RE: FW: Keyword on DSPF entry field

["Joe Pluta" <joepluta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> From: Wendy Thomas
>
> Joe, your post has drawn me out of the realm of the
> "lurkers" and forced me to reply.  I've been reading these
> posts for several months now and have gleaned lots of
> useful knowledge in the process.  I've been impressed with
> the way the bonafide and self-described experts respond to
> fellow developers questions and requests for help.  I read
> almost every post, even though I have over 25 years in
> this business.  To read a comment like yours above makes
> me wonder if help on this list is meant only for the
> experienced, more cerebral developer types?  Where's an
> "obvious newbie" supposed to learn, but from forums and
> user groups and lists like these, where the voice of
> experience can give that newbie the confidence to tackle
> the next bigger problem?  You were that newbie once,
> weren't you, Joe?  The tone of your comment incensed me,
> and although I know you or anyone else on this list can
> hit the Delete key and move onto posts more to your higher
> standards, I felt I needed to make my thoughts heard.

Wendy, I think you misread my intentions.  Let me explain.

I hope you notice that I didn't respond to Nelson until AFTER the second
post, wherein he had chastised the list with his comment: "C'mon, guys.
This is a real production problem we have, and I've had no responses."
Before you take me to task, I suggest you go back through your history and
find out exactly how many newbie posts I, Joe Pluta, have personally
responded to.  You'll find dozens and dozens.

In just the last few weeks, for example, I've answered what are pretty
newbie-level questions on control breaks, "making programs dynamic", and
journals.  And that's just on this list.

Taking that into consideration, and putting aside your emotions, you might
come to the common sense conclusion that I have nothing against newbie posts
in general.

Perhaps you might then take my comment about newbie posts in the spirit with
which it was intended: sometimes we on the list don't have the time to
immediately respond to every newbie post made.  I did not take exception to
the fact that Nelson made a newbie post - heck, his was a rather erudite
newbie post, if that's not too oxymoronic - but rather to his almost
immediate repost not even 24 hours later with a tone that seemed to expect a
reply.

I understand and appreciate your fervor at defending the newbie ranks, and
agree that I was one myself.  However, direct your ire at someone who
doesn't spend nearly as much time as I do answering posts, and perhaps your
time will be better spent.


Joe