nanook@ankh.UUCP (Keith Dickinson) (09/21/88)
I'm sure that your expecting some kind of appology and/or retraction for a
message that I posted to the network not to long ago...
I'm sorry but your not going to get it! :)
A couple of weeks ago I posted a notice about an article that I read in
the paper about a boy named David and his request for postcards. I
placed a message over the net to that effect and I'm sure that everyone
has seen the result.
I'm not here to retract and/or appologise for the posting because the
post was for real. I have since verified the fact (spending several
hours dialing long distance) with the Florida Childrens Wish Come True
foundation (my origional posting was in error on that part). I spoke to
a woman named Francess Keefe [(904) 596-4230] who did the favor of
actualy tracking down the originator of the story. After calling long
distance to England, Mrs. Keefe talked to the Headmistress at the school
where David had all of his mail sent to. The Headmistress confirmed that
David was for real, and he had recieved enough mail to get himself
entered into the book. Since I have verified the story (you are invited
to call Mrs. Keefe your self!) I refuse to appologise and/or retract the
origional posting due to content.
[By the way... The David program has been going for about six months, so
that poor sod that got the **** flamed out of him about two months ago
was probably on the level!]
I _DO_ appologise for posting it in those areas that were not related to
the subject. Of the 150+ letters that I got, less than 10 were to inform
me that I was in error as to where the post belonged (and were civil
about it).
I will warn you now, that I will be posting further requests for
donations of items by the Florida Childs Wish Come True foundation in
the appropriate news groups. One example is a boy who would like to be
on a "Big Bass Fishing" show... That will obviously go to rec.fishing
(or whatever). If anyone disagrees with those postings is envited to
e-mail their opinions to me at my new address of nanook@anhk.UUCP
-----------------
SINCE I have your attention (I hope), I would like to bring up some
related subjects that I have noticed during the "let's flame Nanook"
period of my limited Usenet career.
1) Flames. I have found the actions of several people who sent me mail
rather below the gutter. There is NO NEED to EVER send mail of such abusive
and/or foul language content to ANY poster regardless of their post.
I _CAN_ understand you sending mail to their ROOT or POSTMASTER
requesting that their mail privileges be removed, but NEVER should there be
any messages of the intensity of that which I received. There is an FCC act
that regulates 'profanity' over any broadcast medium. This includes data
transmitted via the phone line. I am aware of this because of a message I
sent someone that was brought to my attention VIA a "nice" letter from the
FCC. I estimate that of the 150+ messages that I received over 100 of them
would classify as being a breach of this act.
Again I say that there is NEVER any cause for such abuse of ANY user of
the network.
2) What should & should not be posted. Many of the people explained to me
that what I posted is almost never acceptable on the network... I
understand that now. Unfortunately the documentations on Portal has been
rather slim in that area (or maybe hard to find...). I'm not placing blame
on Portal understand, it's simply a fact that HELPED this to happen. Since
then I have gotten a document on "Manners" that I forwarded to the Portal
authorities that should help Portal users to avoid most of the 'common'
Usenet blunders that have been seen. (NOTE: Portal has posted the
Manners doccument since I origionaly drafted this note and it is
in an area that REQUIRES the user to be subscribed. There is no reason
for anyone on portal who uses the networks to not see the doccument
now.) If anyone out there would like a copy, I'll be glad to foreward
you a copy via E-Mail if you so wish.
3) Helpful suggestions. I think that I got 3 suggestions that could
possibly be considered helpful (without attempting to 'blackmail' me into
doing it, that is). The most helpful was one provided by pax@ankh.ftl.fl.us
who gave me the aforementioned manual on Manners. It is because of his help and
support that I manage to write this message with in a calm mood as this
entire episode had disturbed me greatly.
All in all I think that I have learned much due to this misunderstanding.
I also believe that may other users will also learn from my mistake.
I have a few suggestions to the Usenet community:
1) Show tolerance with someone unless you can PROVE that they are
pulling some kind of hoax intentionally.
