Klarinet Archive - Posting 000142.txt from 1998/02

From: Mark Charette <charette@-----.com>
Subj: Re: How _not_ to ask for help
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 1998 14:25:58 -0500

Buckman, Nancy wrote:
> This is not in any way meant to demean you or the service that you
> provide to the list, however there have been times when I have wanted
> information which I am sure is available in the archives that I am not
> certain how to access. I am afraid of getting "a snippy response" if I
> ask how, so I just don't bother.

Trust me - if you're having problems or can't understand how to use
the archive database I'm more than willing to help. You'd only get
a snippy response if you asked:

"Hey - I want you to search the database for me ..."

I'm one of those teachers (and have been, lierally) who expects someone
to try things out and do a little research before asking a question.
I'll
probably then point them to an instruction sheet and give them an
example,
and then, when _that's_ clear as mud, write a long e-mail explanation.
I _enjoy_ sharing the computer knowledge I have, as most people here
are so willing to share their clarinet knowledge. Personally, I think
it's an unfair exchange, with most of the benefit coming to my side ...

> Maybe it wasn't obvious to you, but I don't think the writer of that
> post understood the meaning of the word infamous. It sounded to me like
> he meant to say famous and just has his vocabulary mixed up.
>
That was obvious. But, he tried to explain the word "famous" to me on
the reply. When someone makes what I think is an incongrous remark to
me, I stop, think, and maybe look the word up again. Once in a
_great_ while :) I mess up meanings.

> The point is just that e-mail doesn't always imply what is meant to be
> said. I hope I didn't hurt your feelings - this is just another
> viewpoint. Thanks for all you do for Klarinet.

Typed words are easier to scan and re-write than spoken, so
I probably expect that they'd be more concise. The benefit and
drawback of e-mail is it's soooo easy to write and mail - and if
you have a good connection that "Stop" button doesn't.

As to hurting my feelings - what, you think I have feelings? :^)
I'm pretty thick skinned, more viewpoints are always welcome, and
thanks for thanks.
--
Mark Charette, Webmaster - http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet
Web/Personal - charette@-----.org
Business - charette@-----.com
"There's already an educational TV channel - it's called 'off'."
Lily Henderson, age 11