I am sure that I am guilty of being outspoken--and I am on the dock as well
as on the list.  If I have offended anyone, I certainly appologize.  On
occasion I do strongly disagree with a post, usually off the list.

We are here to learn/teach.  There is a fair amount of misinformation

that gets on the list.  How should this be handled?

The other side of the coin is that many posters respond to specific
questions--both on and off list.  This takes the posters time and in some
cases some effort in looking up information.  A fair portion of my life has
been as an educator--formally on university facuality, professionally as
physician and informally helping making boating safer, more trouble free and
more fun.  Because of the physical problems with my back, I spend a good
deal of each day in bed--I would far rather be boating--but that is not in
the cards now, so I have time to contribute.  There are many times that I
post either to an individual or to the group reference a specific question.
Fifty percent of the time the person never responds back--Kiss my... ;
thanks or what ever..
The other 50% I get a good post in return, with further dialogue and often
phone calls.  I have been given so much in life by boating and the people
associated with boating that I love to return the favor at this point in
life.  But, I would certainly appreciate the courtesy of at least an
acknowlegement that I took my time to post.

The only other lists that I subscribe to are professional photography--and
this list is far more civil than those lists!!
Its a great list--probably one of the best out there.  But for the newbies
and lurkers--please take the time to respond and give some feed back to
those who do post.

Regards

Bob Austin,
30 foot single diesel aft cabin Carver
Pensacola, FL.

I have met Bob, and he is a very nice person (even when I arrived, unannounced).

Part of the problem lies in the written response to a message.  What we write
sounds just fine to the writer.  However, the reader may see the words in a
different context.  We (as readers) do not have the benefit of facial
expressions and body language to go along with the spoken words that are so much
of the total communications package.

Bob is also on the mark concerning the fact that not all of the information
placed on the list is correct.  As in navigation, the prudent person will often
wish to verify critical matters with a second source, prior to acting on the
information.  I have carried on a number of personal correspondences with Arild
and Garrett for this purpose.

Having said all of this,  I don't post very often, but I keep a thick skin when
I do post.

--
Nick Meloy
44' Custom Trawler  "Serendipity"
mulatfl@pcola.gulf.net
(850) 994-6165