LinuxQuestions.org - How to diagnose problems???

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How to diagnose problems???

Hi,

I like to provide the following to a new user or errant poster;

Quote:

I suggest that you look at 'How to Ask Questions the Smart Way' so in the future your queries provide information that will aid us in diagnosis of the problem/query.   

If the poster(s) would just read the above link for understanding and then somewhat follow the information. We would have a much easier session leading to a solution to the query/problem.

I know this can be caused by seasonal and even financial stress from the global economy. But we are just volunteers and the posters seem as if they deserve/demand service due. Their tone is such!

It's getting where one must reach out and pull the information from a poster. Not all the time but for the last few months it has gotten worse.
Sometimes the poster just doesn't know what or where to get the information. This can be solved by our feedback. But when that poster is given the information or technique to pull/cull the information or correct the problem then tries to self diagnose and then says it did not have such and such. Instead of posting the damn output or perform the suggested technique. Then post back the results of suggested procedure. Feedback!

I can give a poster the information verbatim and they just seem to do the opposite. Good trouble shooting requires some detail from a poster. Not, well it did not do that before or it doesn't show a thing with 'ifconfig' when you gave 'ifconfig -a'. Just post the requested information or perform the task(s) as suggested.

Even if I provide the definition, reference or procedure to what i am presenting. These people just seem to go off on a tangent and do the opposite.

I am getting a little impatient right now. My meds are not working and the pain is just not tolerable. Therefore my responses reflect the state and tries my patience.

I've been in academia long enough to see the trend for this problem. But it's a world problem now, not just the USA. And to change something like this requires that a format be used but that puts another stumbling block for everybody. Spoon feeding anyone?

We do communicate with peoples from all over the world and things can be varied by translation drops or mixed characteristics. But even if we as helpers break things down to the simplest form/terms the user tendency is to omit or perform out of order. That is unless you can specify the solution in an ordered manner and even then things seem to happen.

Let's not forget paranoia, whole set of things there for a different rant/post.

“Politeness goes far, yet costs nothing.”- Samuel Smiles

“Manners must adorn knowledge and smooth its way through the world” -Chesterfield

Yet another beautiful quote:

"Knowledge is of two kinds. We Know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it."- Samuel Johnson
:hattip:

Meds? Pain?

Me, I don't worry about it much. If I ask the OP a question and OP does not answer it, one of two things happens. If I'm in a good mood and not rushed, I'll sometimes ask the question again, with a rather abrupt comment about not liking to repeat myself. If I'm either rushed or not in a good mood, I just move on and ignore the thread from then on.

You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. If they don't answer diagnostic questions and won't take a structured approach when they are asked to, then they don't want to be helped.

*shrug* Works for me.

Quote:

You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. If they don't answer diagnostic questions and won't take a structured approach when they are asked to, then they don't want to be helped.

*shrug* Works for me.

PSBCAK Lullzzz

*Problem Stands Between Chair And Keyboard... :D

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiml8 (Post 4183998)

Meds? Pain?

Yes, legal prescriptions. :)
Pain is from injuries when a 86yr old lady driving a big Buick hit the driver side door as I was getting into my little truck (S10). Broken left foot/ankle, lumbar damage and damaged spinal fusions. Getting more scans tomorrow. I'll glow as bright as the Christmas tree. :) Everyone says I'm lucky, she could have cut me in two if she had been few seconds earlier. :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiml8 (Post 4183998)

Me, I don't worry about it much. If I ask the OP a question and OP does not answer it, one of two things happens. If I'm in a good mood and not rushed, I'll sometimes ask the question again, with a rather abrupt comment about not liking to repeat myself. If I'm either rushed or not in a good mood, I just move on and ignore the thread from then on.

You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. If they don't answer diagnostic questions and won't take a structured approach when they are asked to, then they don't want to be helped.

*shrug* Works for me.

I tend to operate the same, somewhat. Just that I don't like wasting time, especially when invested to no end. It's been happening a lot lately.

