(jeffa) 2Re: Writing answers for newbie questions

[jeffa]

Almost. I think a better way of elevating people into the world of full Perl enjoyment is to show them WHY they need that new construct or function. Otherwise, it's just more noise to those that aren't ready to receive higher knowledge.

Just showing is not really enough. If someone takes a brilliant one-liner and adds it to their program or application without knowing how it works, then that is really just black-box reuse.

But for God's sake, don't quit doing what you do! I think what cLive ;-) was getting at is we need all kinds of levels of answers. Remember, answers directed at the seeker of wisdom are read by many more potential lurkers, and while you may know the level of the seeker, you cannot know the levels of the unknown lurkers . . .

Jeff

R-R-R--R-R-R--R-R-R--R-R-R--R-R-R--
L-L--L-L--L-L--L-L--L-L--L-L--L-L--

[Abigail]

Almost. I think a better way of elevating people into the world of full Perl enjoyment is to show them WHY they need that new construct or function. Otherwise, it's just more noise to those that aren't ready to receive higher knowledge.

How would I know 1) they don't know the contruct(s) I might be using? 2) they aren't ready to receive higher knowledge?

I refuse to assume people are stupid. Nor do I believe spoon feeding leads to Nirvana. I will keep assuming people are interested enough in Perl that when they see something new, they will do some discovery themselves. I also believes that that is better for the people too - because by doing a little research yourself, you will find more new things, leading to ever more finds when exploring them. That will push the borders of their knowledge much further than spoonfeeding. It keeps Perl much more interesting, and it insults the intelligence of the other people less.

It's like going on vacation to an unknown city. It's no fun to go their using with a list saying where to turn left and right, which restaurants to visit, what to order, and how much to leave for a tip, than to just hear "that's an interesting city", and then go exploring yourself.

But then, perhaps I'm just an old gezer who hasn't been dumbed down by television.

-- Abigail, the television less.