I'm not entirely convinced that the negativity which appeared here periodically was entirely due to the message but just as often to the reaction to the message.

I agree, but not for the same reason as you. ;-)

Tracy, may I ask again: could you please provide a message id where a UT'er attacked a NETter for a polite observation? IME reaction *always* results from a gratuitous slap attached to the message. ALWAYS. If somebody can prove me wrong, I'm delighted to be instructed.

The difference I see is that for whatever reason, outsiders (especially self-proclaimed NET converts) come to the UT Fox forum to behave in a fashion they would never consider closer to home. I don't know whether they think they're slumming or whether Foxers seem an easy target after a decade of marginalization by MS, but it seems to be the trend. If you can produce a message as per above, I'll produce some from people described elsewhere as "gentlemen" but whose posts on UT are plain nasty.