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TheLoadedDog
El Sombrero!
Joined: Jun 19, 2003
Last Visited: Sep 28, 2008
Location: Macquarie Fields NSW
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:17 pm
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| Grantham wrote: | Post scriptum: I like spelling and grammar to be of the highest standard, but I don't make a big issue of it, as the value of each thread would rarely be defined by the written English skills of the poster...you know how it goes!  |
That's very true. Despite my reputation, I usually (I've slipped on occasion) don't do the grammar Nazi thing of jumping on somebody for a there/their transposition etc. On the other hand, my message board "self" is to an enormous degree defined by the Straight Dope, which was the first I ever posted on, and that board's very high standards included the dictum that you not only can, but you have a duty to, point out errors in others' posts, even if it causes them embarrassment. The board's motto is "fighting ignorance", and the idea is that you embarrass them mildly once, and you've done them a favour that will last a lifetime. So, if somebody is consistently stuffing up a certain spelling, for example, then yes, I will point it out. And I'd hope the same would be done to me (though I might not enjoy it at the time).
Humphrey! We're leaving!
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fcic0rscvgs0
Chief Train Controller
Joined: Feb 05, 2007
Last Visited: Nov 19, 2008
Location: Countrylink - The Southern Line
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:47 am
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| TheLoadedDog™™ wrote: | You forgot one category: people who burst in here fresh off the street and proceed to tell us everything that's wrong with the place, and how to run it, because after all, they know best.
I'm on the record here as not liking post counts. I still hold to that, mostly - you can make five informative and thoughtful posts, or ten thousand pieces of bilge. However, I'm starting to see some little value in them now - it's amazing how many of the people who "know best" are very recent newcomers.
Some of you might think of me as arrogant. That's up to you - but if you do a search on my name from the early days, you will see that I trod softly for quite a long time. I was in somebody else's house, after all. And that is manners. Now, I have a small piece of ownership in this collective site, and I will use it. I will especially use it to point out the mouthbreathers who fly in here, put their feet on the table, grind cigarette ash into the carpet, help themselves to the liquor cabinet, and change the TV channel without asking - and then turn around with a "butter wouldn't melt" visage and give the regulars a ticking off re manners. Ex-fugun-cuse me? Metaphorically, that is what most of you in this thread are doing.
You gotta earn your stripes first. I did. |
Just because you've been here for awhile and chalked up a 7000+ post count doesn't mean u can put your feet on the table, grind cigarette ash into the carpet, help yourself to the liquor cabinet, and change the TV channel without asking - and then turn around with a "butter wouldn't melt" visage and give the newcomers a ticking off for minute things such as topics already discussed (since they're new, obviously they wouldn't know right?) or spelling and grammar. Honestly, this is a railways discussion forum, not an English Composition class.
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Eaglemist
Assistant Commissioner
Joined: Aug 20, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 19, 2008
Location: East Gippsland
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:19 am
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| fcic0rscvgs0 wrote: | | TheLoadedDog™™™ wrote: | You forgot one category: people who burst in here fresh off the street and proceed to tell us everything that's wrong with the place, and how to run it, because after all, they know best.
I'm on the record here as not liking post counts. I still hold to that, mostly - you can make five informative and thoughtful posts, or ten thousand pieces of bilge. However, I'm starting to see some little value in them now - it's amazing how many of the people who "know best" are very recent newcomers.
Some of you might think of me as arrogant. That's up to you - but if you do a search on my name from the early days, you will see that I trod softly for quite a long time. I was in somebody else's house, after all. And that is manners. Now, I have a small piece of ownership in this collective site, and I will use it. I will especially use it to point out the mouthbreathers who fly in here, put their feet on the table, grind cigarette ash into the carpet, help themselves to the liquor cabinet, and change the TV channel without asking - and then turn around with a "butter wouldn't melt" visage and give the regulars a ticking off re manners. Ex-fugun-cuse me? Metaphorically, that is what most of you in this thread are doing.
You gotta earn your stripes first. I did. |
Just because you've been here for awhile and chalked up a 7000+ post count doesn't mean u can put your feet on the table, grind cigarette ash into the carpet, help yourself to the liquor cabinet, and change the TV channel without asking - and then turn around with a "butter wouldn't melt" visage and give the newcomers a ticking off for minute things such as topics already discussed (since they're new, obviously they wouldn't know right?) or spelling and grammar. Honestly, this is a railways discussion forum, not an English Composition class. |
Yes, but if you carnt spel you proberly shouldn't be posting hear.
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Camster
Deputy Commissioner
Joined: Nov 25, 2004
Last Visited: Nov 17, 2008
Location: Kew by force
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:09 pm
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Firstly, if someone can't spell who cares? However, if you want to jokingly bring attention to it, put a smile at the end.
If someone creates a thread without researching, don't berate them. These are, after all forums, no rules about discussing something that has already been disussed (although I try to research).
