Re: TAATOOLS - List Rules

I've kept mum about the "controversy" about Al's responses to 
requests, but I feel like speaking up.

First, I have received as much help as anyone from Al. He is probably 
at least 50% of the value I find in this very useful list. His time 
is very valuable, and I am grateful that he uses it to help some of 
us here.

I think the list rules should point out the very distinct differences 
between the type of questions being asked. If a list user asks, 
"Where can I find TAATOOLS" or "Does TAATOOLS have anything in it 
that will wash my car?" or some such, these are specific questions 
that a vendor (or any other person) can answer. I don't see why these 
answers would need a disclaimer.

However, questions like "Is TAATOOLS worth the money?" or "What's the 
best source of miscellaneous tools for AS/400 
operations/programming?" are qualifying comparison questions and 
vendors or other interested parties should identify that their 
opinion might be tainted by a product relationship.

I have yet to see an instance on this list that I felt went blatantly 
out of bounds. For the most part, I feel that list users have behaved 
very well.

I also think we should keep in mind that "flaming" is a contagion. In 
order to avoid a problem where your comments are misconstrued, I 
suggest that each time we feel a post is out of bounds for reasons 
of list violation, we SHOULD NOT post such feelings to the list 
directly. We should either email the offender directly, or email the 
listmaster if the post is extremely blatant.

One last note. Those of us who have a long history of bbs/newsgroup 
usage know how badly a group can get "gunked up" with these side 
discussions of right/wrong. In most cases, even if you are absolutely 
right, you do more damage to the discussion by posting and reposting 
your "proof" than by just ignoring it.

Chris Rehm
Mr.AS400@ibm.net

How often can you afford to be unexpectedly out of business?
Get an AS/400.
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