On Sun, 11 Nov 2012 23:21:06 -0600, Bruce Hill wrote: > If we also stick to helping someone with their problem, and refrain from > replying about how bad or useless we think an app or ideal might be to > us, we could avoid flame wars.
Unfortunately, there are times when it is necessary to point out how bad an idea is in order to help someone. Recent example: the suggestion to use dd to copy one drive to another with a different block size. While this may have worked for the person suggesting it, it is a bad idea in general and refraining from stating that could have resulted n problems for someone following that advice. Surely stating the merits or otherwise of an idea is a core element of discussion, and discussion is what this list is about. On the topic of swearing, some consider it "bad language", as you do, and I respect that view. Others consider it a means of expression (others seem to use it for punctuation, but no one is defending that). There are times that some words can add emotion or emphasis to a statement, especially when used rarely, but on a list like this there is generally little or no need for it. However, not all users of this list are native-English speakers and other cultures see use of such language different - one only has to look at the comments made on the podium of the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, made by professional drivers who are paid not to offend. -- Neil Bothwick And on the seventh day God said :wq and then make
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