Thread: Funny stuff
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Old 9th March 2010
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marcolino marcolino is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nirbo View Post
I've always loved the argument "you have to know too much." It's pretty much synonymous of "I'm too lazy/can't be bothered to learn."
Nirbo, it may mean, "it's more complex than my application should require, compared to other options." E.g., in Windows, you only need to enter the pop3 and smtp server, user name and password, and you can send and receive e-mail; in OpenBSD, however, you need to configure your local sendmail server, install fetchmail from ports and configure that, to be able to send and receive e-mail. (OK, it doesn't have to be exactly like that, but it will suffice for this example.) One could argue that, "you have to know too much" compared to Windows.

In a similar vein, in the US, to get a driver's license, one has to learn the rules of the road, how to read road signs, and practice to pass a driving test. To get a CDL (Commercial Driver's License), you have to learn all of the above, but also how to diagnose engine trouble, service your vehicle, how to drive when hauling certain cargo, where you can and cannot drive due to restrictions on certain classes of cargo, who to contact and when for escorts through the various states, counties and municipalities, etc.. One could argue that "you have to know too much " to acquire a CDL. And that would be correct if all you need or want to do is to drop your kids off at school; however, if you need to haul a wind turbine blade across the country, then you need a CDL.

Bottom line, I wouldn't necessarily write it off as laziness or deliberate ignorance, but rather opting for another solution.
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