I'm asking for a specific type of assistance.

[SousaWarrior9]

Long tones

[windshieldbug]

It is clear to me that you don’t actually need assistance of any kind, and that you’re just trying to rub it in!

[iiipopes]

Actually, it seems bloke does need assistance. Instead of seven paragraphs, I'm sure he could get it down to a couple of sentences by:
1) focusing the request
2) write in active voice
3) describe concisely
4) remember the audience
5) and follow the other pointers in the book.
http://www.jlakes.org/ch/web/The-elements-of-style.pdf" target="_blank

Strunk and White.jpg

[paulver]

We had one too, 'til the wheels fell off!

[Big Toot]

Actually, it seems bloke does need assistance. Instead of seven paragraphs, I'm sure he could get it down to a couple of sentences by:
1) focusing the request
2) write in active voice
3) describe concisely
4) remember the audience
5) and follow the other pointers in the book.
http://www.jlakes.org/ch/web/The-elements-of-style.pdf" target="_blank" target="_blank

Strunk and White.jpg

Strunk and White or GTFO.

[hup_d_dup]

By the way, this reminds me of another situation, quite similar although not exactly the same, but since you are asking, and since we are all here to help each other (not necessarily all of us; there are just a few but prominent exceptions – you know, the ones who are always arguing (although I admit, sometimes I find myself in that category)), I just wanted to offer some advice . . . you are of course free to accept, reject or even modify this advise . . . and after all this is the right place to offer advice.

Not that I am the type of person who is always offering advice, but on the other hand I am always available to offer advice, especially if someone such as yourself is asking for it, and sometimes I offer advice even before it is requested, and sometimes I will offer advice even though I suspect it will never be requested, because the advice is so important and the information is so accurate, and sometimes the concepts are so original, that it is just absolutely imperative that I share the knowledge with someone who needs it, even a group of people who needs it, and even perhaps everyone because everyone needs it.

Not that I want to highjack your thread, Mr. Bloke. You have raised an important, one may say critical, issue. One may even say it is an essential issue. One that deserves much more discussion, analysis, and even, introspection. Much much more. Almost endless. I see on the forum horizon many more conversations just like this one. Far, far into the future.

I think I will save the actual advice for a different time.

Hup

[timayer]

Before I respond, I will need a notarized statement providing proof that you have first conferred with your past three professors and/or teachers before I will provide any input. What have THEY told you about asking for assistance? And are you sure it isn't an assistance that can be remedied by playing a couple Bordogni etudes two octaves down?

[windshieldbug]

The second edition was MUCH better...

[iiipopes]

The second edition was MUCH better...

I agree. The book has almost become what the second edition warns against. But I couldn't find a picture of the cover of a second edition.

[Three Valves]

When did “more strict” become “stricter??”

[GC]

Runaway concision.

[MikeW]

You can get a good swing with volume 2 of the Shorter Oxford. Failing which, a detailed search of specialist book sellers will garner you a copy of the Unabridged International edition, which (when fully assembled and dropped from a well chosen vantage point) will flatten (or at last badly scare) many types of car (or to be precise, their owners).

[iiipopes]

We should settle on a consensus, so we can be scientific about this.
That having been suggested, who has the most clout - so that we might choose to use their statistics?

Bloke's own post on statistics in the "Point of Order" thread should give the answer.

[Heavy_Metal]

...but - even though I'm asking for a certain type of assistance, it would be wonderful were it that some would lecture me on how I could have avoided needing it, and if even others would offer non-effective solutions, due to the fact that I didn't type seven paragraphs (in my original request for assistance) explaining why ~only~ the type of assistance requested is what is needed.

Alexander.