Bill's Forum Rules

[LoyalTubist]

Agreed, Jim. Agreed!

[LoyalTubist]

You have just shown what kind of man you are. Not just to me but to all of TubeNet.

I told you in a PM (that's PRIVATE message, not PUBLIC message) some things that you put on the open forum.

There was an article two weeks ago (7/31/2007) in USA Today which explained how rude the forums are getting. You exemplify that article.

Lighten up?

Well, guys... should I?

[TMurphy]

I just know I am going to regret this post eventually, but here it goes....

Bill, I enjoy your posts most of the time. You offer in interesting insight into a culture most of us don't know, and I appreciate that. But I really think, honestly, you are a bit out of line here.

viewtopic.php?t=16622

That is the thread you mentioned in your first post. If you'll notice, there are plenty of people other than Doc adding advice (note, it's advice, and not rules). Just because you start a thread, does not mean you get control over what other people post in response.

Bob's post was (in my eyes) a not-so-subtle way of calling out percieved rudeness on your part. It was not a very polite way to do it, but it was done. You sent him a PM, then you posted on the forum (a post which totally contradicted your own rule #1). Then, in response, you brought up the PM. The whole thing should've occured in PMs, if you really wanted it to stay private.

And Bob...you seem like a geniunely nice guy, if a bit overzealous. It might help you to put on the "filter" before you post, from time to time. My post count would be a lot higher if I responded to every post I wanted to (I'd make more posts I shouldn't, like this one. )


EVERYONE is less than polite, from time to time. The key is, as a community, even an internet one, not to harp on it and snipe each other. Someone screwed up, and if it's a big enough screw up, you deal with it, and move on. None of this petty back-and-forth nonsense.

Now, come on....back to the important discussion....should I get my beer glass lacquered, or silver-plated???

[Rick Denney]

Well, guys... should I?

Yes.

If you send me a PM that attacks me on the basis that my comment contradicts the notion that free speech may have consequences, I would be strongly tempted to respond in a way that tests your own ability to accept those consequences.

Rick "seeing no less obligation to be respectful in private messages than in public postings" Denney

[LoyalTubist]

I never posted a PM on a forum and I will never do it. Maybe it's naivete on my part. Yeah...

[kegmcnabb]

Careful! On this board that kind of talk will get you labeled as a "spelling Nazi!"

That said...I agree with you! Learn to spell, kids!:evil:

Perhaps I should say "kids of all ages!"

The reason it will get you labeled thus is because it's rude. Would you correct pronunciation when chatting with friends at a social gathering? I would hope not.

Absolutely Rick, I couldn't agree with you more but if you look at the post I (nor Bill in the original post, though I don't presume to speak for him) am not pointing a finger at anyone in particular. The point is simply that language is important and one's use and command of that language is the first impression one makes on a board such as this. Care should be taken.

We all take shortcuts. We all type too fast and then hit the submit button. We all make mistakes. In a discussion on mouthpieces I once mispelled bowls as bowels, much to the hilarity of all. Were other posters rude in pointing that out? I don't think so.

As an educator I have parents upset when I give a lesser grade to students who don't bother to spell correctly. I mean, I know that they are only music classes, but come on..at least make an effort. It does reflect on you and it does affect how people come to look at you.

I also realize that this board has many, many posters of different ages and education levels, many for whom English is not their first language, and some who may have other issues related to spelling. To point out their individual spelling shortcomings would indeed be rude and I hope that I would never do that. If, however, making a general statement that as a group we might try to learn to spell is rude then, as the kids say today...my bad.

Now that I have taken up way too (oops, almost wrote "to") much time on this I will take this opportunity to apologize for the bandwidth taken and suggest we move to another thread and talk something more substantial...food, maybe.

[kegmcnabb]

There was no point to moving my post from the one thread in Feedback into this thread. It served no purpose.

Is this addressed to me? If so, I am not sure I understand.

I was simply making (what I thought was) a humorous observation that some people on the board (and not just in the thread you reference) seem to get upset when it is suggested that a little care might be used in spelling and posting. I vaguely remembered the reference to "Spelling Nazi" and threw it in.

Obviously, my attempt at humor failed. I apologize. I stand by my opinion on the matter, but certainly had no intention of upsetting anyone.

On an aside, it does seem that the board is a little irritable lately. More beer...more food!

[Rick Denney]

We all take shortcuts. We all type too fast and then hit the submit button. We all make mistakes. In a discussion on mouthpieces I once mispelled bowls as bowels, much to the hilarity of all. Were other posters rude in pointing that out? I don't think so.

There is a difference between throwing someone under the bus for an amusing faux pas and correcting their spelling and grammar. We all the know the difference. Even the corrected person knows the difference. Nobody every complained about that (at least, not seriously.)

But that isn't what I was talking about, and we all know that, too.

I've gone into English Teacher mode myself a time or two, and gotten ripped for it. And deservedly so.

Rick "also a teacher, of people whose command of the language is worst of all: adult engineers" Denney

[iiipopes]

OK, now that the hot summer has caused venting bordering on forum flatulence, just where is that picture of the guy looking at the tuba bell full of beer?