Hi Doug --

>What kind of approach have you seen work?
>
>We've never had these sorts of disputes and (let's call it what it is) little temper tantrums in any of the forums I've operated or helped operate.

Ok... Then who's getting upset here, and why?

Well, yesterday, JVP seemed to get extremely "angwee" at me and has only posted once or twice since. Just a half-hour, or so, ago, Mike was becoming visibly aggitated with my references to his age. Someone got upset enough to cancel my account, and someone else got upset enough to slap me with an official "First Warning."

Why? Hell if I know. <evilG>

>I happen to think there's a kind of floating 'spot' somewhere betweeen 1)written rules and 2)cultural 'rules' and 3)personal 'rules'.
>
>I think you worry too much. <g> HTH!

<g>

Nahhh.. It's in the blood to analyze things Karl. You should know that by now.

Hey, Mike!!! You see? I don't make this sh!t up -- it's for real. <bg>

(Mike didn't believe me when I dropped a reference to this, earlier, Doug. Thanks for helping me with the requisite cite. <g>)

>I'm starting to wonder whether or not, during the course of this ..er.. exchange <g> that there has been some mixups on which of these we're attempting to codify?
>
>Heh, the problem, don't ya see, is the very process of codification, not what's being codified.

Well, then why are people spending so much time and effort over what amounts to hair splitting then?

<vbEvilG>

I've posted my approach - treat others as you would like to be treated and throw those who don't respond over the railing. Couldn't be much plainer than that. <g>

Pretty much a fairly decent rule to live by, yep.

>Without going into the particulars at this point, do you think that this might be a useful direction to investigate? I do, but before we proceed I'd like to know if you're interested.
>
>Why is my opinion important?

Well, you know Karl, I was trying to figure the very same thing out myself. *bg*

LOL! Perhaps my work here is done? ;-)

Later... Karl