> On Wed, 30 Mar 2005, Thomas Cameron wrote: > > > So I guess there's no room for tolerance of other people's > > preferences? I mean, really - is it *that* hard to follow a thread > > that is top-posted? Is it *really* worth getting so worked up over? > > argh. using *exactly* that same logic, i can turn around and ask, is > there no room for people to adjust to fit the standard operating > behaviour of the list? is it *that* hard to configure your mailer to > do the right thing? is it *really* worth getting so worked up over > adapting to what is clearly common list etiquette? > > don't ask the question unless you can answer it. > > rday > > p.s. if you've never heard of the "broken window" syndrome, let me > recommend googling and taking a quick read. I am a newbie on this list, a newbie to linux and even a Norwegian. As disadvantaged as it can get. This is my first posting, and I try to get it right. Why? I view this list as a tool created by others. I wish to use this tool to my benefit. As I view it, the way this tool works has already been defined. It is for my own good to observe this, and try to adhere to this. This preserves the function of the tool. Should I, for some reason, wish to deviate from the way things work here, I will contribute to nothing but the degeneration of the very tool I wished to benefit from in the first place. I work in the oil industry, and if we have a lot of something, it is tools. I have from time to time been made furious by the disrespect shown by some when they use tools. Because some tools are used by many, they must not be tampered with without the consent of the many. If the tool is used only by one person, he may obviously tamper with it as much as he likes. But of not, I find the tamperer to disregard the needs of his fellow users. Worst case scenario being the tool unusable to all but the tamperer. It is my opinion that people using this list should initially observe the way the list works. If it is unsatisfactory, a discussion like this may change it. Blatant disregard will only mess things up. In cases like this, I think the will of the one must bow for the will of the many. If this is a problem; find another tool or make one yourself. - Janton
