RussellMc wrote:
> I was attempting to say that while the details of the content had not
> lingered, the impression had.

While you are entitled to your impression, it is totally unfair as a basis
of list management.  That's why I quoted the whole post so that you (and
others) could see there was nothing wrong there.

> I agree that this was NOT one of your more vitriolic sallies.
> I agree that you were more helpful than most on this occasion (and
> often are).
>
> ...
>
> all that's being asked is that you
> desist from beating the children about the head or [insert own
> apposite metaphor ...] until they have learned to walk a little.

But I didn't do that, even according to your own assessment.

So far the only thing I have been accused of is having left the wrong
impression in your mind, which is hardly the basis of a reasonable governin=
g
system.  I think your impression was colored by other things, including
various things *other* people said.  I quoted the whole supposedly offensiv=
e
post because I thought you might realize for youself that your impression
(as impressions often tend to be) was less than reasonable or accurate in
this case.

> One newbie per year driven away in the first week after their first
> post or within their first say 5 or 10 posts is two newbies per year
> too many.

Interesting accounting system ;-)

It's also interesting to note that in this case the newbie wasn't driven
away despite the ruccus raised by various other people that might have had
that effect.  He finally provided straight answers to a few questions, and
then started to receive meaningful help.  It was only after that he seems t=
o
have checked out.  In other words, he was apparently another drive-by
poster, although perhaps it's a little soon to tell in this case.

> Believe me (but you never do) - there are others here who will get
> newbies started on the one true road without them feeling feather
> bedded and allowed to luxuriate in laziness.

Currently I have no evidence to believe this.  If others had jumped in on a
regular basis, then there would be reason to believe it.  But they generall=
y
haven't.  In fact, you have often (quite deliberately I'm sure) jumped in t=
o
short circuit attempts I have made to educate them.  So no, I don't believe
you.

This case was a good example.  Where were all these "others" when I had to
ask repeatedly to get a few simple questions answered?  If these other
people who will edjucate newbies exist, then why didn't any of them jump in
and say "Olin asked you several questions.  Answering them would be a good
start to getting help."?  I felt (now it's my turn to have impressions) tha=
t
I was pretty much alone trying to get solid information from this OP.


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