A reminder: and a word to the wise...

[Charles Kozierok]

The PC Guide Discussion Forums have now been in operation for over a year. In that time, they have not become the biggest forums; they are not the most active, or staffed with the most experts, or anything like that. But they are populated with what I consider to be the finest group of folks on the Internet. They also have a reputation for being clean, on-topic and respectful.

Recent serious events here in the United States have caused a great deal of turmoil. Emotions are running high. Many otherwise reasonable people are saying very unreasonable things, and innocent people are being hurt as a result.

I want to remind everyone of a few things regarding the forums here:
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Off-topic conversations--that is, all topics having nothing to do with PCs--belong in the After Hours forum. That's why it is there.
Everyone is expected to behave themselves like responsible adults. I have in the last day or so seen some embarrassing comments. I do not want to see any personal attacks, calls for violence, suggestions of revenge or other unpleasantries on these forums. You are angry? Fine, a lot of us are. What separates civilized adults from brutal children is the ability to control and channel that anger. Those who cannot behave as the former will be barred from the forums.
The 'net knows no bounds. This is an International forum. This is why I usually try to make no mention of happenings in the U.S. here. This is so big that it cannot be ignored, but you still must respect that values and opinions can and do differ.
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I know this is a difficult time for everyone. I am sympathetic with those who feel hurt and resentful. But remember that what happened on September 11th was about hate: do not succumb to it yourself in your grief.

Finally, watch the front page for something related to this today.


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Charles M. Kozierok
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...
Note: Please reply to my forum postings here on the forums. Thanks.

[This message has been edited by ixl (edited 09-14-2001).]

[YODA74]

I know that it was my fault: I lashed out in anger and it kind of got a bad ball rolling I Humbly apoligise to the people that i have affended and to the forum I will in the future keep a tighter perspective on any racial and hurtful remarks.And again please except my appolagies.

[Paleo Pete]

I had to respond to this one, of course. And it will be a long one...

I have to take at least partial responsibility, about 2 weeks ago a topic was started related to civil rights, and was continued in another topic which shifted to religion. Tempers flared, irrational and unflattering comments were made, and I was in the middle of a week of rain and couldn't get a good enough connection to load a 50 post topic...but that's no excuse for what eventually happened.

I bent the rules letting these topics continue at all, thinking that we have a very intelligent and responsible group here, and that it might be possible for topics of that nature to continue without major incident. In general, I wasn't proven wrong, these topics were handled pretty well overall, with only a brief confrontation.

Then our country and the world were subjected to one of the worst horrors since Pearl Harbor. I knew it would be futile to try and stop topics about this incident, and stopped myself from posting a warning to our participants to not post their comments. I did post a request in the topic that started for people to refrain from making rash "nuke 'em" remarks, but unfortunately after it was already done. I made a mistake in that respect, I saw the post one of our Canadian neighbors made offering condolences before any replies were made, and didn't respond. I should have done so. (Yoda, that was not an accusation...or a reprimand, and thanks for the apology)

I echo Charles' sentiments, I don't think discussions concerning the recent incident should be stopped, but I do hope when people respond they will keep in mind the guidelines I and Charles have always promoted. We have one of the best forums on the Internet, some wonderful people, and they have always supported and cooperated with my efforts to keep the forums clean, professional, and responsible. Without their support it would not have been possible for us to develop the reputation we now enjoy. I want us to keep that reputation.

Charles has started a topic in After Hours, your responses will be welcome, but please remember the integrity, professionalism and respect for others that I have always insisted on. I do that for a good reason, I don't want the forums to degrade into just another newsgroup or chatroom. The world is watching. I want them to see an intelligent, mature and responsible group, with the restraint and consideration to maintain higher standards than many other Internet discussion forums.

I know those are very high expectations, I feel we have a group of people here that can handle it. I think we have the character and intelligence to be the best.

Thanks for putting up with my long-winded ramblings for this long...

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Support the right to keep and arm bears.
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[sea69]

hear- hear !

amazing restraint thus far, I am encouraged by our members here.

only one sounding off so far at all was me, which I hope didn't offend anyone- I just have frustration of my inability to actually be able to do anything that can help.

"God grant me the serinity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."


http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)




[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 09-15-2001).]

[ErnieK]

I know that I should not be posting here but felt I had to respond.

I am sitting here in Scotland and I think I speak for almost all Scots when I say this. My heart goes out to ALL Americans, as well as all the other nationalities who lost loved ones. We as Human Beings have a terrifying abillity to destroy, both ourselves and all that surrounds us, as this sad situation has once again shown. It is my sincere belief that out of bad, there comes good. I can only pray that this proves to be true yet again. We can only hope that because of this terrible event we will see the beginnings of world peace.

Sea - You chose the correct prayer to put at the end of your post. I know that it helps me in time of need.

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Ernie

[Charles Kozierok]

I have to take at least partial responsibility...

No, you don't. Or more accurately, I knew you would, because that's the way you are, but you shouldn't feel like you need to.

These are supposedly "my" forums, yet I am usually too tired or burnt out from working on techie stuff all day to deal with them. You, Pete, are the lifeblood of this place. I honestly don't know how this place would manage without you. You are also human, and therefore, not perfect.

You absolutely have nothing to apologize for. Thanks again for all you do here.

--c

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Charles M. Kozierok
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...
Note: Please reply to my forum postings here on the forums. Thanks.

[Paleo Pete]

Thanks for the vote of confidence.


You, Pete, are the lifeblood of this place.

I suppose I have to take a certain amount of credit, but I also have to add a few names to that statement. Not by any means a comprehensive list either...mjc, Ghost_Hacker, Sea69, Bassman, Big Blue66, Reid, hiredgoonz...just a few of the great folks here, and mostly the "veterans" of the forums who have been here for ages...some as long as I've been here. These are the people, along with others, who make these forums what they are, I just give it a push now and then in what I hope is the right direction and try to keep it from getting out of hand...

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Support the right to keep and arm bears.
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[BigBlue66]

All I can say is: I just got back from a weeklong camping trip, and Man, I surely did miss the forum.

Apparently, I missed a few posts where tempers flared or something. Kinda glad I did, because I don't enjoy seeing posts of this type. However, I know all too well how misunderstandings can form.

People get along best when they act, not react.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66


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"Right turn Clyde!"

[BigBlue66]

Um, I meant Interact, not React. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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"Right turn Clyde!"