I think I'm becoming obsolete

When I joined these forums back in May 2005, I was in awe. Here were knowledgeable Linux users who were also friendly to beginners. I found that a rare combination. Not that there were a lot of *mean* Linux users I encountered. It's just that many forums seemed a little too advanced for where I was, and I wasn't sure they had the patience for my new-user problems. And then there was another forum I found that was extremely new-user-friendly but didn't have too many experts or intermediate users. It felt a little like the blind leading the blind.

On the Ubuntu Forums, as a novice back then, I felt comfortable asking questions, and I was surprised at how quickly my questions were answered. More importantly, I was surprised at how quickly I mastered a few basics and was able to help other new users who were maybe only one or two steps behind me.

I've never become a Linux expert. I guess at most I would consider myself an advanced beginner or maybe a beginning intermediate user. But I was able for the few first years to answer people's questions.

Now, these past few months, I've been noticing that most of the support questions here are ones I can't answer as an advanced beginner or beginning intermediate user. Yes, there are the occasional "How do I install software?" threads, but other people usually answer those more quickly than I can.

It seems to me that more and more problems have to do with bugs or with really obscure problems people don't know the answer to. Either that or hardware incompatibilities (Broadcom, Lexmark, etc.).

I'm still glad to be part of this community. I don't long for the old days. But if you see me more and more in the Cafe and less in the support forums, it's not because I don't want to support people; it's most likely because the support threads I see are ones I can't answer well (too difficult) or can't answer quickly enough (too easy).

I'm in the same boat, and I can certainly sympathize with your comments.

I don't mess with the operating system, and pretty much use a standard install. All of my activity is online, and Xubuntu, Ubuntu, or whatever I'm using, is just what Firefox, OOo, and Thunderbird sit on.

I'd like to believe that what I know, I know very well, but it seems that there are an abundance of questions, that I don't even understand at first pass, let alone have the ability to answer.

:(

I really wouldn't sweat it. You're a good poster and a valuable part of the community.

Remember, not all of are coders or hard-core gamers. ;)

OrangeCrate said: I'm in the same boat, and I can certainly sympathize with your comments.

I don't mess with the operating system, and pretty much use a standard install. All of my activity is online, and Xubuntu, Ubuntu, or whatever I'm using, is just what Firefox, OOo, and Thunderbird sit on.

I'd like to believe that what I know, I know very well, but it seems that there are an abundance of questions, that I don't even understand at first pass, let alone have the ability to answer.

:(

I found out the hard way that it's best not to mess with the OS, it works really well if I leave it alone. Beyond doing a few things like changing the fonts, installing favourite software (BlueFish!!!) and getting a nice theme, finding a few useful scripts, I just leave Ubuntu alone. I'll only attempt major things if it's necessary. I don't bother anymore with Compiz or AWN. The end result is that Ubuntu performs like a champ and is very reliable and you know, I'm really happy with that.

Just to clarify, Compiz and AWN are really nice and if I were a lot younger, I'm sure I'd run them both. Right now, I'm happy with the default setup and all that attractive eye cand is superflous to my needs.

Reading about the latest MS fiasco and how IE is severelly compromised makes me glad I'm using a secure OS. Been nearly a year and a half now, never once regretted my decision to move and never going back.

aysiu said: It seems to me that more and more problems have to do with bugs or with really obscure problems people don't know the answer to. Either that or hardware incompatibilities (Broadcom, Lexmark, etc.).

Funny, I was saying the same thing to myself the other day. But maybe the decreasing numbers of easier general questions is a good sign: either users are reading the documentation (RTFM!)--and Ubuntu Community Documentation alone is really amazing, not to mention all the other ubuntu-specific webpages--or else they're just more linux saavy these days.

I still routinely refer people to Psychocats ubuntu site. Hope that makes you feel better, Aysiu!

logos34 said: Funny, I was saying the same thing to myself the other day. But maybe the decreasing numbers of easier general questions is a good sign: either users are reading the documentation (RTFM!)--and Ubuntu Community Documentation alone is really amazing, not to mention all the other ubuntu-specific webpages--or else they're just more linux saavy these days.

I still routinely refer people to Psychocats ubuntu site. Hope that makes you feel better, Aysiu!

+1

(You da cat!)

:KS

Maybe they have found the Search function after all this time, or have started to use their favorite search engine to find the answers they are looking for?

aysiu said: When I joined these forums back in May 2005, I was in awe. Here were knowledgeable Linux users who were also friendly to beginners. I found that a rare combination. Not that there were a lot of *mean* Linux users I encountered. It's just that many forums seemed a little too advanced for where I was, and I wasn't sure they had the patience for my new-user problems. And then there was another forum I found that was extremely new-user-friendly but didn't have too many experts or intermediate users. It felt a little like the blind leading the blind.

On the Ubuntu Forums, as a novice back then, I felt comfortable asking questions, and I was surprised at how quickly my questions were answered. More importantly, I was surprised at how quickly I mastered a few basics and was able to help other new users who were maybe only one or two steps behind me.

I've never become a Linux expert. I guess at most I would consider myself an advanced beginner or maybe a beginning intermediate user. But I was able for the few first years to answer people's questions.