"Election in November"
"What? Again? This stupid country!"
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wongm
Minister for Railways
Joined: May 26, 2005
Last Visited: Nov 20, 2008
Location: Geelong, Victoria
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:28 pm
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On the spelling front, I think in the end if you are asking a question, it is nice to put some actual effort into making your post easily understandable, if you want other people to put some effort into giving you an answer.
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Pantographman
Junior Train Controller
Joined: Mar 05, 2007
Last Visited: Jan 25, 2008
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John_Bushell
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Nov 07, 2006
Last Visited: Nov 14, 2008
Location: Jakarta
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 3:13 pm
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I hate to fall into the language, grammar and typing nazi classification, but might I suggest that you have a look in the thread at the end of this link?
http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11307362.htm
It is an entreaty from the moderators to members asking them not to use SMS/TXT/chat language.
An example of incorrect posting "Trainz r kewl u know wot i mean?". That means "Trains are cool, do you know what I mean?"
Substitutions such as "u" for "you" and "ppl" for (could it be people?) make the forum look untidy, and are unpleasant to read. Not my words - go to the link and see for yourselves.
Finally, please put your rants in either the Lounge or the Railpage Australia™ forum. So as not to clutter up useful forums with crud.
I have not amassed thousands of posts, so I am not claiming any special right to criticise. I just dislike slovenly posting, such as too lazy to use the Spellcheck before submitting, challenged finding the Shift keys on the keyboard, and of course SMS/TXT/chat language. Try to treat the forums with some respect and make your posts comprehensible and attractive to readers.
Regards,
John
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bluesousa
Locomotive Driver
Joined: Apr 01, 2007
Last Visited: Jul 17, 2008
Location: Alamein Line
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Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:54 pm
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Thank you all to the those who have contributed to this this thread and have supported my sentiment. The Loaded Dog, if you are bitter for some reason, please feel free to be so, but a forum cannot survive without a few new comments. Not a bunch of stalwarts who talk about their favourite train trips.
I say, kids feel free to comment, newbies, add your your piece (as I have), show you ignorance if you have a question and those who answer, save your breath if you do not want to answer!
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TheLoadedDog
El Sombrero!
Joined: Jun 19, 2003
Last Visited: Sep 28, 2008
Location: Macquarie Fields NSW
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:08 pm
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| bluesousa wrote: | Thank you all to the those who have contributed to this this thread and have supported my sentiment. The Loaded Dog, if you are bitter for some reason, please feel free to be so, but a forum cannot survive without a few new comments. Not a bunch of stalwarts who talk about their favourite train trips.
I say, kids feel free to comment, newbies, add your your piece (as I have), show you ignorance if you have a question and those who answer, save your breath if you do not want to answer! |
Forgive me, I have been offline for awhile and just got back to this.
Listen up Bozo, I'm not going to be drawn into the high school debating trap of fighting an accusation of being "bitter". It's usually quite effective, that. However, it's none too original. A person who asks kids to stop p1ssing in his front yard is not necessarily "bitter" either.
Newbies/kids are welcomed here. But don't twist the subject. Newbies and kids have ALWAYS been welcome here, but this recent phenomenon of their thinking they own the joint has got to stop (to the decent ones, I apologise).
Gratuitous demands of others to show manners need to be backed up with substance. If not I - and other likeminded individuals - WILL call you on your rudeness and your hypocrisy. Comprende?
Humphrey! We're leaving!
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Riccardo
Minister for Railways
Joined: Aug 20, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 21, 2008
Location: Elsewhere
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:37 pm
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| TheLoadedDog™™ wrote: | | Pantographman wrote: | On here you have white collar nazis(managers)combined with rude lowclass track bums(workers)...aswell as hairy smelly gunzels(bums).......
You gotta expect a little aggression and rudeness from time to time...
Dont open any thread that sounds contoversial... |
You forgot one category: people who burst in here fresh off the street and proceed to tell us everything that's wrong with the place, and how to run it, because after all, they know best.
I'm on the record here as not liking post counts. I still hold to that, mostly - you can make five informative and thoughtful posts, or ten thousand pieces of bilge. However, I'm starting to see some little value in them now - it's amazing how many of the people who "know best" are very recent newcomers.
Some of you might think of me as arrogant. That's up to you - but if you do a search on my name from the early days, you will see that I trod softly for quite a long time. I was in somebody else's house, after all. And that is manners. Now, I have a small piece of ownership in this collective site, and I will use it. I will especially use it to point out the mouthbreathers who fly in here, put their feet on the table, grind cigarette ash into the carpet, help themselves to the liquor cabinet, and change the TV channel without asking - and then turn around with a "butter wouldn't melt" visage and give the regulars a ticking off re manners. Ex-fugun-cuse me? Metaphorically, that is what most of you in this thread are doing.
