Matt:
Reminds me of my daughter's IM environment....
However, please note that our comments about your spelling and grammar aren't intended to belittle you or your abilities.
Rather, we're looking at "image."
The "antis" prefer to see us as redneck yokels or psychos worthy of Hitchcock's Norman Bates. Or worse....
Simply not true.... This group (and others you're likely to find) is populated by men and women from all walks of life, and of all ages. The proverbial "Doctors, Lawyers, and Indian Chiefs".... And Programmers, Police Officers, Shoe Salesmen, Cattle Herders, Dog Breeders, and, well, redneck yokels....
We
try to maintain an atmosphere of professionalism here - to not look like the antis prefer. This requires some care in posting, and sometimes takes a lot of time, but when we're done, while we may not appear to be College Professors, we try to work towards that goal. I've taken an hour to compose a response once in a while - and it's usually been worth it.
As a Computer Professional for more than 35 years, I'm a seriously good typist, too, which is an advantage, but if you consider that it still took me quite a few minutes to post this, you can imagine that I do a lot more thinking than typing.
I'm also getting old enough that I sometimes have to wander off and research something (or wander off and use the "facility" - diuretics are a PITA). I don't mind that - I still may screw up, but it looks nice....
Reminds me of a joke.... A guy goes into a tailor's shop to buy a suit. Tailor hands him one, and he puts it on. One arm is too short, so he asks about it, and is told to "hold your arm like this, and it'll look nice." One leg is similarly off, and he's given similar advice. The jacket is a bit large, so the Tailor suggests holding his stomach "just so." He buys it and leaves. (Nobody said he was too bright.) Of course, he's walking looking something like the Hunchback of Notre Dame mixed with Frankenstein. Couple of old ladies walk by: "Look at that poor man." "But see how well his suit fits!"
I don't know whether you've got other hobbies or not. Some of us do, and some don't. One of the key elements to most hobbies is the "Elmer" principle, however it's called. "Elmer" is an older mentor who we can call upon for advice, and who genuinely enjoys it. (And, usually, who actually knows what he's talking about
.) Wake him up and look out.... And, you can't get all of this from books or just passively surfing the web. Eventually,
you become Elmer....
So, we help each other.... If somebody comes along and asks "how do you take apart an S&W M39 for cleaning", several of us are likely to respond with the details, or at least a URL. Same thing applies to about everything. Everybody's trying to be Elmer. To pay back, in effect, the Elmer that taught me, I pass it along.... 'Course, if you ask me what time it is, I might tell you how to build a watch, but who knows, you might learn something about that, too....
Besides the flat-out fun of poking holes in paper and hunting if you're into it (not to mention things like gunsmithing, reloading, etc.) this group has also chosen to get involved in something rather deeper. We have come to terms with, or are trying to, the idea that there are people out there against whom we may need to use deadly force to protect ourselves, loved ones, or even complete strangers. And that there are people out there who feel that a dead rape victim is more important than a dead rapist - people who would deny us the right to defend.... This makes for some somber discussion, some cussing, and, the
image scenario I started this post with.
But we're happy to have you here, spelling, grammar, or whatever, notwithstanding. We're here to help each other....
Regards,
