Orton, Yves wrote: >> >> To broad-handedly cast aside the the bearer of a question's approach >> as flawed is incredibly closed minded. Pretending that you know best >> for their situation is at worst arrogant and at best naive. > > Not really, the respondant is a volunteer. Its up to them how to answer. > And if they think a posters claim that "i cant use X" is rubbish then > its their perogative to say so.
i disagree with this. it seems to be essentially the position of, 'i'm a volunteer, so i can say whatever i like -- regardless of how insulting or belittling it may be.' i agree with sam. assuming you know *why* someone is doing something a particular way (particularly when you don't agree with it) is arrogant. commenting on it after *asking* is something else again. > And frankly if someone either arrogant > or naive wants to help me in a way that doesnt really help I suspect i > would say "thanks but actually..." and not "why the hell dont you trust > me on this". After all they dont owe me anything, and if they thought > they were helping why should I care if its misguided? something explicitly labeled a rant wouldn't seem to fall into that category. :-) > Anyway, I was just responding ROUS'es somewhat rhetorical question about > why people make this kind of comment. The reason IMO is that its because > usually such comments are right on the money. what i don't like, and which is demonstrated here, is that so-called 'free' advice in these circumstances is actually nothing of the sort. the person asking the question is paying for the privilege -- either by tacitly permitting the respondents to make fun of him, or by investing lots of time in phrasing the question to avoid that. as long as the behaviour exists, both sides should be aware of the hidden cost. someone who asks a question and is made fun of learns it right away; i fear that the ones on the other side don't consciously realise the price they're exacting for their 'free' advice. -- #ken P-)} Ken Coar, Sanagendamgagwedweinini http://Ken.Coar.Org/ Author, developer, opinionist http://Apache-Server.Com/ "Millennium hand and shrimp!"
