i have an idea given the recent past: flame off post if you have a heavy beef with a poster. that keeps the rest of us from getting involved as much fun it might be. if the email bounces then let it go. i mean if you have a problem does it make sense to involve everyone? just an idea.

-- Steve (leitz_not_leica@hotmail.com), April 26, 2002

Answers

Sorry, Steve, but you just don't understand the point of flaming. The idea is to disrupt things by making public insults and getting others involved. Besides, if you send nasty comments to someone by email, they can forward them to your ISP and get your service suspended.

I think the basic problem is that you're trying to take a sensible, mature approach to something that's fundamentally juvenile and irrational . . . ; )

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), April 26, 2002.

OT: Maybe! Let me tell you something about flames and flamers. It isn"t pretty.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1994. I went on CompuServe for about a year, then switched to four e-mail mailng lists that were devoted to the disease. Until you've been diagnosed with this damned dragon, and had to undergo therapy for it, you'll never realize how your basic manhood is threatened.

Now, the trolls have found us - - and I receive a gaggle of e-mails each day, defiling me for the loss of my virility, and sneering at me because I have this debilitating disease. It's if I had leprosly in the 1880's. The invective, nastiness, brutality and visciousness is appalling.

If you think that this web page is tough, you haven't lived. I would invite all who visit here to observe the netiquette, rational reeponse and decency that should be associated with what this list is all about.

Sincerely, George - - - an eight-year prostate cancer survivor.

-- George C. Berger (gberger@his.com), April 26, 2002.

Sometimes when I see these flame wars go on, I think later on when I am in traffic or interacting with people on a daily basis if they are how some flamers are on the internet, only being nice on the outside but on the inside freakishly ugly people. I hope they aren't, and I believe most people aren't like that. Flamers are a minority. George, it's hard for me to believe it, ridiculous those flamers I say. Oh well, what goes around comes around. The flamers are the ones who have to liev with themselves 24/7, pity the bastards. ; )

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), April 27, 2002.

Flaming on the Internet is a form of release for people who are generally cowards in person. They say things they wouldn't normally say to your face because they're behind a computer monitor.

And they get off on it! Sick!

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 27, 2002.

George, I'm sure every contributor to this forum is thumbs up and behind you 100 miles an hour! You are an inspiration and I don't give a damn about composition or exposure, every photo you take is a bloody masterpiece! I'm sure I speak for all my fellow Aussies... "G'don ya mate" from "down under"

-- Tim Gee (twg@optushome.com.au), April 27, 2002.

Thanks, Tim...

-- George C. Berger (gberger@his.com), April 27, 2002.

The idea is to disrupt things by making public insults and getting others involved.

Sorry Mike but you are guilty as well as i,so lets call it a day in the best interests of this forum.

-- Allen Herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), April 27, 2002.

George C. Berger

I can only offer respect.

-- Allen Herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), April 27, 2002.

George,

I am with you too, man. You fought the "dragon" and won. That's virility.

Best,

Alex

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), April 28, 2002.