Goodbye and hope to see you in other places

Westchester, I read your reply, and agree that long replies are more often than not confusing. I also want things explained simply,as trying to see it in your head is some times confusing, and very long explanations just make matters worse. Here is a little trick my wife taught me, it is to type this out on Microsoft Word works, if you have it. Word works has spell check, and dictionary lookup. When I am satisfied with the response I push at the same time, ctrl c, go to the response box, and click as if I am going to post, then press ctrl v, this will transfer your comment to the box, then just press the save button. This is how you fix bad spelling, punctuation, and a host of other problems, with out the need to repeat grades 1 thru 12. I have spent a lot of time here today as I was asked for my input, any one here may join in if it is constructive please, lets try to tap in to some good juu juu (? Not in spell check), leave our sharpness to our tools, an not each other, and work on things we can change, like, bad cuts, embarrassing dove tails, and me, my least favorite the dreaded mortis and the ill fitting tenon!!. garyowen

Mr Chester,

This plea of yourn:

"I hate to think I must be a word smith to contribute here -
.............I'm hoping those with advanced writing skills keep their pen at bay".

Now that is a strange attitude, I must say. Why must everyone keep to the same level of written expression arbitrarily chosen by W Chester esquire? Does the same apply to woodworking skills? Perhaps we all must confine ourselves to pockethole joints or wax finishes?

I do sympathise with a desire for posts that are to the point, even if not short. (Richard Jones is right to suggest that some subjects need full explanations). Also, it is pleasant to read unambiguous as well as comprehensive prose if someone is either describing a problem or supplying an answer.

There is also the matter of presentation. Great blocks of undifferentiated text, long rambling sentences of confusing grammar and dully repetitious drones are wearisome. Let us not forget to condemn, either, those expressions of confused and often prejudicial opinions that are free of supporting argument and often riddled with self-contradictions.

*****

Writing in a forum does need to condense matters to their essentials perhaps. One wishes to grasp the question or answer reet-quick and without the need to imbibe 28 irrelevant mentions of the poster's emotional state or life history..... Although some characters are quite fascinating and one almost hopes they will embark upon a ramble into estoteric matters, as it can be educative to see how ferners and strangers think.

As with woodworking, it is no bad idea to increase both the range and degree of one's skills when it comes to self-expression in speech or writing. Isn't this what life is fundamentally about for us hoomans - the joy of finding things out then employing the results.

Some lads get the idea in their wee heeds that "I cannot do that". Perhaps you have persuaded yourself that you cannot get better at self-expression or the parsing of less-simple prose? I assure you that you are deluding yourself here as all it takes to gain these skills is (as with any other skill) the desire to do so and the work involved in getting there.

Unless it's just laziness of course. :-)

At present I am learning the classical guitar. This is extemely difficult for me and progress is very slow. Is this a reason to give up or persuade myself that I can't ever do it (even if it will take another decade)? Just the opposite in fact.

Lataxe, wary of low common denominators

PS Perhaps you also need to distinguish between people who disagree with you, giving reasons, and those who seek to "outgun" you. It is not an automatic question of your good intentions to question some aspect of your opinion or to dispute something offered as a fact. On the contrary, it is a compliment to be engaged in a meaningful discussion as it shows that your interlocutor takes you seriously.

PPS I do hope this post is not too wordy for ye. :->