Most Important Programs to Learn

[Steven Owens <uso01 -at- MAILHOST -dot- UNIDATA -dot- COM>]

Gary Dettmers says:
> You are right Stefan, I don't know you. How many people in the list do know
> you? The initial message you posted indicated to anyone who read it that it's
> OK to just find second hand software and upgrade. I did not (could not) read
> between the lines that you are practicing a legal method for procuring
> legitimate software.

        Yet you did (could) read between the lines that he was practicing
an ILLEGAL method for procuring (illegitimate?) software?  I don't see the
validity of that statement.

        I feel a need to comment here, due to experiences I've had in the
past with hasty and unfounded accusations.

> Your original message did not provide information that clearly stated
> your ownership status of the FM software.

        So you assumed it was illegally acquired, showing a startling
lack of respect for his professionalism and possible repercussions to
his reputation.  Was this wise?

>I don't doubt your word Stefan, and I would not have doubted it if you
> made it know to me (and others) the first time.

        You have to be careful of your words in this medium;  they may
reach farther and have a stronger effect than you anticipate, and you
may not exercise the same care you would for a published medium; for
example, if Stefan had said that in a letter-to-the-editor in a magazine,
would your response have been quite so immediate and vehement?

        A good rule of thumb to follow in eletronically mediated
communication is to step back and think a bit before reacting.  You
have to handle issues with a deliberate gentility that you wouldn't
bother using in real life, where you have less immediate communication
channels and/or more subsidiary channels (body language, tone, facial
expression).

Steven J. Owens
uso01 -at- unidata -dot- com