I try not to get involved in these debates but I just have to comment now. And not just because of what Richard states.
I agree with some of what everyone has said. I believe that the spirit of the list is to help others as much as we can. I believe that also it makes a good read because other people see things in ways I don't. I have often stated experience has little to do with vision. That being said, I also make a couple assumptions. 1. There will be sarcasm and ridicule but it will almost always be with the intent of good humor. 2. That if someone thinks they can help but feels they need help to help you, they will state that. That being said, I believe the "we are a family", although I understand it, might be a little strong for some of us. But certainly we are coharts, if not friends. And certainly we are a community. And as such, if someone moved into your neighborhood and said, "Hi, I am 123 USA st." you might look at them a little odd. But if they said, "Hi my name is Brian." they would have a greater chance of being welcomed into the community. Now, in reference to the conversation that seemed to spurn this big thread, I am not overly concerned that the individual did not use their name. I am not concerned that they got flamed. I am concerned that after the flames burned down, and people offered some suggestions, they replied with, "I don't care". They could have just as easily said, "The problem went away, and I don't have the time to look into the solution." Are a few of us (possibly myself included) being thin skinned? Maybe. But curtesy does go a long way. And just like in your home community, if you asked someone to borrow their hammer, and when they offered it, you replied, "I don't care, I don't need it" they might not be so quick to help next time. Like my parents used to say (well they still do), "A thank you goes a long way." Lets just move on, and help who we can, and learn from who we can. I agree that in the years I have been a member, the list has gotten a bit more hostile. I wonder if that is a fact of the work environment. Is it possible that we are looking at what we do more as work and less as play and has made us grouchy as a group? I think I will step off my platform now and quietly fade into the weekend. Good day and a better weekend to all. Brian Goralczyk P.S. Anybody who would make up that last name is nuts. ;-) On Fri, Apr 25, 2008 at 2:38 PM, Richard Copits < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > ** > > > > <opinion on> > > > > An unpopular opinion….but just consider this….. > > > > I believe that the reason people post questions to this list is for help. I > tend > > to believe that they've tried their resources and not had any luck. I'm > pretty > > sure that they've most likely googled, read, etc. and still came up empty. > > Remember, posting to this list has two effects – first, it acknowledges > that > > you can't find the answer and second, that if you post to the list and > don't > > post the right/politically correct way, you potentially open yourself up to > > flames from some people. > > > > I contend that it takes either guts are desperation to admit that you're > ignorant > > of a solution, that you're unable to find anything to help you with the > solution, > > and that you're even willing to potentially endure the flames of > politically or > > grammatically hazardous posting…… > > > > But…does it REALLY matter what someone's name is? Does it REALLY HELP to > > ream them if they aren't as grammatically erudite as you are? How about > just > > dropping the requirements of form, identification and intent….and…..just > help > > them? Or…..don't. But if you can't be positive, cordial and helpful, don't > reply. > > > > When you are sick and go to your doctor, does he ask "Well, what treatments > > have your researched on the internet and at the library and tried….what > drugs > > have you borrowed/bought and tried…" before he treats you? Does your > dentist > > ask what attempts you've done to fill your own teeth (maybe with a power > drill..) > > before he agrees to help you? Do they say anything like "I don't like the > way you > > told me about your pain/problem..so…..when you can describe it like I want > it > > described, come back and I'll help you…." > > > > I think not. > > > > So…..my suggestion is – I'm sure all of us were newbies at some point and > > appreciated a cordial reply, a kind word, a bit of understanding and a lot > of > > hand-holding to get where we are today. The people asking for advice or > > help are just trying in their own way to get a job done….make it through > > another day or get another server working. I'm sure we've ALL cut corners, > > tried to take the easy way out or would rather ask than read – we're all > > human – so let's let others be human also. > > > > I can get sarcasm, crap and elitist and snotty remarks from people at work. > > On this list it would be nice to get help, understanding and even > camaraderie > > if nothing else by virtue that we're all slogging in this swamp, trying to > watch > > out for alligators and quicksand and helping each other find the path to > dry > > land. > > > > </opinion off> > > > Portions of this message may be confidential under an exemption to Ohio's > public records law or under a legal privilege. 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