Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:48:20 +0200 From: Polytropon <freebsd@edvax.de> To: FreeBSD <freebsd-questions@freebsd.org> Cc: Jerry <freebsd.user@seibercom.net> Subject: Re: Easiest desktop BSD distro Message-ID: <20110330014820.84d5cf27.freebsd@edvax.de> In-Reply-To: <20110329192319.319dc40f@scorpio> References: <20110329144527.c009ba8b.jhsu802701@jasonhsu.com> <20318_1301430722_4D9241C2_20318_86_1_D9B37353831173459FDAA836D3B43499BD354C76@WADPMBXV0.waddell.com> <20110329204501.GH2281@libertas.local.camdensoftware.com> <0148AA41-E800-477F-94BF-2D27E864053F@adelaide.edu.au> <20110329212348.GI2281@libertas.local.camdensoftware.com> <20110329213936.GA84631@gizmo.acns.msu.edu> <20110330000007.99a555cf.freebsd@edvax.de> <20110329192319.319dc40f@scorpio>
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On Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:23:19 -0400, Jerry <freebsd.user@seibercom.net> wrote: > Your approach to the problem neglects to factor in each individual's own > level of expertise and desires. I can just speak from my individual point of view. I do NOT claim that my experiences and knowledge are universal. Therefore, my view is limited, which I honestly can admit. > Example: there are millions of cars and drivers in the world. Ah, people LOVE car analogies. :-) > Now, how > many of those drivers truly want to do more than drive their vehicle > from point A to point B unencumbered by the nuances of their vehicle? > Now, if an individual wants to learn to be a class 1 mechanic, that is > fine; however, requiring it to just operate a vehicle is absurd. Let me use your example and make a computer relation projection into that analogy: People who want to use a car to get from A to be do not have to be class 1 mechanics. However, they need to know the rules of the traffic, all the funny signs and the lights, the round thing in the middle, the 4 round rubber things, the things where you press with feet, and that special magic key that makes the engine start. Denying that those require LEARNING and PRACTICING is just denying reality. Example: Tech: Driver tech support. How may I serve you? Driver: This my car doesn't start. T: I see. What is the car's brand name, model, manufacture year? D: I don't know. I bought it to get to the market, why would I give a damn. T: Alright, alright, relax. Let's try to fix it without this information (sigh). Is there any fuel in the tank? D: Hmm Fuel, you say. How would I know? T: Look at the control panel. Where does the arrow point, E or F? D: Where is the control panel? T: It should be tight behind the steering wheel, if you are sitting in the driver's chair. D: Ah! I see... There are a lot of arrows here, which one should I look at? T: Look at the one which has E or F written near it. There might be a gas station drawn near it as well. D: Ahhh! I see. The arrow points at zero. T: What do you mean, zero? D: Yes! Right at zero. And there is also x1000 written near the arrow. Is that the model of the car? X-1000? T: (a deep sigh while rolling his eyes) No, that's not the fuel, that's the tachometer. It is supposed to point at zero if the car is not started. The fuel indicator is usually to the left and smaller that the tachometer, and it should have E written upon it, then a semicircle, then F. D: Ahhh. I see, I see! The arrow is between E and F. T: Excellent! Then we know at least that you have fuel. Now let's check the battery. Do you see the steering wheel? D: Yeah. T: Press right in the middle of it. D: (a loud beep) Hey! Is it supposed to do that? T: (rolls his eyes) Everything is allright, that's your honk. If it works, then the battery is fine. Now let's try to start the car. D: Well, damn, I'm telling you it doesn't start. That s why I'm calling, moron. T: (grits his teeth) Still, let s try again! Press the clutch pedal, press the brakes, and turn the key. D: Hey-hey! From the beginning. Where is this catch pedal? T: CLUTCH under the steering wheel on the left. Did you find it? D: Found it. T: Press it down as far as it goes. Good. Now, do you see two pedals under the steering wheel to the right? D: Yeah. T: The one on the left is the brake. Press it. Did you? D: Done. T: Now turn the key in the ignition. D: How would I do that, if I have both hands busy? T: Excuse me? D: I am pressing with the left hand on the catch, the right hand on the brake, how the hell am I supposed to turn the key? T: (chokes from laughter) Allright, let s try again, but this time, press the pedals with your feet. D: Feet? Is that possible? T: (still chokes from laughter) Yes, it is. D: Let's try. Hey, that's much easier! Why didn't you tell me right away? ... (some fuss is heard) Allright, I pressed it. T: Now turn the key in the ignition. D: Where is the ignition? T: In the base of the steering wheel, to the right. D: Hmmm. I have the hole, but there is no key there. T: Well, put it in. D: What? T: (loses his patience) The ignition key! D: How would I know which one is the ignition key? T: (grabs his head) It is usually the biggest key in the bunch. D: The bunch. T: Yes, where you keep the rest of the keys. D: Ahhh! Well, I lost it two days ago. So what, I need a key? T: (throws down the receiver) Beeeeep... D: Hello??? *** Original source here: http://www.techtales.com/tftechs.php?m=200905#9322 I hope it's okay that I put the full text on-list. I have added some punctuation. So you see, even in the "easy world of cars", there definitely IS something you need to know. It's the same with computers. No matter what you want to do with it, there IS something you need to learn, either BEFORE you use it, or WHILE you're using it. With some simple means, i. e. using the brain, reading, concluding, understanding, THINKING, you're fine in this regards - because it's all what is needed to advance to the required point. > When I was a kid, I use to tear down motors and rebuild them for > competition racing. Today, I won't even waste my time changing the oil > on my own car. I don't have the time to waste and I can easily afford > to have others who want to do that for a living attend to it. What you don't invest in time, you often invest in money, which is basically no problem. The more you are able AND WILLING to do on your own, maybe there's money to save. It always depends. I fully agree that just because I actually CAN do something, there is no requirement to DO it all the time. Things that I'm UNABLE to do have to be delegated to somebody who CAN do them. For example, certain things on my car are usually handed to a mechenic who can do far better than me, but I won't give him 50 Euro for exchanging a set of lightbulbs which is a two-minute work for me. :-) And finally... Why do so many people think that investing time in learning is wasted time? There is an example that I sometimes have to use in order to make customers understand why my services are "so expensive" (in fact, they are not expensive, but hey, you know...); I say: "You do NOT pay me for the 30 seconds fixing your problem that would cost you 10,000 Euro per hour if not fixed. You pay me because I am ABLE to fix your problem that fast. I am able to do so simply because of one thing: I wasted my youth, my health, and all my life LEARNING the simple and the less simple things that YOU, Sir, intendedly refused to learn." Some- times, people have to pay be the "big bucks" for reading an instruction page to them, or simply to press the "press here in case of error" marked button in case of an error. I'm lucky, not ALL customers are that... well... how would you say? Less interested in wasting time learning the few really simple things? :-) -- Polytropon Magdeburg, Germany Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0 Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ...
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