(ab)Use of /msg

Normally, we prefer that /msg not be used in #Linux.

Why? I just knew you'd ask.

Basically, if you /msg someone, you'll have only their opinion and possibly faulty expertise. Since people can in fact be wrong sometimes, this isn't so good.

On the other hand, if you ask the entire channel, you not only get the benefit of a wider audience, one that's more likely to have your specific problem. If someone gives you incorrect information, there's a much better chance of someone else correcting the information then and there...

Which is another valid point. In /msg, only you learn, because only you get to see the answers. (Unless your connection is being sniffed, but that's another issue and is irrelevant here. Ignore this space.) If you broadcast on channel, though, everyone gets to learn.

Another issue is that the poor people who actually answer questions might get a bit of a break if you learn from someone else's public answer instead of asking the same question they've gotten forty times lately.

Yet another issue: just think; every line someone types in /msg is one less line they're able to commit to the channel, which lowers the usefulness of the channel.

And if all of that isn't enough to convince you - consider that just sometimes, some people actually prefer not to be /msg'd.