Xref:	news2.mv.net comp.os.msdos.djgpp:7052
From:	Erik Max Francis <max AT alcyone DOT com>
Newsgroups:	comp.os.msdos.djgpp
Subject:	Re: yes there is a FAQ.. we know
Date:	Fri, 09 Aug 1996 22:47:28 -0700
Organization:	Alcyone Systems
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Message-ID:	<320C2270.407711A5@alcyone.com>
References:	<3207b3ed DOT 6620811 AT news DOT wolfe DOT net>
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To:	djgpp AT delorie DOT com
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slade AT wolfenet DOT com wrote:

> I've lurked in this group for some time now.  I find it a bit
> irritating that when a friend of mine asks for advice, he is instantly
> pounced upon by Eli 'Read the FAQ' Zaretskii.  Yes, it is useful
> reading and proper etiquette to refer to it before asking a question.

First of all, Eli has never just said, "Read the FAQ."  If that was all he
said, I could understand your objection.

In every such response that I've seen from Eli, he has stated the section and
subsection in which the answer to the poster's question is contained.

> However, it is also proper Usenet etiquette to avoid over-posting.

Not if the posts contain valuable information.  Eli's do.

> Eli, in the messages I downloaded today (slightly over 100), over 30
> came from you, with nearly half of those telling people to read the
> FAQ, quoting it like scripture from the Bible.  No offense, but chill
> out a little and give others a chance.

I don't get it.  You're objecting to Eli's posts because he's not giving the
long-winded answer, but instead giving a concise, short, and meaningful answer
in which he refers the poster to a well-defined resource, and pointing them to
the exact portion of the document which answers the question?

Guess why he's not posting the full answer?  _Because he's already written it
and put it into a FAQ!_  That's what FAQs are for.

> However, when I do
> need help, it would be nice to not have to wade through so many 'go
> read the FAQ' posts.

There's a simple solution:  If you don't think Eli's posts are worthwhile,
then don't read them -- either put him in your killfile or use willpower to
avoid reading them.  It's just that simple.

Yet again, Eli's posts are not "Read the FAQ."  They are.  "Get the FAQ.  Here
is where to get it.  Here is where to look in it for the answer you seek."

-- 
Erik Max Francis, &tSftDotIotE   http://www.alcyone.com/max/   max AT alcyone DOT com
San Jose, California   ICBM 37 20 07 N 121 53 38 W   R^4: the 4th R is respect
War's a game which were their subjects wise/Kings would not play at. -- Cowper

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