Quote Originally Posted by j.drake
If you don't like this position then flame away, I'm a lot thicker skinned than some of the linux techweenies around here. If you agree then lets get going on a windows migration exchange among windows knowledgable folks.

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2. Don't know how long you've been lurking at this site (well, actually I guess I do, because from your profile it looks like you joined less than a week ago), but I hope that you haven't gotten your prejudices about linux geeks here. I've been here about a year, now, and for the most part, I've found people here to be extremely helpful and patient. When they aren't patient, it's because the problem isn't described specifically enough to allow anyone to help. If you drew your perceptions somewhere else, give this site a chance. There's very little flaming here, and very little of the "RTFM" mentality.
I couldn't agree more. This is the most civilized forum I've seen. Most of the posters seem to know how to spell, or at least know how to use a spell-checker, and there always seems to be someone willing to try to help - if the question can be understood.

Quote Originally Posted by j.drake
3. As a new linux user from Windows, I WANTED help from experienced people. If Eadz desires to incorporate your suggestion into his site (and it is his site, after all) I would suggest, as someone in the middle, that experienced Linux users NOT be excluded from helping if they wish to, PROVIDED THAT they agree to do so in a way that doesn't exhibit the arrogance you describe. No MS or Windows bashing, for example. No "RTFM". No answers consisting simply of a link to the "How to ask intelligent questions" site. Frankly, I don't think that experienced Linux users with the arrogance you describe WANT to help people who don't want their help, and will be more than happy to stay away if the poster simply says so in the title of the post (e.g., no experienced replies, please). I really think that a newbie section makes a lot of sense, and the folks who are rabidly into Linux won't be annoyed by reading through posts that try their patience.

JD
Again I couldn't agree more, though it would be nice if previous questions and answers were catalogued so that someone who wants to answer a question can quickly find out if there is a relevant post, and link to it in his or her reply. I know, I know; that's what the FAQ is supposed to be for, but I've spent many a frustrating and fruitless hour searching through FAQs that don't seem to be in any order, with no way to find out if my question is in there except to read every single entry. I'm talking about an indexed database which includes every question posted in this forum, arranged and cross-referenced by topic, with links to what seem to be the clearest answers. Impossible dream? Maybe. Still it would make this forum infinitely better, don't you think?

I do want to thank everyone involved with this forum for being so helpful and and patient. You guys are the best.