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Why not just answer questions here?



 
 
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  #1  
Old March 18th 09, 02:07 AM posted to alt.collecting.pens-pencils
bowcan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 23
Default Why not just answer questions here?

Hi everyone,

Not trolling, just curious since I frequent FPN & have no compliants against
it.

(Just prefer to have more than one source of information & a.c.p-p is easier
sometimes.)

But I've noticed a trend here.

Someone posts a question & reply comes back:

"Dear So&So. Why not head over to FPN? They can answer all your
questions."

The advice is no doubt well meant, but (as header implies) why not just
answer the questions *here* rather than *there*!

A matter of convenience & some of us dinosaurs still like Use-Net format
where we can easily see 'trees' and topics don't tend to get "lost in the
shuffle" as can sometimes happen on busy html bordz.

thx!

--Bruce a.k.a 'Penseé' at FPN


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  #2  
Old March 18th 09, 07:25 AM posted to alt.collecting.pens-pencils
Aaron W. Hsu[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 62
Default Why not just answer questions here?

"bowcan" writes:

But I've noticed a trend here.


Someone posts a question & reply comes back:


"Dear So&So. Why not head over to FPN? They can answer all your
questions."


The advice is no doubt well meant, but (as header implies) why not just
answer the questions *here* rather than *there*!


I think it is someone who thinks FPN is better, and is trying to get
more traffic for them; I do not know whether they are official spammers
or not. :-) Whatever the case may be, he is *very* annoying.

A matter of convenience & some of us dinosaurs still like Use-Net format
where we can easily see 'trees' and topics don't tend to get "lost in the
shuffle" as can sometimes happen on busy html bordz.


I frequent here for most of my pen information, and I find it plenty
useful. I don't like web based forums. I think maybe I'll start spamming
them asking them why they don't head over here to give their responses.
How do you think that would go over? ;-)

--
Aaron W. Hsu | http://www.sacrideo.us
"Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to
live at the expense of everybody else." -- Frederic Bastiat
+++++++++++++++ ((lambda (x) (x x)) (lambda (x) (x x))) ++++++++++++++
  #3  
Old March 18th 09, 07:30 AM posted to alt.collecting.pens-pencils
Aaron W. Hsu[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 62
Default Why not just answer questions here?

"l, not -l" writes:

On 17-Mar-2009, "bowcan" wrote:


Because "here" is pretty much a dead end; the vast majority of the
online pen community find FPN, PenTrace and Zoss to be superior. This
newsgroup was never especially active or important to the hobby; but,
Frank Dubiel kept it useful until his death. Most folks who come here
with questions do so because it is the first thing they stumble upon
and it does them a disservice to keep them in this back-water rather
than send them to one or more of the major communication hubs of our
hobby.


And it does the community a disservice to purposefully try to shun a
particular form of communication. This forum is plenty useful, and would
be more useful still if people wouldn't believe that the party is
somewhere else. The party is where you make it.

Now, the most useless and detrimental thing I think one can do here is
to suggest that everyone head elsewhere for their information,
especially after claiming that their question is answered somewher
else. If they know that the answer lies somewhere else, they could link
to it here so that the rest of use could see the information directly.
Better yet, they could quote the relevant parts with proper attribution
and we wouldn't have to go to the original site if we didn't need to.
This would let some of us avoid clunky web forums and would promote more
free information flow within the community.

Some of us monitor this group simply from inertia; others, because they
are unwelcome in the main venues.


And others still, because they actually want to be able to get their
information through Usenet, rather than from some clunky web forum.
--
Aaron W. Hsu | http://www.sacrideo.us
"Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to
live at the expense of everybody else." -- Frederic Bastiat
+++++++++++++++ ((lambda (x) (x x)) (lambda (x) (x x))) ++++++++++++++
  #4  
Old March 18th 09, 09:40 AM posted to alt.collecting.pens-pencils
AndyH
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 38
Default Why not just answer questions here?

On Mar 18, 1:07*am, "bowcan" wrote:
Hi everyone,

Not trolling, just curious since I frequent FPN & have no compliants against
it.

(Just prefer to have more than one source of information & a.c.p-p is easier
sometimes.)

But I've noticed a trend here.

Someone posts a question & reply comes back:

"Dear So&So. *Why not head over to FPN? *They can answer all your
questions."

The advice is no doubt well meant, but (as header implies) why not just
answer the questions *here* rather than *there*!

A matter of convenience & some of us dinosaurs still like Use-Net format
where we can easily see 'trees' and topics don't tend to get "lost in the
shuffle" as can sometimes happen on busy html bordz.

thx!

--Bruce a.k.a 'Penseé' at FPN


Inertia for me I'm afraid. I just never got around to unsubscribing
from here. FPN has everything I need and there is considerably less
spam over there.

Anyway, no time like the present to unsubscribe. I didn't have much
to say here, but thanks anyway to those that listened and answered.

Best wishes for the future.
  #5  
Old March 18th 09, 01:06 PM posted to alt.collecting.pens-pencils
Jimmy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 35
Default Why not just answer questions here?

"bowcan" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone,

Not trolling, just curious since I frequent FPN & have no compliants
against it.

