...making Linux just a little more fun!

### Talkback:136/lg_tips.html

[ In reference to "2-Cent Tips" in LG#136 ]

Ben Okopnik [ben at linuxgazette.net]

Thu, 8 Mar 2007 11:05:02 -0500

[[[ The original subject line for this thread was "[TAG] tkb: Technical help regarding 2-cent item in latest issue." I have taken the liberty of renaming it properly. -- Kat ]]]

On Wed, Mar 07, 2007 at 08:05:37PM -0500, Brandon Sussman wrote:

    >
    > The first item refers to a way to check time handling related tot he time
    > change due on 11 March in the USA.  The example command is "date -d '27
    > March'"
    > Here is a subsequent partial quote:  "That's the desired output, a week
    > after
    > the time change."
    >
    > Since I am sure you review contributions, please explain in what calendar
    > system 27 March occurs 1 week after 11 March (new date) or 1 April
    > (incorrect
    > old rule date).  I am not aware of it.

Brandon -

At times, we all do things that may not have an obvious reason: for example, send an email (one that smacks of asperity and entitlement) to an address used only for publication issues in LG rather than using the 'Talkback' link on the bottom of that page that is specifically and clearly intended for the purpose of discussing that page. A bit hard to explain, that - particularly the slightly grating tone, eh?

In any case, I am CCing this reply to The Answer Gang, where the author (Rick Moen) can answer you himself. I suspect it was a mistake, but I will note that it was not one of any substance: as it stands, the proposed test does exactly what Rick has said it will do - check for compliance with the time shift. It would be interesting to hear your explanation of how this has given you grounds for outrage.

    --
    * Ben Okopnik * Editor-in-Chief, Linux Gazette * http://LinuxGazette.NET *

Top Back

Brandon Sussman [Brandon at WebsterRidge.com]

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:41:11 -0500

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1

Ben Okopnik wrote on 03/08/2007 11:05 AM:

| Brandon -

| At times, we all do things that may not have an obvious reason: for | example, send an email (one that smacks of asperity and entitlement) to | an address used only for publication issues in LG rather than using the | 'Talkback' link on the bottom of that page that is specifically and | clearly intended for the purpose of discussing that page. A bit hard to | explain, that - particularly the slightly grating tone, eh?

| In any case, I am CCing this reply to The Answer Gang, where the author | (Rick Moen) can answer you himself. I suspect it was a mistake, but I | will note that it was not one of any substance: as it stands, the | proposed test does exactly what Rick has said it will do - check for | compliance with the time shift. It would be interesting to hear your | explanation of how this has given you grounds for outrage.

I just erased a two page reply. Too wordy and waay too serious.

I mistakenly omitted the smileys that might have given my original a chiding rather serious tone! Sorry to strike a nerve

I withdraw my comment - I guess errors that show lack of process (proofreading) or care are acceptable. No further taking of your time necessary.

BTW - this is not Rick's problem - writers and contributors must have the freedom to make mistakes. Especially silly ones. That is why we have editors.

If I wanted to complain about the tip, I would have pointed out that it does not confirm that the change will take place as required. Merely that it would be in place at some arbitrary point after it should be effective and before the old rule would have it be effective.

    --
    - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    |/\/\ /\/\ /\/\   Webster Ridge Farm       |    http://WebsterRidge.com |
    |\oo/ \--/ \--/   Brandon and Mary Sussman |              (603)648-2595 |
    |=\/= =\/= =\/=   1482 Pleasant St.        |      N 43.32558 W 71.70835 |
    | Sleep Well...   Webster, NH, 03303-7613  |                19TBJ800015 |
    - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    |Lamb, Poultry, Eggs, Quilts and Web Sites |Think Locally, Buy Locally! |
    - -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Version: GnuPG v1.4.2.2 (GNU/Linux)

iQEVAwUBRfBKtNN2DJl/zagkAQJS7ggAou0EWe4Nn0FLBk5t7lwZ4NGscfb2MTH7 XY5bg4NRg2Ml9/ODbXuIHTMJrBGTrZ0+ru6XGgjGXp04gqTCzK383GQWsZ2+1gwW 0kZ9mJrPlvvbQgTUeASkHCScR7IZU1p0bOTSMpWoFSBR64gxFbCCYPYWpJDRCTw1 wXnBtfoMjtz72FWZpjQ8ximLsh5FKHviaM4oM+DljbuV04mQ78h1LpI2LvFS4t6j dTIR2f1qsWCMTgHH2CBnrOVv+RuTI6ROoDenJZjy4nrDOBBvfDox4tDCeTor3VV4 WvO/+kCz8YIbvCg7MhlwbTlDBPAxcaqT6+n0D22hugI5q8YNogIA5g== =VYi/ -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Top Back

Rick Moen [rick at linuxmafia.com]

Thu, 8 Mar 2007 09:58:33 -0800

Quoting Brandon Sussman (Brandon at WebsterRidge.com):

    > BTW - this is not Rick's problem - writers and contributors must have the
    > freedom to make mistakes.  Especially silly ones. That is why we have editors.

