I think it is time for some of us to step back a bit and reflect on how we’re behaving on this forum.
Item one: Disagreements are to be expected. Comments however, should be directed at ideas not individuals.
Item two: That we exchange ideas and comments here on RSU does not mean that we know each other. Face to face communication, friendships based on physical proximity, eye contact, etc have a lot to do with “knowing” somebody and for the most part we lack that here. Therefore it is dangerous to make assumptions about what someone is like or intends based on comments on an internet based forum. I would strongly recommend that signatures containing disparaging comments about others on this forum or that quote, in or out of context, others on this forum without their express permission, be removed. Threats of any kind should also be avoided at all costs.
Item three: I read kids (I hesitate to use the word children) making comments and using language that I’m guessing most would not use in a room full of adults. Same for the adults; there are kids around you know. I know that the Internet has changed fundamentally how we communicate, but, although it may mean this, I don’t think it should mean that all of our basic rules of civility get tossed out the window.
I am probably guilty of violating some of the things I suggest here. Feel free to point them out to me; I will attempt not to repeat these offenses.
It probably also deserves mention that by “offense” I mean personal offense. Danny Colyer offers in his signature this quote from Thomas Paine, “He that dares not offend cannot be honest”. Different and new ideas often are offensive and valuable, but personal attacks and offense for the sake of offense usually are not. (Although I know that Tom was a rather contentious character).
I’d also like to add that I have had private exchanges with a few of the individuals engaged in feuds on this forum. All seem to be intelligent and reasonable people who I suspect can and will work out their differences.
Hmmmm. I think that the quotes in my signature are understood to be a joke by all (although both are true quotes). Also they are purely self serving and do nothing to harm anyone. I also suspect that you included the recommendation because of something that someone did that led to controversy. Besides, I can’t change it now or it will have to be less than 5 lines.
Glad to see the Unithon is back for another round. Hope to see you there.
For the record, and this is subject to change, I now believe that just about anything goes on the Internet. I will behave as I believe is appropriate, but have no expectations of anyone else. None. Many people impress me with their attitudes and ability to interact in a civil manner, many more do not. I, on occasion, disappoint myself.
On the front page I saw that you were the last one that posted in here, and suspected that you were the one that ressurected this thread. I was very happy to see that it was really billy and not you. Then I saw your post and was dissapointed again.
and reasonable