18.1. Newsgroups and Mailing Lists
This guide cannot teach you everything about Linux. There
just isn't enough space. It is almost inevitable that at some point
you will find something you need to do, that isn't covered in
this (or any other) document at the LDP.
One of the nicest things about Linux is the large number of forums
devoted to it. There are forums relating to almost all facets of
Linux ranging from newbie FAQs to in depth kernel development issues.
To receive the most from them, there are a few things you can do.
18.1.1. Finding The Right Forum
The first thing to do is to find an appropriate forum. There are many
newsgroups and mailing lists devoted to Linux, so try to find and use
the one which most closely matches your question. For example, there
isn't much point in you asking a question about sendmail in a forum
devoted to Linux kernel development. At best the people there will
think you are stupid and you will get few responses, at worst you may
receive lots of highly insulting replies (flames). A quick look
through the newsgroups available finds comp.mail.sendmail, which
looks like an appropriate place to ask a sendmail question. Your news
client probably has a list of the newsgroups available to you, but if
not then a full list of newsgroups is available at https://groups.google.com/groups?group=*.
18.1.2. Before You Post
Now that you have found your appropriate forum, you may think you are
ready to post your question. Stop. You aren't ready yet. Have you already
looked for the answer yourself? There are a huge number of HOWTOs and
FAQs available, if any of them relate to the thing you are having a
problem with then read them first. Even if they
don't contain the answer to your problem, what they will do is give you a
better understanding of the subject area, and that understanding will
allow you to ask a more informed and sensible question. There are also archives
of newsgroups and mailing lists and it is entirely possible that your
question has been asked and answered previously. https://www.google.com or a similar
search engine should be something you try before
posting a question.
18.1.3. Writing Your Post
Okay, you have found your appropriate forum, you have read the
relevant HOWTOs and FAQs, you have searched the web, but you still
have not found the answer you need. Now you can start writing your post.
It is always a good idea to make it clear that you already have read
up on the subject by saying something like ``I have read the
Winmodem-HOWTO and the PPP FAQ, but neither contained what I was looking for,
searching for `Winmodem Linux PPP Setup' on google didn't return
anything of use either''. This shows you to be someone who is willing to make
an effort rather than a lazy idiot who requires spoonfeeding. The former
is likely to receive help if anyone knows the answer, the latter
is likely to meet with either stony silence or outright
derision.
Write in clear, grammatical and correctly spelt English. This
is incredibly important. It marks you as a precise and considered
thinker. There are no such words as ``u'' or ``b4.'' Try to make yourself look
like an educated and intelligent person rather than an idiot. It will
help. I promise.
Similarly do not type in all capitals LIKE THIS. That is
considered shouting and looks very rude.
Provide clear details stating what the problem is and what you
have already tried to do to fix it. A question like ``My linux has stopped
working, what can I do?'' is totally useless. Where has it stopped
working? In what way has it stopped working? You need to be as
precise as possible. There are limits however. Try not to include irrelevant
information either. If you are having problems with your mail client
it is unlikely that a dump of your kernel boot log
(dmesg) would be of help.
Don't ask for replies by private email. The point of most Linux
forums is that everybody can learn something from each other. Asking
for private replies simply removes value from the newsgroup or mailing
list.
18.1.4. Formatting Your Post
Do not post in HTML. Many Linux users have mail clients which
can't easily read HTML email. Whilst with some effort, they
can read HTML email, they usually don't. If you
send them HTML mail it often gets deleted unread. Send plain text
emails, they will reach a wider audience that way.
18.1.5. Follow Up
After your problem has been solved, post a short followup
explaining what the problem was and how you solved it. People will
appreciate this as it not only gives a sense of closure about the
problem but also helps the next time someone has a similar question. When they
look at the archives of the newsgroup or mailing list, they will see
you had the same problem, the discussion that followed your question and
your final solution.
18.1.6. More Information
This short guide is simply a paraphrase
and summary of the excellent (and more detailed) document ``How To
Ask Questions The Smart Way'' by Eric S Raymond. https://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html. It is
recommend that you read it before you post anything. It will help
you formulate your question to maximize your
chances of getting the answer you are looking for.
