The only thing that bothers me about these postings is the lack of an [OT] in the subject header. Craig -----Original Message----- From: Bill Cornutt To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU Date: Monday, May 11, 1998 7:48 AM Subject: Re: PICs and jobs "My dog's not in this fight." Therefor I should stay out of it. That would be the smart thing to do. That would be the safe thing to do. So then why don't I do it? There are people who's mind is one level above pond scum. And I hope everyone just ignores them. Just as I will ignore someone who points out a spelling error (in a mean manner) made by a gentleman who can communicate in seven languages. The reply in question was posted late Friday afternoon and I intended to not say anything until the person had an opportunity to answer any controversy he may have caused, if he chose to reply. As the next work day after the reply has not yet started, this timer has not timed out yet. But here I am anyway. I am not here to defend anyone. They can do that themselves if they think it is necessary and/or productive. The comment about spelling and grammar was appropriate. The question involved jobs' and an employer's first impression of a persons qualifications is a written resume. And the comment was not done in a manner that criticized, but was given as good advice. (Which appeared to be much needed) And it was followed with good advice on other topics as well. Also the reply pointing out that some posters may have limited English abilities was also appropriate. All the advice given by everyone who responded was extremely good. (Even mine) And I think it wonderful that people take time to help others as they always do on this list. When replying to a post I make assumptions about the poster. What is their knowledge level. What do they want to know. And what is their level of English. I don't want to give an answer that is above their knowledge as they would not understand the words. The same with the nontechnical words I use. If I see a hint that English is not their first language, I try to use simpler words. I do this because if they don't understand what I write, then it is useless to them. And some times I do see a hint that English is not their first language. The way a word is used or the order of a group of words. But this is extremely rare. The English used on this list is so good that I have to be careful that I write as best I can. And not only is English my first language but it is my only language. I just hope that the people on the list accept me with this language limitation. Recently there has been a thread on this list about a young man and his accomplishments. The thread's subject is "There is hope". There is hope that the USA's universal free school system (through age 17) does produce graduates that have some ability and ambition. The youth in the USA fall into three groups. Those that don't finish school, those that do finish but can't read nor write, and those that finish and can read and write. I would not be surprised if the three groups were equal in numbers. That is why the thread "There is hope" does give hope in the USA. There was a lot to the original question. I seen a young person who had never applied himself to learn anything. And after discovering the Pic's limited instruction set (limited in number of instructions) thought "This should be easy. After all, there are only 33 things to learn, and then I can get a good job." I did think that this person had limited English skills, that English was his first language and he was educated in the USA. But like I first said "My dog's not in this fight." I just wanted to give some background information. Bill C bill@cornutt.com