[ale] Ignorant Newbie

[Geoffrey]

Dennis Herrick wrote:

  > I'm not doing that -- I learn quite a bit from reading other post about
> things of which I know nothing. There's lots more I'd like to do in
> Linux, but usually I don't have the time to devote to it like I'd like
> to... So I end up not being able to do much of anything. Even stuff I've
> "figured out" last year won't help now because it's like I'm starting
> over every time I do something because I can't remember how I got the
> solution last time. Must be old age.

Yeah, it happens to me too.  That's why I have about 30 folders in my 
email.  One named Linux that probably has another 30 folders.

Anymore, I've started to document solutions that work for me.

> 
> 
>>You just need to 
>>realize that this is a community, not a helpdesk. Folks 
>>aren't "strictly business" 100% of the time. You don't "own" 
>>every thread you start.
>>
> 
> Of course not. I guess it's mostly that when I see lots of responses to
> my topic I get excited about getting things fixed, and then most of them
> aren't to my topic at all. One of the responses to my LCD post told me
> to try something that I had no idea how to do. But by then the thread
> had gone so far afield, I just threw up my hands (which is hard when
> you're typing) and moved on.

There's where you should have responded back noting that you needed 
further assistance as you didn't understand the solution.  I did just 
the same a while back.  I've been trying to get my dual head solution 
working again, with my new video card.  I was told to get the latest cvs 
code.  I've never used cvs, asked how one goes about it and received a 
short tutorial.

> 
> At this point I know enough about Linux to realize I'd like to know
> more, but to get more done and read more I'd have to give up other
> things (and that's the case for all of us, of course). I've told a Linux
> friend of mine that for me it seems that it really takes a special
> decoder ring to do most tasks, and I can't figure out how to get one
> with the time I have.

I guess it depends on what you want to do.  I set my mother-in-law up 
with a linux box for her email and internet browsing.  She's content 
with what she's got, and doesn't need anymore.  You, on the other hand 
want to do more and want to learn.  We all deal with the time issue 
though.  I often consider the time I spend learning how to do something 
with Linux.  Thing is, I would be worse off with a Microsoft solution. 
Whenever I get something new going, I always end up leveraging it 
further.  For example, I got festival working (text to speech engine). 
I then decided I wanted to use it to create audio caller id.  Sure, I 
had to learn something else, but it's working and fun.

> 
> And while I'm writing about being an ignorant newbie, I've had this
> machine in my office for a couple of years as a server and it works
> great and gives few problems. When I first installed it, I actually
> installed some stuff (you know, the tar, gunzip stuff) but I can't even
> install much of anything on it now because I can't remember how I did it
> last time. I havne't been able to dabble in it and accomplish anything.
> And again, that's the case with most stuff -- I'm a musician and the
> last day I didn't practice my instrument was July 6th, 1996. If I could
> be as devoted to linux I'd have ALL the decoder rings by now.
> 
> Well, it's time to quit linux stuff and get back to my instrument.... 

Well, we all make decisions I guess.  I've got a piano upstairs and a 
trumpet in the closet.  I love music and would love to get back to it, 
but I just can't seem to find the time, so I listen to others music.

Hurry back soon...

-- 
Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric at 3times25.net

I didn't have to buy my radio from a specific company to listen
to FM, why doesn't that apply to the Internet (anymore...)?


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