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This isn't a new problem. Do you think the askers are following through, and actually learning based off of the recommendations? Some do, but most do

by dwc 16y ago

This isn't a new problem. Do you think the askers are following through, and actually learning based off of the recommendations? Some do, but most do not. Is there any way to compile the information in one place and point askers towards that? This has been done so many times over so many years that there's a plethora of pages out there (http://www.google.com/search?q=learn+how+to+program http://www.google.com/search?q=learn+how+to+program), some current and others in various stages of decomposition. A truly motivated individual is likely to realize that this question is Googleable and will find tons of information. That leaves us with the occasional capable and motivated person asking for some guidance that HN could uniquely provide, and the rest of such questions are less worthy, IMO. Making a nice resource, perhaps with some HN flavored info, would be really great were it to be referenced. The best case to me would be that "how to learn programming" posts would get no up votes and a single comment linking the resource. Or something along those lines.

maxbrown 16y ago
I'm sure it's not new, it just seems to me to be flaring up recently. A truly motivated individual is likely to realize that this question is Googleable and will find tons of information. Agreed. And there are many other HN-related routes too - I've had great responses asking questions of HNOfficeHours individuals. Making a nice resource, perhaps with some HN flavored info, would be really great were it to be referenced. Do you think a compilation would be referenced enough to make it worthwhile? Sounds like a valuable side project if it would actually be used.
- dwc 16y ago
  The referencing (i.e., the social interaction) is always that hard part. Many resources are already available, so making one more (even HN specific) doesn't solve anything. If the new resource were decent then it would get referenced, I think. And that may make it worthwhile in itself. But I'm doubt it will do anything about the normal ebb and flow of "learning to program" posts and replies. Some sites give links to such info when a user signs up, have always visible links in a sidebar, etc., and people still ask, and just as often. So I think dealing with this is like doing laundry: however well you approach the task and whatever resources you throw at it, it will need doing again in a few days, and a few days after that, forever. Realizing that, you can make the task as pleasurable and efficient as possible, but it will always be a recurring task.

by dwc 16y ago

maxbrown 16y ago

I'm sure it's not new, it just seems to me to be flaring up recently. A truly motivated individual is likely to realize that this question is Googleable and will find tons of information. Agreed. And there are many other HN-related routes too - I've had great responses asking questions of HNOfficeHours individuals. Making a nice resource, perhaps with some HN flavored info, would be really great were it to be referenced. Do you think a compilation would be referenced enough to make it worthwhile? Sounds like a valuable side project if it would actually be used.

dwc 16y ago
The referencing (i.e., the social interaction) is always that hard part. Many resources are already available, so making one more (even HN specific) doesn't solve anything. If the new resource were decent then it would get referenced, I think. And that may make it worthwhile in itself. But I'm doubt it will do anything about the normal ebb and flow of "learning to program" posts and replies. Some sites give links to such info when a user signs up, have always visible links in a sidebar, etc., and people still ask, and just as often. So I think dealing with this is like doing laundry: however well you approach the task and whatever resources you throw at it, it will need doing again in a few days, and a few days after that, forever. Realizing that, you can make the task as pleasurable and efficient as possible, but it will always be a recurring task.