(Just prefer to have more than one source of information & a.c.p-p is
easier sometimes.)

But I've noticed a trend here.

Someone posts a question & reply comes back:

"Dear So&So. Why not head over to FPN? They can answer all your
questions."

The advice is no doubt well meant, but (as header implies) why not
just answer the questions *here* rather than *there*!

A matter of convenience & some of us dinosaurs still like Use-Net
format where we can easily see 'trees' and topics don't tend to get
"lost in the shuffle" as can sometimes happen on busy html bordz.

thx!


Why not, indeed?

I like the clear, plain text format of usenet. The web forums, including
FPN, seem more cumbersome to me.

"Responses" here advertising FPN are getting perilously close to spam,
IMHO. I wonder what the reaction would be, if I constantly promoted
a.c.p-p this way on FPN?

If FPN want to advertise here, fair enough; I don't mind. I would prefer
to see a simple ad, with short explanation and URL, posted every week or
two.

--
Alan


  #6  
Old March 18th 09, 03:12 PM posted to alt.collecting.pens-pencils
The Visitor
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 25
Default Why not just answer questions here?



Aaron W. Hsu wrote:

Whatever the case may be, he is *very* annoying.


What I did was set my reader to delete all messages from that sender.
Now I don't see them.

John

  #7  
Old March 18th 09, 11:54 PM posted to alt.collecting.pens-pencils
bowcan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 23
Default Why not just answer questions here?


"l, not -l" wrote in message
...

On 17-Mar-2009, "bowcan" wrote:

But I've noticed a trend here.

Someone posts a question & reply comes back:

"Dear So&So. Why not head over to FPN? They can answer all your
questions."

The advice is no doubt well meant, but (as header implies) why not just
answer the questions *here* rather than *there*!


Because "here" is pretty much a dead end; the vast majority of the online
pen community find FPN, PenTrace and Zoss to be superior. This newsgroup
was never especially active or important to the hobby; but, Frank Dubiel
kept it useful until his death. Most folks who come here with questions
do
so because it is the first thing they stumble upon and it does them a
disservice to keep them in this back-water rather than send them to one or
more of the major communication hubs of our hobby.

Some of us monitor this group simply from inertia; others, because they
are
unwelcome in the main venues.

--
Change Cujo to Juno in email address.


Hmmm... Some strongly worded categorical statements that could
misinterpreted as ad hominim attacks against this group, but I'm sure that
wasn't your intent.

Hadn't heard of Zoss & will have to check them out.

thx for reply

--Bruce

bbo429icATgmail.com
change a vowel to an imaginary number (nothing) for vaild addy


  #8  
Old March 19th 09, 01:59 AM posted to alt.collecting.pens-pencils
bowcan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 23
Default Why not just answer questions here?


"Jimmy" wrote in message
...
"bowcan" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone,

Not trolling, just curious since I frequent FPN & have no compliants
against it.

(Just prefer to have more than one source of information & a.c.p-p is
easier sometimes.)

But I've noticed a trend here.

Someone posts a question & reply comes back:

"Dear So&So. Why not head over to FPN? They can answer all your
questions."

The advice is no doubt well meant, but (as header implies) why not just
answer the questions *here* rather than *there*!

A matter of convenience & some of us dinosaurs still like Use-Net format
where we can easily see 'trees' and topics don't tend to get "lost in the
shuffle" as can sometimes happen on busy html bordz.

thx!


Why not, indeed?

I like the clear, plain text format of usenet. The web forums, including
FPN, seem more cumbersome to me.

"Responses" here advertising FPN are getting perilously close to spam,
IMHO. I wonder what the reaction would be, if I constantly promoted
a.c.p-p this way on FPN?

If FPN want to advertise here, fair enough; I don't mind. I would prefer
to see a simple ad, with short explanation and URL, posted every week or
two.

--
Alan


A couple of thoughts:
Is it me, or do I read a sense of rivalry & even *disdain* in some of
replies to this topic?

We all share the same hobby, so (as someone suggested) why not just reply to
questions & include a links?

-----
Example:
"I found this pen at garage sale? It says Waterman Ideal on it & has the
number 12 on the bottom. How do I put ink in it?"
----
Run-around reply:
"You have a Waterman #12 eye-dropper. Why not head on over to favorite html
board? Plenty of folks there who can answer your question!"
----
Better reply (imho):
"You found a Waterman #12 pen that's known as an 'eye-dropper filler.' Just
unscrew part near the nib, get an eyedropper or pipette, & then put w/ink
into the body of pen. (A little paraffin or silicone might be a good idea
for threads/ink fingers!) For more info. on Waterman pens, here are some
links: FPN, Pentrace, Lion & Pen, etc. etc.

I believe 2nd reply would be more convenient for people who might just be
after "quick question / quick answer" while also letting them know where
they can find out more if interested.

Unless I'm mistaken, "FPN at mailinator.com" isn't the only person who
appears to be directing people away from here. That was my whole point in
attempting to open up a civil discussion of why I seem to be reading a
number of 're-directs" for lack of a better word.

I think there's plenty of room for both use-net & html forums!