You gotta earn your stripes first. I did. |
You tell 'em Dawg!!!!!!!!!
Especially the young'ens. In this age of instant gratification - they want everything now.
What happened to developing your hobby quietly?
Go and take your own photos, and become your own arbiter of good rail photography.
Go and read the classic books on Australian rail history, locomotive classes, lines, etc
Meet people subtley.
Then come back with a little bit of knowledge and maybe some wisdom too, so we don't get the blooody
WHY DON"T THEY ELECTRIFY TO DINGDANGDONGALONG WEST - IT'S UNFAIR...
HELP ME - PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and all the other ridiculous posts we seem to be getting lately.
[blow own trumpet] When I was 15, I wrote my first letter to a prominent Australian Rail Magazine (no internet then).
I did the full works - Dear Sir, a signature block, a subject line, perfect spelling (checked several times by me and others) and the best vocabulary and grammar I could muster at that age.
I read other letters to get the right style and tone for the Mag. The subject matter was germane to the articles of the day and the letter attracted a comment from the Editor (positive too!)[/blow own trumpet]
But no, the teenie boppers of today have to have everything NOW, and not lift a finger to get it.
What happened to the manners people used to show?
And no good taking me to task on this - I have attempted several ceasefires, and some useless p'rick comes along and keeps attacking me anyway.
If you need to get in touch, drop a comment at the Transport Textbook or on my blog.
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drwaddles
In need of a breath mint
Joined: Aug 16, 2006
Last Visited: Nov 21, 2008
Location: Lifting the A-League trophy!
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:12 pm
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Maybe we need to have more separate forums - divide the site into "dribble" and "rational discussion" and then have the same sub-forums in each category 
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michaelgreenhill
Patron Saint of Alcohol
Joined: Jan 17, 1985
Last Visited: Nov 20, 2008
Location: Lost Somewhere In Time
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:00 pm
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Look back through some of my early postings - they were as painful to read as some of the kiddies these days (which should give you some clue as to my actual age). I was made aware of how childish it came across (amongst other things), so I picked up my game. If I can do it, why can't everyone else? It doesn't take enormous amounts of brainpower to learn how to spell and properly phrase yourself, and it only takes a little bit more to learn grammar and sentence structure.
There should be no excuse for poor spelling. There is a spellcheck function available on RP, not to mention spellcheck functions in word-processing software (Word, Open Office, etc) and online dictionaries. Given all that, the only excuse - other than mental disabilities - is laziness.
I can think of a number of excuses some of our members might make for their poor spelling or grammar. Let's run down the list- Dropped out of high school
Not my problem, you deal with it. I dropped out of high school too, and I'm managing fine
- I'm still in school, I'm only just learning this stuff!
Then maybe you should be spending more time studying your English papers, as it's clearly not working out for you...
- Computers confuse me!
The keys are infront of you. Holding the Shift key changes the case of the letter you then press. It ain't rocket science, mate.
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Bree76
Train Controller
Joined: Sep 10, 2006
Last Visited: Nov 20, 2008
Location: 12 mile peg on the former Mirboo North line
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:54 pm
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I happen to agree that there is sometimes uncalled for rudeness and aroggance on Railpage Australia™, but then again there are many forums on the net that are a lot worse (especially anything involving Ubuntu Linux fanboys  )
Perhaps something that would help calm the waters is to have a FAQ forum, listed at the top of the Forums page, and addressing all general issues that arise on the page as well as questions from newbies and oldies alike. Again this is something that many forums have, but not something found here (or am I not looking, if not any FAQs are not obvious to the eye, as they should be).
Any thoughts?
Brionnach (aka Andrea Ross)
^~^
(o o)~~~
=^= )___
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This is my cat Tashy. Help her on her quest for more cat food.
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Ummagumma
Junior Train Controller
Joined: Apr 29, 2006
Last Visited: Aug 28, 2008
Location: Junction, Rosstown and Oakleigh lines
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:07 pm
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Nagging about duplicating threads and lousy spelling is one thing, but I get tired -- no, fed up -- with the frequency and ferocity of personal attacks on posters. There are a few people here who are (a) very thin-skinned (b) very defensive and hyper-sensitive and (c) very cowardly, hurling vile abuse from the safety of anonymity.
For pete's sake, you're not going to agree with everyone who posts here, and having a good argument is part of the fun of a forum, but it gets really tiresome seeing some people telling others to b&gger off every time they voice their opinion or -- horrors -- make an observation that's critical of Connex.
It just makes for a very unpleasant place to be.
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2001
The Snow Lord
Joined: Jan 25, 2005
Last Visited: Nov 21, 2008
Location: The road jump at Charlotte Pass. Paxman Valenta on two planks.
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:13 pm
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Woo Hoo .... vigourous debate !!!
Time to move thread from the suburbs of Melbourne to the broader audience 
2001
Member Falls Creek 2018 Olympics Committee.
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