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As Neil so correctly pointed out a lot of effort goes into "it just works". On this list, I would assume that by subscribing, there is a general desire to know more about *how*. Unfortunately, the converse is likely to be true also. Those who haven't subscribed would, IMHO, fall into a couple of categories:
1. Those who don't need help. Self-taught. In a way they are missing the point of the Linux community, because if they can get into Linux without help then they would be a valuable resource to those of us who need hep occasionally.
2. Those who know someone who can help them. Again missing the boat in terms of the Linux community.
It occurs to me that many people want to use Linux without being part of the Linux community. That is their choice. I don't see it as a problem. If they aren't interested, then they aren't interested. Being part of a community takes time, and is a commitment. Some people are already over committed elsewhere, in other communities.
Not everyone who uses linux should need to be part of the linux community, because that in itself would be off putting to a lot of people. Not necessarilly because they aren't interested, or couldn't contribute, but because they simply don't have time for it.
For example, my girlfriend has a machine (actually technically its my machine that I've leant to her, but it may as well be hers), and it dual boots windows 98 and SuSE 8.1. She has learned to like Linux for her email, and some of her web browsing, but still does pretty much everything else in windows. She has no interest in taking part in LUG whatsoever, and I'm not sure she would benefit from it anyway. She would find far too much of the messages too technical and of no interest, and would likely switch off very quickly. Even to messages she might learn from. Still, considering she was a complete technophobe back in 2000 when I met her, I think she has progressed quite well.
I think a user such as herself would benefit more from a kind of web forum type approach, where there were sections where newbies could go for help and advice without having to wade through technical messages, or messages about whether to change our name etc.
Time is a precious resource, and it is not for us to judge how others spend theirs.
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