Using Ubuntu absolves the user of personal responsibility?

[Alexander Skwar]

Michael T. Richter <ttmrichter at gmail.com>:

> 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.

Yes, it is.

> The issue is how should this pointing be 
> presented.  Some people -- well, one person in particular -- believes in
> short, terse almost mocking responses. 

Who?

> Others believe in helpful 
> responses.  Compare and contrast:
> 
> Approach #1: Google on "mount" and "ISO" you moron!

Who did that?

> Approach #2: "mount -t iso9660 -o loop <file>"

That's a *VERY* bad approach, as has been explained before.

> 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."

That's more or less what I did.

> Which of the three is most immediately helpful to the end-user?

#3

> Which of the three is most long-term helpful to the end-user?

#1

> Which of the three leaves the end-user with the impression that the
> community consists of troglodytes?

#2

Alexander Skwar
-- 
"I love every living creature." -Leela 
"Even me?" -Fry 
"As a friend." -Leela