let's get what we want

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lius
  • Start date Start date
When an old web article about free software for old computers is gone,
I have been grateful to find long Usenet reposts.

How much to ethically post from the web, and in what order to reply
(top, middle, bottom) are perennial Usenet debates. These usually range
from personal convenience to net.cop issues. But some world users still
pay by the minute for downloads, and yet others don't have reliable web
access. I don't think there exists a one correct way.

Having objections to a posting style, a polite question to other
readers can develop what styles push the consensus envelope in a
newsgroup. If a poster has good reason to push it, I appreciate a brief
explanation.

Hmmm, am I not the only one who's been attacked like this? I
often don't follow threads.
Click to expand...
On Apr 24, 10:55 am Sparky wrote:
I don't know how "new" you are to the whole newsgroup culture but
the traditions of </rant> and flame well pre-date Mosaic. These
traditions are freely and frequently (mis-)applied for no
apparent gain other than the pummeling of civility.
Click to expand...

Cheerful wit is the #1 best response. If the wit redirects spite to
humor, and isn't mean, it just leaves them with nothing to say. Done
really well, it LOL's the other readers. It's a comedic skill that can
be learned; read Will Rogers, Jack Kennedy, etc. Otherwise one can
"respectfully disagree" and write "sorry that you feel that way". Or
just ignore them.
99.999 percent of the time, it ain't personal. For the other
times, it's only personal inasmuch as it reflects on the poster.
Click to expand...

Even when it appears personal, there's a lot of social power in not
taking it personally. Poverty and fear of it can make folks act mean.
If they want freeware, two of many reasons could be that they can't
always pay rent, can't buy enough beer, or are worried about those
things happening if they lose their job.

That's my 0¢,
Al
 
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