[sf-lug] Learning Bourne Scripting

[Rick Moen]

Quoting Grant Bowman (grantbow at ubuntu.com):

> Free as in beer can be at odds with available free time.

Concern about theoretical confused novices' time being chewed up is very
endearing, sort of.  However, did you ever wonder what the person
_helping_ others for free gets out of it?

I've found that the value of my own time, as someone who assists the
community, is maximised by favouring querents who show at least very
modest initative.  They're the ones who not only benefit without endless
and recurring handholding, but also are most inclined to continue the
cycle by coming back and giving other real help.  Thus, much more
long-term benefit, much better building of collective knowledge, and 
much less frustration on all sides.

While I'm sympathetic with folks unwilling to spend a few minutes
visiting Web sites to decide which of several excellent novice tutorials
they like best, doing extra work for them is just not a priority.