FalconCircle  Some Linux People Are Really Rude - Why?  CircleFalcon
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 Okay... sometimes Windows people can be really rude, too.  The truth is we are all apt to be rude under certain circumstances. I don't want to pretend that this is acceptable behavior, but there is a prevailing mindset in the Linux community sometimes referred to as the hacker ethic.  The central credo in this mindset is one of "think for yourself".  Don't expect, just because you are a clueless noob, that someone will automatically bend over backward to help you out.  It just ain't so, I'm afraid.  (I do my best to help out my fellow newbies, though...)  Sometimes the adherents of this creed will come across as brusque, dismissive, or sarcastic in their demeanor.  Here's why...

Linux is a vast and complex creation of  Man's genius.  Because of this, persons with any competency in it will be pelted with questions like "Hey, can you help me get my <insert device> working in Linux?  It works just fine in Windows, so why can't I make it work in Linux, huh?"  These questions are usually put just this way, without any thought to the system environment or other aspects that have bearing on the problem (mainly because the beginner doesn't know).  Competent people are frequently busy people and will have more respect for someone who does their homework before asking such questions, as it shows some consonance with the aforementioned hacker ethic and a respect for the value of their time.

First, at least try to help yourself.  Go do some light reading in the man pages, the FAQs, or other documents relevant to the questions.  (Now, look... I know most of those documents are drier than Hell on a hot August night and more confusing than the labyrinth of Daedalus, but try anyway, you might learn something.)  State in your posted question that you have read the relevant FAQs, or How-Tos or man pages, and what it is you don't understand.  Before you ever post your question, go to a group like Linux Junior and look around on some of the message boards or the Plain English Tutorials there.  A vast amount of good info can be had if one knows where to look.  You might find your answer (and a certain sense of accomplishment) without posting a question at all.   www.google.com/linux is also a great resource.  I list some more resources at left in Frequently Visited Links and Other Linux Links, at left.

When you have exhausted your own resources, then ask away.  You'll not only gain more respect from your audience, but you'll have the righteousness of having tried for yourself first.  Then if someone's rude to you, just break out the Acme Blowtorch and let 'em have  it - or not...  and remember that, sometimes, no matter how hard you try, there's gonna be some @$$|-|0L3 out there who's looking for an easy target to help him through his own self-esteem issues the cheap way.  Shake the dust off  your shoes and go your way.
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