Doug wrote a long message, so I have to snip...
Doug Brewer wrote:
On Feb 8, 2006, at 10:59 PM, Rob Studdert wrote:
On 8 Feb 2006 at 21:42, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
In a message dated 2/8/2006 6:24:07 PM Pacific Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
If anything Marco and/or Pentax Canada owes those who took the time to
inquire and/or contribute an apology for not having their act
together.
Tom C.
=======
You're beginning to approach JCO's record for remaking the same
point over
and over.
Except he's correct.
Unfortunately, Rob, Tom is not correct.
Unfortunately, Doug, I partly agree with Tom; only partly because
whoever sent the abusive messages is most to blame for the
subsequent fall-out.
The "partly" is because I agree, with several others, that the
request for photographs was not made in a particularly
professional fashion, nor was the subsequent rejection of those
who took the trouble to submit images.
The key phrase (for me) in the reply sent to those who submitted
was: "We received great images but due to the problems it has
been decided that it is more trouble that it is worth."
As Tom C said, the "more trouble than it is worth" is not a
particularly gracious response to those who submitted images for
FREE for Pentax to use in promoting its products. I can't speak
for others, but mine were sent with no strings attached, so I
have difficulty seeing what the "trouble" is here.
The message did say, twice, "thanks" to those who submitted
images and, as a consequence, I am interpreting "more trouble
than it is worth" AS JUST AN UNFORTUNATE CHOICE OF PHRASE. I
think the poor guy just got caught in the middle of something he
did not anticipate. (I, on the other hand, having been on lists
and read newsgroups for over a decade am not in the least
surprised about the whole shemozzle.)
[snip]
And then, to have the whole thing blow up because some list members
apparently don't have the good sense and respect to write civil
inquiries just shocks and saddens me. Adding insult to injury, now
there is a hue and cry that someone Pentax Canada owes them an apology.
No. No. No.
I don't call anyone a jackass and then demand an apology for my doing so.
To the best of my knowledge Tom C didn't send abusive letters to
Pentax, nor did I. On the other hand, as I said before, the
people who are most at fault are those who sent the abusive
messages in the first place.
The actions of a few members have given the PDML a black eye, and I am
ashamed of it. Someone owes the list an apology, and it damn sure
isn't Pentax Canada.
It might help if, in situations like this, people didn't refer to
the PDML as if it was some independent entity.
According to the suspicions of some (I've seen no definite proof)
and Doug's belief (as stated above), some of the abusive messages
were sent by people subscribed to the PDML list. If such
individuals apologised to the list (highly unlikely), they would
also be apologising to themselves! 8-) For giving themselves a
black eye? 8-) This is all a bit convoluted for me.
Some people, possibly or probably subscribed to PDML (depending
on your belief and access to the relevant messages), violated the
norms of civil behaviour by sending abusive messages.
The rest of us (presumably) condemn such behaviour and at least
some of us are disappointed at the outcome of this.
On the other hand (I'm up to about six hands so far!), such abuse
is not uncommon (I've experienced it, although not that often),
and it is odd for a corporation to decide to pick up its ball and
go home because of it.
My conclusions, for what (not a lot) they are worth:
Was the original request made in a professional manner? Could
have been handled better.
Did the requester deserve to get abused for it? Definitely not.
Was the response and subsequent reply to those who sent images
made in a professional manner? Could have been handled better.
Does the PDML list deserve an apology? The list is not an entity.
Do the subscribers to the PDML list deserve an apology? Those who
did not send abusive messages have a reasonable case for thinking so.
Does Marco deserve an apology? Yes.
Do I want an apology? I have better things to worry about.
Does Tom C deserve an apology? Oh...I hear the kids calling; I'll
have to sign off now... 8-)
Keith McG
Secure in the knowledge that he is several thousand km away from
any other subscribers to PDML...!
