Questions without answers

PAAAAAR%CALSTATE.BITNET at cunyvm.cuny.edu PAAAAAR%CALSTATE.BITNET at cunyvm.cuny.edu
Fri Jun 17 17:55:46 AEST 1988


    (Root Boy) Jim Cottrell    <rbj at icst-cmr.arpa> writes
>What I object to is unix-wizard class questions being asked in info-unix.

It is possible for a beginner to ask a question that can only be answered by
a wizard, and a novice by definition can not know that the question demands
a wizardly answer, rather than the classic - "No you can't recover a 'rm'ed..."
type of answer.
In fact *only* a wizard can state with certainty that something is "impossible".

A systems solution is to embed answers to the most repetitive question inside
the UNIX system itself - but how many implementers will be listening to
the gripes and groans of novices....

Now, Once upon a time in a Lab a long way from here...they had a policy of
listening to user's and tuning the commands as a result...

Perhaps all UNIX systems administrater's should be forced to read
INFO-UNIX or comp.unix.questions?:-)
Perhaps a smallish expert system could bounce back instant answers to
questions that fit repetitive patterns.
Dick Botting
PAAAAAR at CCS.CSUSCC.CALSTATE(doc-dick)
paaaaar at calstate.bitnet
PAAAAAR%CALSTATE.BITNET@{depends on the phase of the moon}.EDU
Dept Comp Sci., CSUSB, 5500 State Univ Pkway, San Bernardino CA 92407
Disclaimer: I am an only an egg



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