rec.autos.simulators

I'd like to share one of them, because it seems significant to me.....and
something that I have never thought of prior to a few minutes ago!  This
isn't really about "sim racing" per se.  In fact, I almost titled the
"subject" of this post as "OT"......but didn't.  It is about the individuals
who make regular posts (I like to think of them more as "contributions") to
this newsgroup.  I am one of them.  It is also about the individuals who
don't make regular posts, but who visit this newsgroup regularly....just the
same.

Here it is:

Except for a relatively small percentage of people, every "post" I make (or
any others who have been "regulars" here for two or more years or so) is a
message that is "out of context" with all other messages and posts I've made
here (since around 1997...I think).  Yet, when I write a post here, either a
new message or a reply.......I am of the mindset that includes all the other
posts I've made (regarding my feelings, positions, understandings and
philosophies about anything having to do with "racing"), virtually since
1997!  When writing, I am assuming that the person(s) reading the post are
aware of "who, what, why and where" I come from....what my "philosophies"
about racing are all about, what I represent and contribute to this sim
racing community.  I also assume they are aware of my m***character, with
regard to being truthful...and where my "loyalties" lie to the sport of
racing itself.  My God, I have just realized what a huge mistake this is!
There can't be more than a couple dozen people **currently** considered
regulars on r.a.s. that would have the ability to put a message I write
today, in context with messages from as far back as even a couple years ago,
let alone all the way back to 1997.

I don't know that there is anything that can be done about this.  Certainly,
one can't "cc" and include all his/her previous r.a.s. posts on each new
one, or on each "reply."  ....lol....  What I can do.....is not take some
liberties with my attitude......especially when its a bad one......with
posts and replies.  It might be "ok" for somebody like Francois Menard
(ymenard) or Ed Solheim or Eric Cote (and a couple dozen others) to read a
particularly "sharp-tongued" response or message from me and think, "Gee,
Pabst must be having a bad day!  He's normally very polite and a laid-back
kind of guy!"  While, the vast majority of readers would think, "What an
*** Pabst is!"

I also think its possible that I can include some "premise" statements
(short and in brackets) when discussing something of a particularly
sensitive nature, or a controversial one.  I know when I read something
about "online cheating" from Eric Cote.....I know that Eric is against
cheating in racing....in all its forms....as I am.  I have been reading
posts from Eric for several years now.  But, it might be good to read
something that accompanies his message like, "Premise: I am against cheating
in racing of any kind, for any reason!"  So, I'm going to try and do that
from now on.  I'm also going to try to "delete" any posts I make that isn't
polite or that isn't thoughtful, or that reflects my current mood
(especially when its a bad one)....BEFORE I send it to this newsgroup.

I know this isn't an **excuse** for bad behavior.  But, it is a **reason**
that some of my posts have not been what the vast majority of them have been
(helpful, polite, useful, non-derogatory, etc.).  But, I can apologize to
all of you.....for all of bad ones.....just the same.

And, the next time my video card hangs (while I'm leading an online race),
or my dogs bark and scare me to death...so I crash; or I'm on hold for some
"tech support" department and get disconnected just as the person answers
the phone (after holding for an hour), or that brand new AMD Athlon  CPU -
the one I hand picked because of its manufacture site and
ease-of-OC'ing....blows up the minute I turn on the computer for the first
time (all of these things have happen in the last two weeks.....par for the
course actually.....lol....), I think I'm going to avoid making any posts on
r.a.s. for 24-hours!

That's a promise I can keep.

Regards,

Tom Pabst

Hmmm. What role has this newsgroup played in the evolution of it?

David G Fisher

Jan.
=---
"Pay attention when I'm talking to you boy!" -Foghorn Leghorn.

Jan.
=---
"Pay attention when I'm talking to you boy!" -Foghorn Leghorn.

Same here.  I realize that a lot of traffic from here and other newsgroups
has went to specific forums, which is a shame imo.  It's a lot more
convenient for me to hit ras, csipgfs, and a few other newsgroups for info
on the latest patches, releases, updates, etc than it is to hunt through
game specifc forums.  Call me lazy

I've never thought that, but often "I wonder how he pronounces his surname?"
;-)

For me, ras is, mostly, a place to see familiar names and chat (although I
use the word advisedly, as Mr Walker would say) about these sim things we
all seem to have a passion about.  It is of course also a good place for
news on patches, etc., (although there are many quality webpages which can
supply the same these days?).

I've never been a chatroom kinda guy, and, as Francois says, I think
newsgroups generally attract a more mature, dare I say it 'older' type than
most message boards?

I certainly don't post 'regularly', but I'm here most days and I've always
found the group friendly and not elitist towards the fabled top 10 regulars
or so.

The only problem with that lot is they're also always the ***y quick
ones!! (Yes, even Eldred, compared to me!)

Cheers,

Jonesy

Remove "ANTISPAM" when replying.

GPLRANK (cough) 259.740

--

Colin
ICQ 25485061
Fast Food Racing: http://www.gamensurf.co.uk/fastfood/

Ben

:-)

KFG