Off list, a fellow MediaWikil-ian wrote to Peter Blaise: Y'know, If you dropped the attitude and quit baiting people, you'd be more welcome here ... Don't pretend to represent all "end users." Just say "Thank you, that is something that helps ME out." ... There are a lot of people here with their own vision. Try to impose yours upon them, and at best, you'll get ignored. You're about two or three "holier than thou" messages from getting into my own kill file ...
Peter Blaise responds: Sorry. You're absolutely right. I speak as if sitting around a MediaWikil-table, face to face with each of you, presumptive of our ongoing relationship, giving as good as I get (snip/snap!), and that's a no-go on the Internet where we can't recognize our connections to each other except through our (mis)interpretations of each other's writing. If we met at a local coffee shop, we'd probably read each other's faces as primary indicators of intention, and forgive a lot of what we can't seem to tolerate on any chat group. Does this help:
=8^o
;-)
I read your note above as caring to be all-inclusive here, and have everyone "just get along", including me. Thanks!
Yes, I a probably appear opinionated, but you're right, I can only speak for myself. I'm much more open-minded and resourceful than you presume. Don't confuse assertiveness, even aggressiveness as being adamant or opinionated (which is "stubborn adherence and unreasonable dismissal of other's views"). I'm trying to be persuasive, and you probably experience me as belligerent. Ooops. Time to pull back and rethink! Lemme look up diplomacy: "skill and tact in dealing with other people". Hmm ... since I self-sooth regardless of how I'm treated, and forge on, I forget others may stop and take umbrage. Good point.
"Hey, folks, wouldn't it be nice if ..." comes across as critical, and you suggest simply asking, "I'd prefer ...". Subtle. I think you're accusing me of being insensitive to others, asking me to be sensitive to others, and asking me to be insensitive to the barbs of others. Quite a dance!
Anyway, to the entire group, now, past, and future, I say:
Please do not take anything I write personally since I do not know anyone here personally, yet. Please self-sooth, as I do. Vent if you want to, as I do. I do not want you to go away if we disagree, nor will I kill-filter anyone here. Know that I WANT you all here, and more. Invite your friends. If you're not interested in a post, or don't like a post, scroll on. If you respond, great! And, please consider accepting responses and responders you don't necessarily (have to) like, as I do. If you don't want to respond or contribute, I can't stop you. Life is like that.
Ooops.
=8^o
MY life is like that.
;-)
I apologize 1,000% to anyone who takes offense or umbrage to my writing. That is not my intention, and I take back anything I wrote, or will write, anything that is inarticulate and inaccurately represents my intentions, or is received opposite to my intentions. I'm happy to edit and try again, and again, and again, until I get it right.
-- Peter Blaise
PS - In the mean time, enjoy your weekends, and drink in the glorious vision of a hard earned climb like the one at http://www.bytesmiths.com/Item/85AE08 where a rock and a tree are locked together in one common experience, much like each of us here - separated yet one.