[EMAIL PROTECTED] 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. -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list