gs*********@gma il.com wrote:
AlbaClause wrote:
>jean-jeanot wrote:
<snip>
>Ummm, he did not say that your question was stupid. The Zappa quote is
included as part of what we refer to as a 'signature'. In the case of
Sybren Stuvel's posts to this newsgroup, the Frank Zappa quote is
included
in every message that he posts. Not just messages that he posts to you.
First up, I *like* the Frank Zappa signature quote; it has a George
Carlin feel to it and takes a swipe at our overly-protective cultures
[side note: I bought an electric heating pad last night that came with
instructions not to use it in the bathtub! Well, duh!]. But, can you
see where the signature on a response to a tutor list -- where people
are already feeling a bit intimidated and/or inadequate and therefore
may feel a wee bit "stupid" -- might be taken the wrong way?
I have spent many years teaching mathematics and physics in a classroom
setting and have come to realize that, as a teacher, just about
anything I say/do can be blown way out of proportion. So I don't use
sarcasm or "fun" little put-downs and I treat every question as if it
is the most important matter because, to the student, it is. Do I get
tired of answering the same thing over and over? Yes!! Many times I
will ask if the student has read the textbook and, if not, I will
request they give it a try (much in the same way we ask if they have
read any tutorials), but I take Homeric efforts not to offend them and,
to that end, modify my behavior in order to teach them mathematics.
My point is that this is a wonderful service you tutors provide, but
the Zappa signature may not be the best choice for this setting. Most
people will read it and get a laugh (as did I), but how many have taken
it the way jean-jeanot did and walk away feeling insulted? How many
will not post a response expressing their feelings, never post a
question again or, worst case, decide Python is not for them?
Again, I admire this list and those of you you maintain it. These are
just my thoughts. YMMV.
--greg
This is getting a little off-topic, but my feeling is that if you're unable
to discern the difference between the substance of the message, and the
"personal style" of the author (eg: quote attributions and/or signature
lines) then you probably shouldn't be attempting to code in Python or any
other structured language.
A newsgroup post is quite structured -- just as a Python script is -- there
is the header, which contains the subject, the sender, the recipient, and
other protocol information; and the text body. The text body is also quite
structured. The text body can contain a quote from a prior message, the
added comments that make up the substance of the message, and a
signature/tag line. If a person has great difficulty in differentiating
the various parts of a newsgroup message, then perhaps structured
programming languages are not for them.
Perhaps we should begin a new message passing convention. One where the
substance of the post is contained within braces -- like C/C++ code? Just
kidding! LOL
--
--
There are several things that I will never be:
* I will never be attracted to females.
* I will never enjoy the company of others.
Exactly how these realities bode for my enemy, is not of my concern.
