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On Mon, Nov 12, 2012 at 09:37:03AM +0000, Neil Bothwick wrote: |
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> On Sun, 11 Nov 2012 23:21:06 -0600, Bruce Hill wrote: |
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> |
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> > If we also stick to helping someone with their problem, and refrain from |
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> > replying about how bad or useless we think an app or ideal might be to |
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> > us, we could avoid flame wars. |
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> |
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> Unfortunately, there are times when it is necessary to point out how bad |
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> an idea is in order to help someone. Recent example: the suggestion to |
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> use dd to copy one drive to another with a different block size. While |
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> this may have worked for the person suggesting it, it is a bad idea in |
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> general and refraining from stating that could have resulted n problems |
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> for someone following that advice. |
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Might I suggest that it is more appropriate, and more likely to be received, |
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if it is 'pointed out' with logic, technical explanation, and courtesy. |
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> Surely stating the merits or otherwise of an idea is a core element of |
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> discussion, and discussion is what this list is about. |
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Which can (and should) be done well without sarcasm and personal attack. |
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> On the topic of swearing, some consider it "bad language", as you do, and |
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> I respect that view. Others consider it a means of expression (others |
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> seem to use it for punctuation, but no one is defending that). There are |
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> times that some words can add emotion or emphasis to a statement, |
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> especially when used rarely, but on a list like this there is generally |
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> little or no need for it. However, not all users of this list are |
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> native-English speakers and other cultures see use of such language |
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> different - one only has to look at the comments made on the podium of |
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> the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, made by professional drivers who are paid |
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> not to offend. |
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God, whom you mention in your sig, has written His law on the heart of every |
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one, so that "they are without excuse". Having visited 10 countries, and lived |
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in China for almost 9 years, my experience has been that even most heathen in |
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remote villages understand propriety. |
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This person doing post-grad work in a Mexican universtiy well understands. |
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But even if you doubt that, just reference his remark: "I hope it doesn't |
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offend anyone. That was not (nor is) the intention." Seems he didn't *really* |
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mean that, and will continue to offend others. |
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> -- |
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> Neil Bothwick |
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> |
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> And on the seventh day God said :wq and then make |
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-- |
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Happy Penguin Computers >') |
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126 Fenco Drive ( \ |
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Tupelo, MS 38801 ^^ |
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support@×××××××××××××××××××××.com |
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662-269-2706 662-205-6424 |
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http://happypenguincomputers.com/ |
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Don't top-post: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_post#Top-posting |
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