jr@inset.UUCP (Jim R Oldroyd) (11/02/85)
This article has been prompted after the recent volume of postings concerning net.internat. See also related articles: `Mailing of Votes' and `NET.INTERNAT: the VOTING' in this newsgroup. I know the initial creation of net.internat was not carried out according to correct procedure, and I have sent previous postings concerning this error to the net. I have also sent personal mail to Gene Spafford on the subject. Here are my views on the matter. Yes, I was in error. I consider that Gene was equally in error to remove the group without prior discussion on the net. I was further in error at sending personal flames at Gene via the net. SO WAS EVERYONE ELSE WHO DID SAME. The net should *not* be used in this way. In another article I mention that I received 20 flames regarding my mistake. This does NOT include a few more which contained obscene language and profanity. I should like to point out that it is not pleasant to read such comments addressed at you by a total stranger. I suppose that an amount of such material can be expected, given the situation. After all, I'm guilty too. As a recipient, one becomes blinded to any valid comments contained in such messages. And furthermore, ones' opinions change as one becomes more familiar with the situation and has time to reflect. The hastily sent remarks are then no longer valid. So listen: I you were guilty of any heated or quick messages recently, just stop and think for a moment. Wouldn't it have been better if you had taken the time to phrase your opinion in a more tactful fashion? That way, the number of identical comments to the net would also be reduced. How many times did we read the argument for observing newsgroup creation procedure this week? I got the message after the first such posting! Subsequent flames were not necessary. The net is a *large* place. Strangers will remember you by their first impressions of you. Go and re-read the `Introduction to the Net' texts in net.announce.newusers. I have. -- ++ Jim R Oldroyd ++ jr@inset.co.uk (after Jan 1, 1986. `jr@inset.UUCP' before...) ++ ..!mcvax!ukc!inset!jr