[OS X TeX] FAQ or Archive

[Alain Schremmer]

Well, this seems rather final—which doesn't mean unanswerable.
I wonder, though, how many here read the "fine print". I, for one, 
rarely do.
Regards
--schremmer




On Jul 15, 2004, at 1:39 PM, Joseph C. Slater wrote:

>
> On Jul 15, 2004, at 12:54 PM, Alain Schremmer wrote:
>
>> "Historical information" is a bit disingenuous as, presumably, the 
>> point is to make it easier for "(beginning?) users".
>>
>> It is certainly the case that, technically, " "information, and 
>> LaTeX/TeX resources" covers it. "
>>
>> Yet, the fact is that the rest of us, at least, do respond to certain 
>> cues such as FAQ.
>
> Right, but the word "information" covers it well enough for everybody, 
> which is why it is there instead of FAQ.
>
>> It doesn's seem to cost much to anyone to add such cues as have been 
>> suggested and, if will help making it a bit easier and less 
>> frustrating to "challenged" people such as myself to learn La/teX, it 
>> would be cost well spent.
>>
>> As I have said before, and as I practice in my own corner, I don't 
>> care about much as long as it will help students learn. (Which is why 
>> I am learning the \*!%&//?@\\ LaTeX in the first place.) This might 
>> be the only case where I have not found much wrong with the end 
>> justifying the means. The fact is that, in learning situations, we 
>> allow far too many foreign considerations to interfere with the 
>> learning process to begin with.
>>
>> Respectfully,
>> Regards
>> --schremmer
>>
>
> My point was simply that in signing up for the list, the 'agreement' 
> that has been referred to includes the responsibility to consult the 
> posted resources. Now, people don't always do this. I've been guilty, 
> as have many, and there is a lot on the web site that, without 
> spending the time to search "mac tex FAQ" on Google (which, by the 
> way, sends you right to the FAQ), can easily go unnoticed. However, to 
> say that the signature in these email messages needs to be expanded 
> because it doesn't clearly tell how to find information is 
> disingenuous. The web pages are a place to put all of the information, 
> not the footer to each message.
>
> Some of us are better at digging for information than others. We all 
> understand that, and there are many on this list constantly biting 
> their tongues when questions about easily found information are 
> posted. However, if an individual fails to read the sign-up agreement 
> well enough to know even that there is information on the website 
> where they signed up, then no additional information in the footer of 
> the email will be helpful. This is not said to be unfriendly, but 
> simply practical. It was ignored before. The footer also says "look 
> here for information", but there is often not even the meekest attempt 
> to click on the link. That doesn't mean that the footer is wrong. It 
> simply means the reader will ignore what ever is posted. At some 
> point, the member of the mailing list has to live up to their 
> responsibility to at least read what their responsibilities are. 
> Surprisingly, the FAQ and it's link are right there.
>
> I'm sure Robert is quite embarrassed already by this, so we should let 
> this go. He messed up, as we all have. A little reminder of where to 
> find things is sufficient. Cues such as 'this is you responsibility' 
> and 'find information here' are plenty clear to a responsible person.
>
> Joe
>
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