It was my "mistake", one of nugatory importance, as exactly how many days March 27 follows March 11 doesn't actually matter a whit in this context, and is entirely beside the point.

    > If I wanted to complain about the tip, I would have pointed out that it does
    > not confirm that the change will take place as required.

What it showed was, I believe, more than adequate to the need described.

Bored, Brandon?

    --
    Cheers,                        The Technical Support Credo:
    Rick Moen                      Remember, there are no stupid questions,
    rick at linuxmafia.com            only stupid people asking questions.

Top Back

Kat Tanaka Okopnik [kat at linuxgazette.net]

Thu, 8 Mar 2007 10:41:52 -0800

On Thu, Mar 08, 2007 at 12:41:11PM -0500, Brandon Sussman wrote:

    > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
    > I just erased a two page reply.  Too wordy and waay too serious.
    >
    > I mistakenly omitted the smileys that might have given my original a chiding
    > rather serious tone! Sorry to strike a nerve
    >
    > I withdraw my comment - I guess errors that show lack of process
    > (proofreading) or care are acceptable.  No further taking of your time necessary.
    >
    > BTW - this is not Rick's problem - writers and contributors must have the
    > freedom to make mistakes.  Especially silly ones. That is why we have editors.
    >

There was another tack you could have taken, Brandon -

"Hey, I noticed an error on the tips this month. Looks like you guys could use some help getting those worked on before publication! I'm sending you my information so that I can join the proofreading team."

If you don't have time to do this, please also have some compassion for those of us who are eking time out of our schedules to do our best to get LG out every month.

    --
    Kat Tanaka Okopnik
    Linux Gazette Mailbag Editor
    kat at linuxgazette.net

Top Back

Rick Moen [rick at linuxmafia.com]

Thu, 8 Mar 2007 10:55:59 -0800

Quoting Kat Tanaka Okopnik (kat at linuxgazette.net):

    > There was another tack you could have taken, Brandon -
    >
    > "Hey, I noticed an error on the tips this month. Looks like you guys
    > could use some help getting those worked on before publication! I'm
    > sending you my information so that I can join the proofreading team."

FWIW, I did notice, as I rewrote someone's mailing list suggestion into a "2 cent tip" in the middle of the night, making deadline for the March issue so it would do some good, that the guy's post-change example date of March 27 was not exactly a week after the DST change date -- but that it didn't matter, in that context.

For about a femtosecond I considered "fortnight", but some Yanks wouldn't know that word -- and then inevitably some asshat would write in saying "16 days isn't a fortnight", and so I thought "Screw it. Just doesn't matter." and submitted the tip as-is.

Top Back

Ben Okopnik [ben at linuxgazette.net]

Thu, 8 Mar 2007 15:21:55 -0500

On Thu, Mar 08, 2007 at 12:41:11PM -0500, Brandon Sussman wrote:

    >
    > I just erased a two page reply.  Too wordy and waay too serious.
    >
    > I mistakenly omitted the smileys that might have given my original a chiding
    > rather serious tone! Sorry to strike a nerve

You didn't; rather, your email provided an occasion for amusement.

    > I withdraw my comment - I guess errors that show lack of process
    > (proofreading) or care are acceptable.  No further taking of your time
    > necessary.

Brandon, you already struck out in a failed attempt to be an annoyance; are you now trying for "jerk" with your passive-aggressive games? You're still failing, but I note that you're still trying - I'm not sure why, other than as some sort of attempted revenge for being called on your games. Do the sheep at Webster Ridge not provide you with quite enough entertainment in the "patchwork of your life"? Or do you need to review your own Statement on Drug Use?

I suggest you stop digging any deeper; you're reaching for "killfiled idiot" status, and achieving nothing. Contribute something useful, or go away.

    --
    * Ben Okopnik * Editor-in-Chief, Linux Gazette * http://LinuxGazette.NET *

Top Back