a new Q&A category

Would it be possible to create a new Q&A category specific for generalized perl question? It could be a place to put the infamous:
How do I know what modules are on my box?
Try doing this with your code because:
What is the best way to find this obscure bit in perldocs?
Beware of this when writing stuff:
and the such.

Questions that those of us that are totally new can ask for those that follow. Kind of like warnings when using the system etc. It seems to me that the Q&A has a lot of warning/solutions for specific tasks, maybe we need a newbies only area for the stuff that is not self evident to newbies.
I am very grateful for the help I have been given here, but I remember trying to learn unix and getting a "do a man on this" response for help. I know there are a lot of hard core people that believe they did it the hard way so everyone should, but why not teach what we had to fumble through?
Perl docs and man pages are EXTREMELY useful- if you know how to use them.
Unfortunately us total perl newbies often don't have an idea how to use them to our advantages.

Comment on a new Q&A category

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: a new Q&A category by dysmai (Initiate) on Mar 22, 2001 at 10:43 UTC
Hell Yeah! Being a newbie my self I think that would be a Totaly great idea. Myself being in a situation of not knowing too much about the language would offer a place to ask the (dumb) questions without fear of the everpresnt downvote. I dig it.	[reply]
Re (tilly) 2: a new Q&A category by tilly (Archbishop) on Mar 22, 2001 at 18:19 UTC
As long as the questions are asked in a reasonable manner, I would doubt you should fear downvoting if you ask your questions in SoPW. And by not trying to segregate the monastery, I think you would increase your odds of getting good answers.	[reply]
Re: Re (tilly) 2: a new Q&A category by Animal (Sexton) on Mar 24, 2001 at 01:19 UTC
I agree that a Q&A section should be all-inclusive, as I probably wouldn't ask a question if i didn't think there'd be someone experienced enough to answer it. A newbie discussion area might be a decent idea though, so us younguns can discuss things we're learning without burdening the older and wiser with our ramblings. ~Animal	[reply]
Re (tilly) 4: a new Q&A category by tilly (Archbishop) on Mar 24, 2001 at 02:58 UTC
Re: Re (tilly) 4: a new Q&A category by Animal (Sexton) on Mar 24, 2001 at 12:23 UTC
Re: Re: a new Q&A category by LD2 (Curate) on Mar 22, 2001 at 10:51 UTC
I think you should be able to post questions on SoPW..without fear of being downvoted. Many newbie questions may seem dumb or trival.. but who knows.. there are most likely others out there that have had the same questions and may be afraid to ask. We've all been newbies at one time or another. :) I think that most here would gladly be able to help or explain - but before posting any question - try and see if it's been posted or explained before using Super Search or whatnot (i.e. Google , PerlDoc.com, etc.).	[reply]
Re: Re: Re: a new Q&A category by jorg (Friar) on Mar 22, 2001 at 17:01 UTC
ld2 has got a valid point here. An area for the total newbie where questions cannot get downvoted (or upvoted for that matter) would be a good idea. That way newbies can learn the obvious without 'learning it the hard way' ie losing cough precious XP. We should ofcourse restrict posting in this area to level 1-3 or something, real* monks should never be afraid to face the monastery with their questions :) jorg	[reply]
Re: a new Q&A category by Masem (Monsignor) on Mar 22, 2001 at 07:53 UTC
I would think that the Q&A section is best suited to this; the specificness that you're seeing appears to be more of a misposting of such questions by newbies instead of being in SoPW. Dr. Michael K. Neylon - mneylon-pm@masemware.com \|\| "You've left the lens cap of your mind on again, Pinky" - The Brain	[reply]


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