What is a newbie? (Was Re: Assistance for newbies?)

[Jeff Vian]

On Thu, 2004-07-08 at 12:45, David Maier wrote:
> Rodolfo J. Paiz wrote:
> 
> > At 03:06 PM 7/7/2004, Geoffrey Leach wrote:
> >
> >> My question to the list is this: When is a newbie no longer a newbie?
> >
> >
> > Hmm. Food for thought here... a newbie is no longer a newbie when:
> >
> >         1. He/she understands that Linux is in some ways far better 
> > than Windows and in some ways nowhere near Windows and has chosen to 
> > accept that (while working to improve it, of course). He/she has a 
> > clue as to why those differences exist.
> >
> >         2. He (the "she" is assumed) can solve some of his own 
> > problems by reference to /usr/share/doc, Google, LDP, MARC archives, etc.
> >
> >         3. He has learned how to seek help effectively on mailing 
> > lists, fora, or IRC when self-help fails to provide results. This is 
> > probably equal parts netiquette, smart questions, and common sense 
> > plus common courtesy.
> >
> >         4. He has managed to successfully accomplish some of his core 
> > tasks using Linux. That is, Linux is now an actually useful tool to 
> > him, not just a neat curiosity item.
> >
> > How's that for a starter list?
> >
> 
> Well, this is interesting, because, according to your list I'm half and
> half.  Guess I'm either a "new" or a "bie."  I can install Linux, but I
> haven't a clue about compiling the kernel.  Not even sure why I'd want
> to.  I can install an rpm package, if I spend 30 minutes with the man
> page, but I don't know what to do with a source file or how to do
> whatever you do to a tarball.  My ability to make effective use of Linux
> is limited by these walls I keep butting into.  I'd really be
> disinclined to label myself a non-newbie because I'd feel like a fool
> otherwise.  I'm guaranteed to ask a very newbie like question at any
> moment.  Like, "What's a grep?"
> 
> I always figured a non-newbie was someone who has  a fairly versatile
> grasp of the whole package, i.e., has a fairly good handle on the big
> picture so that s/he has a pretty good base from which to diagnose
> failures or otherwise to figure things out.  Maybe I try to make the
> class so large that you won't get angry at me for asking something
> which, according to your judgment, I darn well ought to know....  Would
> it be useful to create an intermediate category of earnest and
> well-intentioned adopters who have gaping holes in their grasp of the
> fundamental concepts?   A "Wannabie?"
> 

A newbie is still a newbie after years if they have certain areas they
lack experience in.  Some people learn certain things very well and are
experts there, but are still sadly lacking on other areas and need
assistance there.

I personally am very experienced, but with the constant changes as Linux
continues to grow/improve, even those areas that I used to know well
require constant tweaking to keep knowledge abreast of the changes.

No one is ever expert enough in all areas to avoid getting blindsided at
times with the changes in our world.

Cheers, and 'keep on trucking'.

Jeff