | Phone: 630-671-5169 | Fax: 630-893-1648 | bewhite at fellowes.com | http://www.fellowes.com/ Disclaimer: The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. Thank you. Fellowes, Inc. -----Original Message----- From: doctor at makelofine.org [mailto:doctor at makelofine.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 3:38 AM To: hobbit at hswn.dk Subject: Re: [hobbit] Sorry... I had to vent
Hi all,
I agree with Jerald, but I'd like to moderate his speechs. On my side, I sometime asked dummy questions, because I didn't know where to find the answers. Mailing list archive, Xymon UI help, man pages, FAQ & Tips on xymon homepage... Many sources of informations.
And as Maik said, we all are not english natural speechers. On my side, I don't have to much difficulties to understand, but it's not always true. So, I think 2 things can be done : -Having a central information source, and several language in it.
In order to centralize informations I think a wiki should be a good approach. We could paste all informations from UI help, manpages, and FAQ & Tips, then actualise them.
I don't have much free time, but I can spend some hours to translate all informations in french. I could be usefull to have german, and some asian language (japanese, chinese...). As I don't know any word of theses languages, I can't do it myself.
Regards, Damien
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