2) There is no need to be abusive. If someone makes a mistake there is no
reason to be abusive. I don't see how referring to someone as a
"complete idiot that probably can't even wipe his ass after a shit"
or any of the other "quaint" descriptions I've received. A simple
message saying that the David thing was a hoax would be suffice.
3) A little constructive criticism is always helpful, IF offered in a
manner that does not come under #2 above. I appreciate comments on
my posting and always reply (it may bounce, but I reply).
4) Stop associating systems with users... Just cause JJ (ugh) and I
happen to come from Portal doesn't mean that EVERYONE on Portal
is a complete idiot and/or a computer phreek. What if a couple of
people from SUN screwed up, would you say that everyone from SUN
was a complete idiot and demand that SUN be removed from the net??
I've put in my $.02 worth. If you've got any responses (that fit all
4 of the above criteria), then PLEASE feel free to send me mail as I would
ENJOY getting some constructive criticism!
By the way. Note the new PRIMARY address... Since portal is charging for
storage I'm requesting that ALL mail concerning this go to nanook@ankh.ftl.fl.us
unless it bounces.
Thank you for your attention & bandwith!
Still smoldering from the flames! :)
Nanook of the South
nanook@ankh.ftl.fl.us
nanook@cup.portal.com
nanook@megasys.FIDONET.ORG
'It's amazing how many people get most of their exercise exclusively from
jumping to conclusions'
wisner@killer.DALLAS.TX.US (Bill Wisner) (09/21/88)
> What if a couple of > people from SUN screwed up, would you say that everyone from SUN > was a complete idiot and demand that SUN be removed from the net?? We already have. In comp.mail.uucp. :-) :-) :-) (oh dear, three of them)
brad@looking.UUCP (Brad Templeton) (09/21/88)
The point is missed here. There is far more to consider than whether an article is true or not. There are many true postings that are big mistakes. Try posting the "string" joke to rec.humor. Or talk about the boy dying of cancer. Or discuss Star Wars in sci.space. Or discuss abortion in soc.women. Or announce that Gretzky was traded in rec.sport.hockey. Before doing something like this one should check first. Making a posting of that nature will eventually, with all the followups, waste dozens of hours of people's time, and about $15/message in communications cost. Before doing this, it is a good courtesy to check first! Check with a neighbour. Check with a knowledgeable user you have noticed in the group. Check with your site admin. Read the "commonly asked" document. -- Brad Templeton, Looking Glass Software Ltd. -- Waterloo, Ontario 519/884-7473
jane@tolerant.UUCP (Jane Medefesser) (09/22/88)
In article <621@ankh.UUCP> nanook@ankh.UUCP (Keith Dickinson) writes: >I'm sure that your expecting some kind of appology and/or retraction for a >message that I posted to the network not to long ago... > >I'm sorry but your not going to get it! :) [ etc...] Well, you have to admire Keith Dickinson for coming forth with his REAL name and justifying his posting when he thought it was appropriate. You don't have to like the content of his postings, but at least he was willing to make the effort to show he was sincere and not trying to pull off a hoax. No appology needed when no actual wrong doing went down... ============================================ (*Look, ma - no offensive quotes!!!*) Jane Medefesser uucp: {pyramid,mordor,oliveb,ucbvax}!tolerant!jane Usenet Administrator (among other things) Tolerant Systems San Jose, Ca 95134
jmj@mhuxu.UUCP (J. M. Johnson) (09/26/88)
In article <621@ankh.UUCP>, nanook@ankh.UUCP (Keith Dickinson) writes:
=
= I'm sure that your expecting some kind of appology and/or retraction for a
= message that I posted to the network not to long ago...
=
= I'm sorry but your not going to get it! :)
=
(very good explanation left out)
Kudos! Keith. Put their feet where their mouths are.
--
:-{) Remember, no matter where you go, there you are! (Pig Killer) (}-:
J. M. Johnson, AT&T Bell Laboratories, Reading, PA ...!att!mhuxu!jmj