Yes, I'm a little flustered at the moment.
:hattip:

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexvader (Post 4184030)

PSBCAK Lullzzz

*Problem Stands Between Chair And Keyboard... :D

I usually sit! :)

But I do get the point and agree but you would think that same person would want to come to a solution. Especially if they don't have a clue.
:hattip:

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebuck (Post 4184114)

Sorry to hear that. I know it's just text and probably doesn't impact you too much, but I hope you feel better soon; your a great contributor and LQ wouldn't be the same without you! Get well soon! :)

Hi,

Thanks!

:hattip:

Quote:

Originally Posted by leopard (Post 4184129)

++1 :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebuck (Post 4184114)

Hi,

Yes, legal prescriptions. :)
Pain is from injuries when a 86yr old lady driving a big Buick hit the driver side door as I was getting into my little truck (S10). Broken left foot/ankle, lumbar damage and damaged spinal fusions. Getting more scans tomorrow. I'll glow as bright as the Christmas tree. :) Everyone says I'm lucky, she could have cut me in two if she had been few seconds earlier. :(
:hattip:

Ooouucchhhhhh!

I'm glad you weren't hurt a lot worse. You very very easily could have been.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leopard (Post 4184129)

++1

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebuck (Post 4183914)

[SIZE=2
It's getting where one must reach out and pull the information from a poster. Not all the time but for the last few months it has gotten worse.
Sometimes the poster just doesn't know what or where to get the information. This can be solved by our feedback. But when that poster is given the information or technique to pull/cull the information or correct the problem then tries to self diagnose and then says it did not have such and such. Instead of posting the damn output or perform the suggested technique. Then post back the results of suggested procedure. Feedback!

I can give a poster the information verbatim and they just seem to do the opposite. Good trouble shooting requires some detail from a poster. Not, well it did not do that before or it doesn't show a thing with 'ifconfig' when you gave 'ifconfig -a'. Just post the requested information or perform the task(s) as suggested.[/SIZE]

Even if I provide the definition, reference or procedure to what i am presenting. These people just seem to go off on a tangent and do the opposite.

I am getting a little impatient right now. My meds are not working and the pain is just not tolerable. Therefore my responses reflect the state and tries my patience. [SIZE=2]

You're right, but I don't bother myself with these things. I mean, if the OP is interested in solving their problem they will usually post the right info in due time, if not, they are not really interested so I'm not either. I can't force people to post info or to solve their own problems, and I'm not going to. Sometimes, I just make blind recommendations as to the most probable/common solution and sometimes it just works, other times it doesn't.

Anyway, hope you get better. Maybe ask them for better/different medication. Some medication works better for some and not as good for some, so far there is no personalized medicine ... but in the future there may be.

And get well soon from me too, Gary.

Hi,

Thanks guys!

I've been a little flustered with all that's going on and this problem has added more. Your support is really appreciated.

I've never been one that could just turn my back to someone. Especially when it comes to educating someone that has reached out for help. And then to have that person to repeatedly continue on a path that will lead them astray or cause undo harm or even misgivings about a situation.

I know that at times my literal position(s) can drive some to drink. :) But that's the way I am.

My participation here at LQ has helped both myself and others. You guys have led my path somewhat with lite banter and helping me to lighten up a bit. Very much appreciated!

This really wasn't intended to be a rant. It's been on my mind quite a bit. In a closed LAB/classroom I would know how to handle a situation of this type. Insulation from parties on the net does have advantages but this is not one of them. I should shrug it off as some have suggested. Maybe discern or cull more out of the participant(s) at the time in order to provide a extended or direct reply that will result in a positive result for all. It will work out to the positive.

Again, Thanks!

“Man is a piece of the universe made alive.”- Emerson

My attitude may be different from most because I never ask someone if they need help (or very very rarely). It just doesn't work well, because they won't appreciate it. They have to ask for help, that way they will appreciate it more and they will not blame you if your help was not helpful (which has happened).

I know this may be considered not nice by some, but I think it's the best way to do things. I have never turned down helping someone if they asked for it first.