Comments on: Advice for IRC Newbies http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/ Linux. GNU. Freedom. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:05:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7-RC1 hourly 1 By: Jason http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-50347 Jason Mon, 07 May 2007 21:42:34 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-50347 The real irony here is that "Pierrot Somepeople" typed out his entire post without abbreviations, sans the two in the example (which was totally necessary of course). The real irony here is that “Pierrot Somepeople” typed out his entire post without abbreviations, sans the two in the example (which was totally necessary of course).

]]> By: TuxGirl http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-50302 TuxGirl Mon, 07 May 2007 15:16:34 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-50302 On the google issue: If I know nothing about the person asking the question (ie, it's their first question), i'll usually try to help them, etc. If they've been at the channel a lot, and regularly ask questions that are answered in the first result from a google search, i will often get annoyed enough to make a smart-alecky comment to them about it. Honestly, if you've googled, but are still lost, and come to an IRC channel, feel free to say "i've googled, and i found , but i don't understand it, and i'm not sure if it's actually the answer to my question" or something to that effect. it shows that you actually put some effort into trying to solve the problem yourself *and* it gives me (or whoever is helping you) a jumping-off point for helping with your problem (we can figure out what's confusing you, and explain that, which will likely be more helpful than us repeating the info in the website, and you still being confused.) I do still like :) and lol, but other than that... :) ~TuxGirl On the google issue:
If I know nothing about the person asking the question (ie, it’s their first question), i’ll usually try to help them, etc. If they’ve been at the channel a lot, and regularly ask questions that are answered in the first result from a google search, i will often get annoyed enough to make a smart-alecky comment to them about it.

Honestly, if you’ve googled, but are still lost, and come to an IRC channel, feel free to say “i’ve googled, and i found , but i don’t understand it, and i’m not sure if it’s actually the answer to my question” or something to that effect. it shows that you actually put some effort into trying to solve the problem yourself *and* it gives me (or whoever is helping you) a jumping-off point for helping with your problem (we can figure out what’s confusing you, and explain that, which will likely be more helpful than us repeating the info in the website, and you still being confused.)

I do still like :) and lol, but other than that… :)

~TuxGirl

]]> By: Ubuntu | Freddy Martinez: More IRC tips http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49707 Ubuntu | Freddy Martinez: More IRC tips Thu, 03 May 2007 22:50:35 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49707 [...] response to Aaron’s post about using IRC, I have a more tips about asking for help on [...] [...] response to Aaron’s post about using IRC, I have a more tips about asking for help on [...]

]]> By: Peter http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49671 Peter Thu, 03 May 2007 15:32:29 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49671 omg, my Java tutor winked at me <i>in real life</i><i> the other day, shortly after making a sarcastic comment. I didn't realise he was coming onto me. I guess I should stop going to those classes, eh?</i> omg, my Java tutor winked at me in real life the other day, shortly after making a sarcastic comment. I didn’t realise he was coming onto me. I guess I should stop going to those classes, eh?

]]> By: Stoffe http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49501 Stoffe Wed, 02 May 2007 14:37:00 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49501 I've seen people use winks in messages on IRC or whatever probably every day for many years, and *never* have the context been such that it has meant "sexy". It means irony, or "just kidding". To everyone. It might mean something else to you, but you may also be alone in the world in this perception. So no, we will all keep on using it as we have done, because it *enhances* communication, not the other way around. Otherwise, pretty good post for the most part. I’ve seen people use winks in messages on IRC or whatever probably every day for many years, and *never* have the context been such that it has meant “sexy”. It means irony, or “just kidding”. To everyone.

It might mean something else to you, but you may also be alone in the world in this perception. So no, we will all keep on using it as we have done, because it *enhances* communication, not the other way around.

Otherwise, pretty good post for the most part.

]]> By: Aaron http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49499 Aaron Wed, 02 May 2007 13:21:32 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49499 Sandy- I'm with you. People who constantly use smilies in their text, does get annoying. Seveas- Thanks. You're more sexy. beza1e1- And that's the problem with chatting on a computer over the 'Net. People don't know exactly or can't be too sure. So, the wink says to me that you find me attractive, even if you are trying to be funny. :) is just safer. Colin- Good call. Right on the money. Stephen- Again, just because I'm asking a question in the channel doesn't mean that I don't know how to Google. There are other resources besides Google for seeking out help, and if your time as a developer is too precious to help anyone in a support channel, then don't hang out there. If IRC is the first place I turn for support, and I receive the automated Google response, I'll have some fun at your expense. Raideiin- I know that's not what you're using the wink for, but that's how it comes across to many. It's hard to convey tone in IRC, so using text and characters to minimize confusion is best. Sandy- I’m with you. People who constantly use smilies in their text, does get annoying.

Seveas- Thanks. You’re more sexy.

beza1e1- And that’s the problem with chatting on a computer over the ‘Net. People don’t know exactly or can’t be too sure. So, the wink says to me that you find me attractive, even if you are trying to be funny. :) is just safer.

Colin- Good call. Right on the money.

Stephen- Again, just because I’m asking a question in the channel doesn’t mean that I don’t know how to Google. There are other resources besides Google for seeking out help, and if your time as a developer is too precious to help anyone in a support channel, then don’t hang out there. If IRC is the first place I turn for support, and I receive the automated Google response, I’ll have some fun at your expense.

