[plug] wine, netscape

[Christian]

On Fri, Sep 29, 2000 at 12:55:46PM +0800, Bret Busby wrote:
 
> Perhaps, using language that can be understood by all, could reduce
> unnecessary bandwidth usage, which is used by people having to ask what
> is meant by obscure abbreviations (fundamental rule of communication -
> try to avoid jargon, as much as possible).

It's not obscure at all.  It's a very well-known acronym that's been in
use on the Internet for many, many years.  In fact, a quick search of
the PLUG archives shows its use in 41 different emails.  In fact, it was
used on this list two days ago in a thread concerning iinet that YOU
participated in.  If you'd been paying ANY attention at all then you
would have noticed it.  BTW, don't bother pleading ignorance -- it's
entirely unnecessary. 

Also a search of Altavista produces over 15,000 instances of the
acronym.  If you'd really wanted to know then you could have searched
for any of these 15,000 sites (many of which I'm sure are explanations
of the acronym).

> You should, perhaps, consider others a bit, Christian; not everyone on
> the list has either your fondness of, or familiarity with, these obscure
> abbreviations. And, after the installfest, it is possible that new
> subscribers may occur, who will, no doubt, similarly ask what these
> things mean. People should not have to use a jargon dictionary, to be
> able to use the mailing list.

You're on a technical list, you can't avoid technical acronyms.  And,
even if everyone spelt out every single acronym, for many it wouldn't go
any further to explaining the concept involved.  If you don't like it
then unsubscribe yourself and give us all a break.

> Oh, and, I understood that it was extremely bad etiquette, to "shout",
> via email, using big letters, as above. but, I may be wrong.

It's bad etiquette to shout when there is no cause.  When people have
been asking someone for many months to start using their brain just a
TINY bit when quoting messages and he STILL doesn't get it (or is just
too plain lazy) and quotes about 30 lines to add a single line question
which has been asked and answered on this list several times before then
there plenty cause to shout I would say!

And that's the real problem here, not you asking what an acronym stands
for.  You've been asked time and time again to trim your replies but you
still don't.  Why not, Bret?  Is it because you don't see why you should
expend any of your own energy in making something a little more
acceptable for others?  It's funny that you should I suggest I think
about others more when you seem to ignore their wishes at every
opportunity.