My apologies

["Tim Altom" <taltom -at- simplywritten -dot- com>]

Good heavens! Please accept my apologies, my friends. I apparently had some
small part in a growing tornado.

For those who have not followed the discussions in the past few weeks,
several days ago I publicly issued a challenge to Andrew Plato to submit his
work to an impartial list member who would apply good usability testing to
validate it. I had thought to accomplish two things: to challenge Andrew's
paradigm, and to give the list members who had never seen usability testing
a glimpse into the process. It now seems that the challenge was a mistake.
Eric tried to tell me that, but I didn't listen very well, I'm afraid.

When I issued a challenge to Andrew, I did it as an optional thing, and I
hope I made it clear that I was taking no steps myself. In fact, I urged an
impartial list member to test Andrew's work. I would not under any
circumstances issue the challenge and then sit in judgment. I was, if you
will, calling him out onto the street, not to do battle with me, but to
submit to independent judgment.

Eric then slapped my wrist and insisted that such a thing go offline. I
disagreed with his decision, but he is the listowner and must be obeyed. So
I did. Admittedly, Andrew and I have since reefed close to the wind, never
quite openly expressing personal disdain, but coming within a razor's edge
of it. I have never been quite comfortable dismissing a professional
challenge. It's the bull in me, I suppose.

Now, however, Andrew having issued his own challenge, Dan has taken him up
on it and written a scathing critique. I don't know what Andrew thought
would happen when he openly put his own work on display, announced its
award-winning pedigree, and then cited it repeatedly as an example of the
work his approach can produce. Dan merely snatched the file from its
pedestal and issued his opinion, albeit a touch roughly. To my astonishment,
Andrew then threatened to file suit.

Eric will doubtless sort this out. He must decide what to do about it.
However, to the rest of this list, I have take some responsibility, I think,
for the distance this has traveled. I goaded Andrew publicly and, while I
enjoyed the jousting, I think it raised the temperature unacceptably. Eric
was right; I should have simply stopped responding to Andrew.

I hereby apologize to the rest of the list for whatever small part I may
have played in this debacle. I'm sorry I did not anticipate what the results
of my postings would have. The list's tone has changed and borderline
lurkers may have been driven further back into the shadows to avoid having
mud spattered onto them. I hope whatever help I've been to others over the
years may counterbalance the harm I've done today.


Tim Altom
Simply Written, Inc.
Featuring FrameMaker and the Clustar(TM) System
"Better communication is a service to mankind."
317.562.9298
Check our Web site for the upcoming Clustar class info
http://www.simplywritten.com



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Develop HTML-based Help with Macromedia Dreamweaver! (STC Discount.)
**NEW DATE/LOCATION!** January 16-17, 2001, New York, NY.
http://www.weisner.com/training/dreamweaver_help.htm or 800-646-9989.

Take XML and Tech Writing courses online!  Our instructor-led courses
(4-6 hrs/wk) give you "hands on" experience at your convenience. STC members
get 20% off!  http://www.online-learning.com/index.html.
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot-  Visit 
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.