C interpreter in Lisp/scheme/python

[George Neuner]

On Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:10:16 +0200, francogrex <franco at grex.org>
wrote:

>Unfortunately many so-called experts in the field look down 
>on newbies and mistreat them (in any programming language forum),
>forgetting in the process that they were also at a certain time
>newbies until some gentle and nice enough teachers took the 
>trouble to educate them. 

I don't think it's accurate to say that [some] experts really "scorn"
newbies, but I do agree that newbies are occasionally mistreated.  

One thing newbies have to realize is that on Usenet you are quite
likely to be talking to people who were there at the beginning and, of
necessity, are largely self educated in whatever the subject matter
might be.  Many - I'd even say most - are happy to clarify
understanding and help with complicated problems, but there is a
general expectation that newbies have some basic research skills and
that they have tried to solve their problem before asking for help.

Unfortunately, there is a small percentage of people who think Usenet
and other online forums are for answering homework questions or for
digging out of a jam at work.  Getting help depends a lot on how the
question is asked: strident pleas for quick help or demands for an
answer are immediate red flags, but so are questions that begin with
"X is crap, why can't I do ..." and even seemingly polite questions
that are vague or unfocused (possibly indicating little or no thought
behind them) or posts which are directed to a large number of groups
(such as this thread we're in now).  

And, of course, in the language forums, drawing comparisons to
non-subject languages is generally considered rude except when done to
illustrate a relevant discussion point.  Introducing irrelevant
comparisons, deliberately proselytizing X in a Y group or doing a lot
of complaining about the subject language is bound to attract disdain.

As the Internet has grown, the absolute number of people in that
"small percentage" has grown as well.  A newbie can simply be unlucky
enough to ask a question at the wrong time.  If there has been a
recent rash of problem posts then experts may accidentally respond
negatively to a legitimate question.

Of course, there are cross-cultural issues too.  Many of the technical
groups are English-language.  English, even when polite, can seem
harsh and/or abrupt to non-native speakers.

On the whole, moderated groups are more conducive to helping newbies
because the moderator(s) filter obvious red flag posts.

And, finally, newbies themselves should realize that experts are
donating time to answer questions and do get frustrated answering the
same questions over and over.  They should not be offended by "cold"
responses that direct them to FAQs or that just give links to study
material.  Newbies who need hand-holding or warm welcoming responses
filled with detail should go find a tutor.


> ... you have the bad "professors" who are freaks 
>(probably they have a lot of problems at home, their wives 
>screwing all the males on the block, daughters drug addicts etc) 
>and want to take their hatred out on you,

Unquestionably, there are experts who need their dosages adjusted. But
the same can be said for some percentage of other users too.

OTOH, newbies often aren't in the position to know who is an expert
... obviously, anyone able to correctly answer their question knows
more about that specific issue.  That doesn't necessarily qualify the
responder as an "expert".  Some people get defensive at the edges of
their comfort zones.


Just some thoughts. YMMV.
George