how tired I get of reading comments on Web sites from idiots who have no idea what they're talking about.
Example: I do a bit of tech writing, and I keep track of several tech sites. This morning I cranked one up and read a short blurb about Google's new Chrome (probably the most advanced browser concept since Mosaic). OK article; nothing earthshaking.
But the comments! All this one guy could think of to say is that no one mentioned the several security flaws that have turned up in Chrome so far. I've seen several other remarks on the Web to the effect that it's full of flaws, people expected more of Google, it will never replace (insert name of favorite browser here -- or a projected one like IE8), it's not all that fast, it uses a lot of memory, blah, blah, blah.
OK, people!
Chrome has flaws. The memory use is not one of them, considering what you get for your RAMbytes, but never mind that. This browser -- practically an operating system -- and similar ones are going to change the way you and I interact with our computers, our data, and the Web and Internet (not the same things -- look 'em up). And it's a beta. Not only that, it's a beta that's been in release for less than a week!
Now, for those who don't know, like our friend the hip-shooting commentator, a beta release of an application is made available for testing by the public, if they desire, for the purpose of identifying flaws and eliminating them before they get into the finished product. It is ASSUMED that they will have problems. THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT! I was a beta tester on Firefox back when the version was practically in negative numbers, and -- trust me -- you ain't seen bugs and flaws, brudder.
See, the bottom line is, this guy either doesn't know what he's talking about, or he didn't bother to think about what he was writing and just jumped in to express his two cents worth. And, as it turns out, two cents in 2008 US coin is just about what it was worth, if not less.
This happens so much on the Web. Comments are made without discernible thought, and since it's so easy to do, there is ignorance and sheer crap spread far and wide. Things have reached the point that it's hardly worth wading through all the troll shit to find worthwhile reading on comment threads that your're really interested in. Others aren't worth the trouble at all.
I saw a great quote on one of the Geeks pages (I'd link to it and give credit, but I can't find it) to the rough effect that too many thoughts don't involve enough thinking. Nowhere is this more obvious than on the Web, and nowhere is it more egregious than in comment threads.
So I'm asking you to take the Curmudgeon's Pledge:
I (insert your name here, if you can remember it) do solemnly swear that:
So help me Tim Berners-Lee!
Example: I do a bit of tech writing, and I keep track of several tech sites. This morning I cranked one up and read a short blurb about Google's new Chrome (probably the most advanced browser concept since Mosaic). OK article; nothing earthshaking.
But the comments! All this one guy could think of to say is that no one mentioned the several security flaws that have turned up in Chrome so far. I've seen several other remarks on the Web to the effect that it's full of flaws, people expected more of Google, it will never replace (insert name of favorite browser here -- or a projected one like IE8), it's not all that fast, it uses a lot of memory, blah, blah, blah.
OK, people!
Chrome has flaws. The memory use is not one of them, considering what you get for your RAMbytes, but never mind that. This browser -- practically an operating system -- and similar ones are going to change the way you and I interact with our computers, our data, and the Web and Internet (not the same things -- look 'em up). And it's a beta. Not only that, it's a beta that's been in release for less than a week!
Now, for those who don't know, like our friend the hip-shooting commentator, a beta release of an application is made available for testing by the public, if they desire, for the purpose of identifying flaws and eliminating them before they get into the finished product. It is ASSUMED that they will have problems. THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT! I was a beta tester on Firefox back when the version was practically in negative numbers, and -- trust me -- you ain't seen bugs and flaws, brudder.
See, the bottom line is, this guy either doesn't know what he's talking about, or he didn't bother to think about what he was writing and just jumped in to express his two cents worth. And, as it turns out, two cents in 2008 US coin is just about what it was worth, if not less.
This happens so much on the Web. Comments are made without discernible thought, and since it's so easy to do, there is ignorance and sheer crap spread far and wide. Things have reached the point that it's hardly worth wading through all the troll shit to find worthwhile reading on comment threads that your're really interested in. Others aren't worth the trouble at all.
I saw a great quote on one of the Geeks pages (I'd link to it and give credit, but I can't find it) to the rough effect that too many thoughts don't involve enough thinking. Nowhere is this more obvious than on the Web, and nowhere is it more egregious than in comment threads.
So I'm asking you to take the Curmudgeon's Pledge:
I (insert your name here, if you can remember it) do solemnly swear that:
- I will read the entire article or post, think about it, and at least browse the thread, before presuming to favor others with my wisdom.
- I will, at all times, attempt to make my comments understandable.
- I will consider punctuating and capitalizing, if I know how.
- I will try to add something to the discussion, rather than distracting people from what is going on.
- I will keep my comments brief.
- If I have a question, I will type it in the search box and search, not just throw it out for someone to read -- thereby exposing my inability to think for myself.
- I will be courteous.
- I will not respond to personal remarks made by assholes, lest I begin to sound like one myself.
So help me Tim Berners-Lee!
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