Using Ubuntu absolves the user of personal responsibility?

[Gilles Gravier]

I would definitely go for approach #2 hoping that it will give the user 
the urge to do a "man mount" to learn more.

If too many times the same question appears, I would consider it FAQ 
material... but still go with answer 2, or a precise pointer to the FAQ 
item.

Gilles.

Michael T. Richter wrote:
> On Thu, 2006-03-08 at 09:17 -0400, Todd Slater wrote:
>> I read, with some sadness, the thread on mounting an ISO as a virtual
>> cd-rom. It appears that pointing someone to a web search or man page
>> is no longer considered a helpful response. Instead, we must reinvent
>> the wheel any time a basic question--with more than sufficient
>> documentation available--is asked. However, I don't think that the
>> whole Ubuntu humanity thing should be about spoon feeding, but rather
>> developing competent, self-efficacious users.
>>
>> When we absolve people of personal responsibility, we often create a
>> situation of dependence.  As shining examples of this, we might look
>> at the "health" care, social welfare, and educational systems of the
>> United States.
>>
>> The notion that it's not acceptable to help people to help themselves
>> is really ironic when you consider the African roots of Ubuntu.
>>
>> My $0.02.
>>     
>
> That's not the issue.  The issue is how should this pointing be 
> presented.  Some people -- well, one person in particular -- believes 
> in short, terse almost mocking responses.  Others believe in helpful 
> responses.  Compare and contrast:
>
> Approach #1: Google on "mount" and "ISO" you moron!
>
> Approach #2: "mount -t iso9660 -o loop <file>"
>
> Approach #3: "Go take a quick look at "man mount" and look at the -t 
> and -o options, paying attention specifically to the iso9660 type and 
> the loop option."
>
> Which of the three is most immediately helpful to the end-user?
> Which of the three is most long-term helpful to the end-user?
> Which of the three leaves the end-user with the impression that the 
> community consists of troglodytes?
>
> -- 
> *Michael T. Richter*
> /Email:/ ttmrichter at gmail.com, mtr1966 at hotpop.com
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> michael_richter_1966; /AIM:/ YanJiahua1966; /ICQ:/ 241960658; 
> /Jabber:/ mtr1966 at jabber.cn
>
> /"I find many of the machines of violence very attractive. Tanks, 
> airplanes, warships, especially aircraft carriers. And the German 
> U-boats, submarines."/ *--The Dalai Lama*
>

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