Re: Becoming a "Super User" (was Re: Teach files to AppleWorks Gs)

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

rubywand@aol.com wrote:
>Toby Reiter writes:
>
>>
>>.... You can give me the clearest information in the world about
>>the two formats, but unless you handed me the code, I doubt I could
>>create a workable program.
>>
>>.... part of the reason I am complaining is because I have no clear
>>idea of where to go (if I did, I wouldn't be asking this question). 
>>All this really entails is identifying intermediate sources of
>>information for those of us interested in increasing our knowledge so
>>that we don't become discouraged reading Apple's Hardware or Firmware >>References.
>>....
>
>
>     What you are talking about goes far beyond a few brilliantly
>written FAQ's and New User guides. Basically, you want a broader, more
>varied, more responsive 'support culture'. This is a significant challenge,
>since primary features of such a culture are 'a common interest' and
>participation in the 'leading edge' of knowledge and skills.

[snip]

>     Again, a critical feature in all of this is that experimenters
>were _current_ . They were part of an active culture. Today, there is no
>active culture supporting 70's style nuts & bolts hardware/software design
>and building activity.
>
>    Similarly, the many valuable development experiences of the early
>80's are, no longer, widely supported. It is not only that some group of
>advanced users has 'been there; done that', it is _computing_ which
>has been there and, now, moved onward.

I think it may be a little more complicated than that.  First, many of
the hackers, as you've pointed out, have moved on.  This creates a
situation where others who are just getting started into hacking often
end up annoying seasoned hackers with endless questions.  If you've
ever taught children, you'd know that it can be both annoying and
rewarding when the kids start asking you all kinds of questions that
[to you] sound simple.  I used to find it annoying, but after you've
seen how they soak up knowledge like a sponge, you get over that.
Hey, we were all once beginners and made mistakes.  That's how we learn.
I've found that once I kept that in mind, I no longer felt bugged when
they asked me questions.  I mean, it is easy to think one is so smart
because one possesses knowledge and others are asking you to explain.
Just think, however, in a decade or two that five year old may overtake
you.  :)

Second, it seems that some individuals are stiring up fights just for
the fun of it.  We've all probably done something like this some time
or other.

In the first group is Nate, Dave Young, Chris, and some others.  I can
understand why they could be annoyed sometimes, but (I believe) the
beginners don't mind if they don't answer.  Just don't spew out insults
either.  This way, let those who WANT to help the beginners do so.
That's not so much to ask.

In the second group falls Dr. Tom, Harold, and sometimes Nate.  They
seem to like to flame each other.  The best thing for us to do is
to avoid them.  Let them battle it out.  Without the input of the others
and left to themselves, their petty squabbles will quickly die out.

There is a third group, however.  These beginning, intermediate, and
some advanced users and hackers willing to help others and sometimes
ask for help.  I think here lies the support culture you were talking
about.  This culture isn't dead.  In fact, since the Apple II has been
abandoned by the mainstream, it has fallen back to being a hacker's
machine.  We're people who like to build things, modify things, learn
to solder or program.  We like to accelerate hardware and fix monitors.
We're happy to help each other.  We are often turned off by the flames
and are surprised we annoy the "seasoned" hackers.  We don't mean to
annoy, but if they don't like our questions, let them hold their peace.
All we ask is that they don't throw out insults.  We, this "third kind,"
are willing to support each other.  Marvin belongs here, based on your
willingness to help so do you, the guy from the Netherlands, etc.  I
think that a great number of us think the same.

Heck, so I don't accelerate my Zip the way the FAQ says (instead using
a custom made socket adapter to avoid soldering on the Zip).  So I try
to modify my AE board (trying to accelerate a PCT).  I don't care if I
don't do things by the rules, I like to hack things and share my
experiences.  I've found that there is often no one right way to do
things, so let's talk about it rather than flame.

>Rubywand

Sorry about this diatribe, but I feel that this outlines the main
problem.  It is funny that the Amiga community supports hackers more
than the Apple II community, seeing that they are younger (and there
are quite a few cross IIGS/Amiga fans).  They don't paint things in
black and white!

"They don't sell clocks for the A1200 anymore."
"I hacked an Apple II's No-slot clock to work in the Amiga..."
"I didn't know you could do that?"

(In csa2, I fear the dialog would be: "NO, you CAN'T get a clock for
the A1200 anymore, PERIOD!  See the FAQ.")

-Scott G.