Hi, I am being obnoxious here, and maybe someone will flame me :-). However, I am forcing the point, and trying to provoke someone into writing a reasoned logical explanation why it is ok to publically flame
Now, Steve has expressed an opinion that has been repeated elsewhere. This opinion is contradictory. It is ok to flame idiots, but not ok to flame newbies. What do you do with idiot newbies? Publically flame them? Or not? The answer is to correct them, but nicely. Public idiots are definately corrected, publically, but they are definately corrected in a socially mature fashion. Because someone is yelling and screaming publically, do we descend to their level, and yell/scream at them to shutup? Nope. Derek. ================== P.S. > a) Yes, in the same letter to (*large muntinational software company*) > that I threatened taking legal action against them. > b) No, but I'm not sure how many academic conferences you've been to (: > c) Never, but see the point above. a) yes, fair call. However, there was considerable care in your letter. b) too many conferences. idiots were talked about at the bar... ==================================================================== On Mon, 13 Dec 2004, Steve Holdoway wrote: > > On Mon, December 13, 2004 10:48 am, Derek Smithies said: > > Steve, > > This thread started with the question on behaviour. > > a)would you send a letter to someone on company paper saying, > > You are an idiot? > > b)would you stand up at a conference and say, > > Person X is an idiot > > c)would you spend time at a linux fix up night and > > shout at a newbie, you are an idiot > > > > The answer is no no no. My conclusion is that it is never never never > > ok to flame newbies. Never. > > > [snip] > OK, fine for newbies. The main point I was making was that you can't be > sure that they are noobs, except (probably) face to face. I also pointed > out that there are many powerful lobbies that wish to discredit and slow > the acceptance of linux. > > In answer to your questions: > a) Yes, in the same letter to (*large muntinational software company*) > that I threatened taking legal action against them. > b) No, but I'm not sure how many academic conferences you've been to (: > c) Never, but see the point above. > > Cheers, > > > Steve. > -- Derek Smithies Ph.D. This PC runs pine on linux for email IndraNet Technologies Ltd. If you find a virus apparently from me, it has Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] forged the e-mail headers on someone else's machine ph +64 3 365 6485 Please do not notify me when (apparently) receiving a Web: http://www.indranet-technologies.com/ windows virus from me......