Raideiin- I know that’s not what you’re using the wink for, but that’s how it comes across to many. It’s hard to convey tone in IRC, so using text and characters to minimize confusion is best.

]]> By: Raideiin http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49488 Raideiin Wed, 02 May 2007 10:23:00 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49488 <blockquote>"Something that annoys *me* is asking questions that are answered clearly on the project website or with a few google queries."</blockquote> It depends on what do you think it's understandable. I'm a newie and very often I've problems even to understand some instructions. That's why I'm using IRC, and that's why I hate when someone tell me to google it. If I'm choosing IRC it's not because I'm lazy, but because I need an help I can't receive from google. And for the wink issue: I never use it to say "you're sexy", maybe this is a meaning the wink symbol has in English... we use it often in Italian when we say something funny, or to say "take it easy" when we say something potentially misunderstandable for the receiver. So please don't be too strict with this rules, for me IRC is a common place, and I speak there as if I were speaking with other "normal" people... ;)

“Something that annoys *me* is asking questions that are answered clearly on the project website or with a few google queries.”

It depends on what do you think it’s understandable. I’m a newie and very often I’ve problems even to understand some instructions. That’s why I’m using IRC, and that’s why I hate when someone tell me to google it. If I’m choosing IRC it’s not because I’m lazy, but because I need an help I can’t receive from google.

And for the wink issue: I never use it to say “you’re sexy”, maybe this is a meaning the wink symbol has in English… we use it often in Italian when we say something funny, or to say “take it easy” when we say something potentially misunderstandable for the receiver.

So please don’t be too strict with this rules, for me IRC is a common place, and I speak there as if I were speaking with other “normal” people… ;)

]]> By: Stephen Weeks http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49475 Stephen Weeks Wed, 02 May 2007 08:30:02 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49475 I disagree with your last item. The majority of the times I've responded to a question with "ask google", I've had the answer right in front of me on the first or second page of my first or second google query. If I can find it that quickly, then I don't know of any good reasons in general why they could have done the same, and if I can teach someone to ask google themselves instead of asking others to do it for them, then I've saved the time of countless other people later on who won't have to deal with trivial questions. Something that annoys *me* is asking questions that are answered clearly on the project website or with a few google queries. I admit that I might be missing something here. If you can tell me why it's better to waste the time of half-a-dozen developers on IRC than doing a couple of minutes of research yourself first, I'd be glad to hear it. ;) I disagree with your last item.
The majority of the times I’ve responded to a question with “ask google”, I’ve had the answer right in front of me on the first or second page of my first or second google query. If I can find it that quickly, then I don’t know of any good reasons in general why they could have done the same, and if I can teach someone to ask google themselves instead of asking others to do it for them, then I’ve saved the time of countless other people later on who won’t have to deal with trivial questions.

Something that annoys *me* is asking questions that are answered clearly on the project website or with a few google queries.

I admit that I might be missing something here. If you can tell me why it’s better to waste the time of half-a-dozen developers on IRC than doing a couple of minutes of research yourself first, I’d be glad to hear it. ;)

]]> By: Colin Watson http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49473 Colin Watson Wed, 02 May 2007 08:02:04 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49473 Corollary to "Avoid fly-bys": Don't start complaining along the lines of "oh well I guess nobody's listening to me" if nobody answers you within your desired amount of time. The people you most want to answer your question are often pretty busy and only check IRC once in a while. Corollary to “Avoid fly-bys”: Don’t start complaining along the lines of “oh well I guess nobody’s listening to me” if nobody answers you within your desired amount of time. The people you most want to answer your question are often pretty busy and only check IRC once in a while.

]]> By: beza1e1 http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49467 beza1e1 Wed, 02 May 2007 07:25:10 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49467 "Winking" does have a different meaning for me. It's "this is supposed to be funny, so don't take it too seriously". I use it all the time, because people misunderstand me without "winking". Irony doesn't work that well without eye contact. “Winking” does have a different meaning for me. It’s “this is supposed to be funny, so don’t take it too seriously”.

I use it all the time, because people misunderstand me without “winking”. Irony doesn’t work that well without eye contact.

]]> By: Seveas http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49466 Seveas Wed, 02 May 2007 06:17:03 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49466 But you are sexy ;) But you are sexy ;)

]]> By: Daryl http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49458 Daryl Wed, 02 May 2007 05:16:27 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49458 Thanks, I know IRC is a great resource but I hesitate to use it other than lurking because I don't know the edicate. I'm a little more prepared now. Thanks, I know IRC is a great resource but I hesitate to use it other than lurking because I don’t know the edicate. I’m a little more prepared now.

]]> By: Sandy Armstrong http://pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49452 Sandy Armstrong Wed, 02 May 2007 04:42:47 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/05/01/advice-for-irc-newbies/#comment-49452 I still think winking is a pleasant and disarming gesture. ;-) I don't like people who smile all the time...it's insipid. :-) Nice post, though...I was just thinking a lot of the same things. Specifically, I get really sad when people do fly-bys when we could have easily answered their question if they had lurked a little or sent an email to the list. I still think winking is a pleasant and disarming gesture. ;-)

I don’t like people who smile all the time…it’s insipid. :-)

Nice post, though…I was just thinking a lot of the same things. Specifically, I get really sad when people do fly-bys when we could have easily answered their question if they had lurked a little or sent an email to the list.

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