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On Sun, 11 Nov 2012 23:21:06 -0600, Bruce Hill wrote: |
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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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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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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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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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-- |
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Neil Bothwick |
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And on the seventh day God said :wq and then make |
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