Now, these past few months, I've been noticing that most of the support questions here are ones I can't answer as an advanced beginner or beginning intermediate user. Yes, there are the occasional "How do I install software?" threads, but other people usually answer those more quickly than I can.

It seems to me that more and more problems have to do with bugs or with really obscure problems people don't know the answer to. Either that or hardware incompatibilities (Broadcom, Lexmark, etc.).

I'm still glad to be part of this community. I don't long for the old days. But if you see me more and more in the Cafe and less in the support forums, it's not because I don't want to support people; it's most likely because the support threads I see are ones I can't answer well (too difficult) or can't answer quickly enough (too easy).

As a person you helped without even realising i can honestly say we'll still love you even if your only loitering in the cafe Aysiu....

I wanted to add, sometimes a question is just a way of starting a conversation, too - we want to talk about it - and often it's not about fixing problems as such. Forums usually have a question-and-answer culture. I'd say, even if you feel you aren't contributing with fixes, just talking 'around' the topic of Linux and Ubuntu is fabulous.

Since installing Ubuntu - was it only a week ago? I'm besotted, and hanging around the forums like a lost puppy, because I want to share my new obsession!

the wifes laptop remained tethered to a lan line until the BCM drivers became point & click. playing rental dvds was done brown goods or xp until medibuntu.org made "playing it" just copy and paste. compiz/fusion became not just a thing on U-tube but on my computer with just the addition of a settings manager. while the stuff in the box just worked out of the box for me, it is the fringe stuff around the edges that has had made major improvements in "just working."

I have similar issues. I don't know enough to be of great help in the support forums - as you said, most of the issues are obscure and specific-hardware related - but at the same time don't want to leave the forums, either.

I tend to hang out here, in the testimonials section, nowadays. I figure I can help keep people motivated when they're feeling frustrated and want to give up, and can even toss out the occasional nugget of advice, or a site link every now and then, to get someone started in the right direction. I also try to keep my replies calm and polite, trying to understand where the OP is coming from, since it seems more and more that people are treating frustrated users with arrogance and contempt (or indifference - "Bye!" or "Go back to Windows then!" - which to me is even worse).

Either way...you don't have to become obsolete...you've just got to - ah - upgrade, or redefine your parameters. :P

Cheers!

I must agree, many of the recent post are way beyond my capabilities. Similar to you, I can't answer fast enough when responding to questions I may potentially be qualified to answer.:-) However, with every new release comes the opportunity to assist either new users or existing users that aren't as familiar with specific functions.

As for hanging around the forum I believe it's just addictive and a hard habit to break.

I wouldn't worry about becoming obsolete. With a new release every six months, I'm certain your support will again be in demand. I've read a number of your posts and can say without hesitation - you are truly an asset.

Thanks for all the replies. Good to know I'm not alone in feeling this way.

Thanks for all the replies. Good to know I'm not alone in feeling this way.

When I do support for Linux I always give your web page out as a valuable resource for new Ubuntu users.

same here, psychocats rocks.

Computers and the things I want them to do have always been fairly easy for me, But then unlike the rest of the family around me I was never afraid of reading or searching google for the answers...lol.

At this point I have settled into ubuntu quite nicely and I love the OS but I definitely don't know enough tech stuff to be handing out hardware specific help.

Actually I can say though I'm quite comfortable with using Ubuntu at this point I have never gone beyond being able to help in a pretty basic manner.

I think though that just all of us being here and hanging out can help noobs feel more welcome and hopefully give them a warm feeling.

same here, psychocats rocks.

Probably one of,if not the most user friendly Ubuntu HowTo site on the net. A must for any new user.....and the not so new too of course:-\"

I can only say that I feel the same way. I used to hang out in the networking section a lot, but things have definitely moved on. I also want to help, however, there are less and less opportunities for me to contribute something useful. The average computer literacy has certainly gone up considerably.

Aysiu, your site is still valuable to many users. Perhaps that's just a small token of consolation, but it is the simple truth.

We can add to this Hermann's many and varied how-to's. If nothing else those of us "advanced beginners" are still repositories of links to what works,how-to's, and C&P commands to get things done.

We may be of an older generation but never obsolete. Kinda like those who choose to use a muzzleloader rather than an assault rifle. Either does the job its just a matter of choice.

wieman01 said: I can only say that I feel the same way. I used to hang out in the networking section a lot, but things have definitely moved on. I also want to help, however, there are less and less opportunities for me to contribute something useful. The average computer literacy has certainly gone up considerably.

Aysiu, your site is still valuable to many users. Perhaps that's just a small token of consolation, but it is the simple truth.

+1 to that. Psychocats is awesome. :)

You been helpful to me indirectly. I used your site a lot when I first started using Ubuntu and still use it occasionally.

It was your site that gave me inspiration and encouragment for first installing Ubuntu. I even showed it to my Mom to have her go over it, because I was somewhat nervous about installing "linux".

We all appreciate you here. I know, I certainly do. You have helped me through a great many problems from the beginning. But don't feel bad. I can't answer every question on here either, and we are not obligated to do so. It's meerly a fun side job of helping those if we can.

Dr Small

we all love you Aysiu *hugs*