There is no such things as a stupid question, just a stupid answer.

One of things I have deplored over the many years I've been involved in
various Internet fora is the tendency of a lot of people to put down others
for asking "stupid" questions, in a manner that would get them a punch in
the nose if they did it in person.

At one time, we were ALL beginners. The very first question ANY of us asked
was a stupid question from some other person's point of view. Including,
I'm sure, Olin's first question.

The things that distinguishes a good teacher from a poor one is the ability
to adapt to the student - to encourage him, no put him down; to make him
eager to ask more questions and learn more, not to quiver in fear wondering
whether he will be insulted or laughed at.

Olin  may be a technical genius, but he sure is a lousy teacher.

"RTFM" is a barely adequate response (admittedly, a lot more people should
R the FM before asking questions, but human nature being what it is ...).
"RTFM you idiot" is not.


At 11:00 PM 2/16/2004 +1100, you wrote:
>I say give Olin another go.
>
>His advice is quite often presented in just the right manner to 'jolt' a
>person into seeing something that they should have known better.
>
>  Which in this case may be appropriate, taking into consideration the OP's
>apparent technical ability. Whilst Olin's manner may at times seem balls out
>rude (I myself can and have been guilty of this) I think it is nonetheless
>an important part of the list environment, variety is the spice of life and
>well if a person cant handle being given a bit of a verbal lashing then
>perhaps they should toughen up a bit in order to survive in life.
>
>A fair while ago on list there was an engineer that posted a thorough sob
>story and feeling utterly sorry for themselves. (if I remember
>correctly)That person got a dose of both kind words and a thorough verbal
>beating for being such a self pitying fool. It was the combination that
>ended up snapping that person out of their depression and motivated them to
>give it a real go. The point is, kind words are great when appropriate, but
>if someone is deserving of it, then I say go ahead and give them a mouthful,
>this is the big peoples world.....not kindergarten.
>Olin didn't call the person a f%$king idiot after all.
>
>By the way, what IS the other persons opinion on the matter, were they
>offended and if so do they know how much benefit olins advice can be?
>
>Just a note for the OP, anonymous names on list can tend to get the disdain
>they deserve. This isn't a porn chat room, give people some respect and at
>least tell them your real name (even first name).
>
>
>Sometimes we just have to brave the cactus prickles to get the good bits.
>
>Besides, sometimes Olin's posts almost have me in stitches laughing ;-).
>
>Best regards to all,
>
>Jonathan
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: pic microcontroller discussion list
>[mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Brian Clewer
>Sent: Monday, 16 February 2004 9:53 PM
>To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
>Subject: Re: [PIC]: PIC18F8720 insuccesses
>
>
>James Wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Olin has been deleted from the PICList.
> >
> > No amount of excellent advice is worth being called an idiot.
> >
> >
> > ---
> > James.
> >
>
>I think we all have bad days and Olin does seem to speak his mind without
>thinking too much about how it will offend people.  Whilst I agree you
>shouldn't call people an idiot (or any other names for that matter) I think
>a suspension from the list would be more appropriate.  Over the years, I
>think Olin has done more good than harm.  Perhaps there ought to be a
>structure in place where you are warned if you behave inappropriately.  Do
>it again and you are suspended and ultimately expelled.
>
>I am sure that if Olin is allowed back, he is going to read the email back
>before it is sent to make sure it's not going to purposely offend anyone.
>
>I say give him another chance.
>
>Brian.
>
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Larry Bradley
Orleans (Ottawa), Ontario, CANADA

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