# Re: Invalid argument

From: Nick Lamb (njl98r@ecs.soton.ac.uk)
Date: Fri Sep 29 2000 - 19:05:15 PDT

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  On Sat, Sep 30, 2000 at 01:59:36AM +0200, Jochen Eisinger wrote:
  > try
  >
  > #scanimage --device epson:/dev/usbcanner0

  (No particular criticism of the poster who started this thread is meant
  or implied by my rant)

  When the invalid argument case occurs we should special case string[0]=='/'
  and print an error message which asks the user to please READ THE
  FUCKING MANUAL. Or better still, since today's users have been brought
  up to expect hand holding at every turn, just print out five or six lines
  explaining in detail what they did wrong.

  jwz's approach, so far as I recall, was to add an additional explanatory
  line for every stupid user who asks the same question. After a few years
  the explanation is a page or two long, and the questions slow to a
  trickle then stop.

  Here's a first attempt:

      ---
      You seem to have specified a UNIX device name, or filename instead of
      selecting the SANE scanner or image acquisition device you want to use.
      As an example, you might want "epson:/dev/sg0" or "hp:/dev/usbscanner0"
      If any supported devices are installed in your system, you should be
      able to see a list with "scanimage --list"
      ----
      Also, someone needs to make "scanimage --list" notice if no scanners
      were identified and POINT THAT OUT. The same users who are unwilling to
      read a man page will not realise that "no response" == nothing to
      report. How about:
      ---
      No scanners were identified. If you were expecting something different,
      check that the scanner is plugged in, turned on and detected by the
      find-scanner tool (if appropriate). Please read the documentation
      which came with this software before you use it.
      ---
      Adding these things is an easy project for an experienced programmer
      who is new to SANE, any volunteers?
      Nick.
      --
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