Peace!

--Bruce

bbo429icATgmail.com
change a vowel to an imaginary number (nothing) for valid addy




  #9  
Old March 19th 09, 09:29 PM posted to alt.collecting.pens-pencils
Jimmy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 35
Default Why not just answer questions here?

"bowcan" wrote in message
...

"Jimmy" wrote in message
...
"bowcan" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone,

Not trolling, just curious since I frequent FPN & have no compliants
against it.

(Just prefer to have more than one source of information & a.c.p-p
is easier sometimes.)

But I've noticed a trend here.

Someone posts a question & reply comes back:

"Dear So&So. Why not head over to FPN? They can answer all your
questions."

The advice is no doubt well meant, but (as header implies) why not
just answer the questions *here* rather than *there*!

A matter of convenience & some of us dinosaurs still like Use-Net
format where we can easily see 'trees' and topics don't tend to get
"lost in the shuffle" as can sometimes happen on busy html bordz.

thx!


Why not, indeed?

I like the clear, plain text format of usenet. The web forums,
including FPN, seem more cumbersome to me.

"Responses" here advertising FPN are getting perilously close to
spam, IMHO. I wonder what the reaction would be, if I constantly
promoted a.c.p-p this way on FPN?

If FPN want to advertise here, fair enough; I don't mind. I would
prefer to see a simple ad, with short explanation and URL, posted
every week or two.

snipped embedded sig

A couple of thoughts:
Is it me, or do I read a sense of rivalry & even *disdain* in some of
replies to this topic?

We all share the same hobby, so (as someone suggested) why not just
reply to questions & include a links?

-----
Example:
"I found this pen at garage sale? It says Waterman Ideal on it & has
the number 12 on the bottom. How do I put ink in it?"
----
Run-around reply:
"You have a Waterman #12 eye-dropper. Why not head on over to
favorite html board? Plenty of folks there who can answer your
question!"
----
Better reply (imho):
"You found a Waterman #12 pen that's known as an 'eye-dropper filler.'
Just unscrew part near the nib, get an eyedropper or pipette, & then
put w/ink into the body of pen. (A little paraffin or silicone might
be a good idea for threads/ink fingers!) For more info. on Waterman
pens, here are some links: FPN, Pentrace, Lion & Pen, etc. etc.

I believe 2nd reply would be more convenient for people who might just
be after "quick question / quick answer" while also letting them know
where they can find out more if interested.

Unless I'm mistaken, "FPN at mailinator.com" isn't the only person who
appears to be directing people away from here. That was my whole point
in attempting to open up a civil discussion of why I seem to be
reading a number of 're-directs" for lack of a better word.

I think there's plenty of room for both use-net & html forums!

Peace!

--Bruce


Sometimes it's difficult to read the "tone" of a civil posting; what
looks like rivalry or disdain of usenet could just be enthusiasm for
insert somebody's favourite web forum.

I agree with your comment about the style of replies. It's better to put
in *optional* redirection and a proper reply, than try to coerce the OP
to visit some website.

It works both ways; if I had to reply to something on a web forum, I'd
post a real reply. Then I would add "This was discussed on a.c.p-p
recently", if it applied.

I read Pentrace and FPN from time to time, and they're both very useful
resources. When I try to follow a thread, though, the user interfaces
remind me of Google Groups. Usenet through a real news reader is easy to
navigate, tidy and quick.

--
Alan


  #10  
Old March 21st 09, 02:04 PM posted to alt.collecting.pens-pencils
bowcan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 23
Default Why not just answer questions here?


"Jimmy" wrote in message
...
snip for brevity

Sometimes it's difficult to read the "tone" of a civil posting; what looks
like rivalry or disdain of usenet could just be enthusiasm for insert
somebody's favourite web forum.


If so, then why no replies to both myself and "Aaron W. Hsu"? Infer
individual is not interested in explaining himself which fits a certain
profile.

I also find it interesting that rather than just type "Have you tried a
hairdryer yet?" (to most recent question) I see a "redirect" from same
individual. At least he's consistant! ; )

I agree with your comment about the style of replies. It's better to put
in *optional* redirection and a proper reply, than try to coerce the OP to
visit some website.

It works both ways; if I had to reply to something on a web forum, I'd
post a real reply. Then I would add "This was discussed on a.c.p-p
recently", if it applied.

I read Pentrace and FPN from time to time, and they're both very useful
resources. When I try to follow a thread, though, the user interfaces
remind me of Google Groups. Usenet through a real news reader is easy to
navigate, tidy and quick.


Yes, "quick question / quick answer", in an easy to see format. Guess it's
just a matter of personal preference.

Since I'm active at FPN, I donated and am fairly active there. Had no real
complaints against it. Until now, but we're talking about two people
(possibly one + sockpuppet or new ID) out of almost 22 thousand members!

I agree with Mr. Hsu. No form of communication should be belittled or
stiffled-- however noble ones motivation might appear.

That said, since nothing I post will change anyones behavior-- senseless to
continue to make an issue of it! ; )

"Let sleeping dogs lie"

Enjoy your weekend

--Bruce


 




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