[Tutor] Auto-response for your message to the "Tutor" mailing list

[Devin Jeanpierre]

This is the third time I've received a message "for those of you new
to the Tutor list". When does it stop?

-- Devin

On Sat, May 12, 2012 at 11:19 PM,  <tutor-bounces at python.org> wrote:
> Your message for tutor at python.org, the Python programming tutor list,
> has been received and is being delivered.  This automated response is
> sent to those of you new to the Tutor list, to point out a few
> resources that can help with answering your own questions, or improve
> the chances of getting a useful answer from the other subscribers.
>
> If your question is something akin to:
>
>    "I've just heard about Python, and it sounds great!  Where can I
>     find out more on how to program with Python?"
>
>  or:
>
>     "What's Python?"
>
> please read section 1 below.
>
> On the other hand, if your question is:
>
>    "I've heard that Python is good for hacking -- I want to know
> more!"
>
>  or
>
>    "Can you teach me how to break into a computer with Python?"
>
> please read section 2 at the bottom of this email.
>
> Section 1: ----------
>
> The most comprehensive overview of python.org help resources is at
>
>  http://www.python.org/Help.html
>
> The Python FAQ is available at
>
>  http://www.python.org/doc/FAQ.html
>
> and it has answers to many questions that people ask, possibly
> including your question.  Another wealth of information and experience
> can be found via the python.org searches, at
>
>  http://www.python.org/search/
>
> There you'll find comprehensive, easy-to-use searches over the
> python.org web site and the Python newsgroup, comp.lang.python.
>
> Python has an online tutorial, available freely from
>
>  http://www.python.org/doc/current/tutorial/index.html
>
> Finally, when you do send email to the Tutor list, be as clear as you
> can about the problem, including, when relevant, details like:
>
>  - Precise error messages, including complete tracebacks
>  - The hardware platform (available in the Python sys module as
> sys.platform)
>  - The python version (sys.version)
>  - The python search path (sys.path)
>
> In general, be specific about what was going on connected with the
> problem or what specific concept you're having difficulties with.  The
> better the info you provide, the more likely the helpers will be able
> to glean the answer...
>
> There's a HOWTO that shows how to ask "smart" questions to technical
> folks:
>
> http://catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
> Although it is provocative, it does have some good points, and is an
> interesting read.
>
>
> Note that no one is paid to read the tutor list or provide answers,
> and most readers often have other work that demands their attention.
> Well-posed requests for help are usually answered fairly promptly, but
> occasionally a request slips by, so if you do not get a response with
> one or two working days (it's usually quicker than that), please feel
> free to send a followup, asking whether anyone is working on your
> question.
>
> Anyway, your message is being delivered to the Tutor list as this one
> is being sent.  However, if your question was about as detailed as
> "Teach me how to program in Python", do not count on an answer -- this
> email contains all the information you need to start.  Come back with
> a more precise question, and we'll be glad to help.
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> Section 2: ----------
>
> We periodically get requests which ask about hacking or cracking or
> breaking into computers.  If you haven't yet, go read Eric Raymond's
> article "How To Become a Hacker" at
>  http://catb.org/esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html
>
> If, after you've read that, you want help learning how to hack the way
> Eric defines the word, then come back to us (and read Section 1
> above).  If you want help learning how to crack, go look elsewhere --
> we're not interested in helping you do that.