[news.groups] Practicing What I Just Preached

jeffd@ficc.uu.net (Jeff Daiell) (01/23/90)

  Since I just called for postings expressing good impressions,
let me begin with two.

  One is of Bill Wells.  I've noted before that he sometimes
shows too much temper --- but he also consistently posts
helpful articles, especially of value to new users (postings
which demonstrate, BTW, the distinction between benevolence and
altruism).  In fact, in the groups I subscribe to, he is among
the most frequent dispensers of practical assistance.   It's
one thing to respond angrily to a flame, and another to sniff
"RTFM" to a lost soul:  so go ahead and knock him for the former;
I'll give him thumbs-up for a better approach to knowledge-seekers
than the latter.

  The second is of Karen Valentino.  Even when I disagree with her,
I am impressed by her grace, goodwill, and writing style.  The very
first posting of hers that I read (about why R'ing TFM might not be
the best thing for a new user) was perhaps the nicest, most reasonsed
posting I've seen in all the months I've been netting.   She has also
shown a sense of humor and a willingness to respond to disagreement
with nonhostile rebuttal.  

    
Jeff Daiell

PS - This is being sent to news.groups because that is where several
     of the calls for a reduction in flames have appeard.


-- 
  If a hungry man has water, and a thirsty man has bread,
  Then if they trade, be not dismayed, they both come out ahead.

                                   -- Don Paarlberg