Re: Unsolicited email from Ian Joyner

[Bertrand Meyer <Bertrand.Meyer@eiffel.com>]

Andrzej Lewandowski wrote:

> 
> All this is really interesting. Exciting. Clever. BUT WHY DO YOU POST
> THIS CRAP TO 4 PROFESSIONAL GROUPS???
> 
> Gentlem[e]n - back to the kindergarden with your "discussion".

This is rather unfair. Ian Joyner was the object of
an absurd and unwarranted personal attack. He
was obviously entitled to defend himself
by posting one message, on the same channels on which
the original attack came. The message was exactly
as it had to be -- calm, polite, and sticking to the point.

After that there was nothing else to say. It is the message
quoted above that creates noise and risks generating more noise
(such at the present message, which simply hopes to
reestablish the obvious --  not trigger even more
messages with no technical content).

All this is none of my business but I was struck by the tone
of the above message, especially with its use of the
word "Gentlemen" which creates a false symmetry between
a normal, considerate poster (Ian Joyner) and Usenet
abusers. This is exactly the aim that these abusers
seek and they should not be helped. Defending oneself,
simply and factually against personal attacks is perfectly
legitimate and can in no way be construed as "POSTING CRAP".

This is *not* an attack on Mr. Lewandowski as I think
he simply didn't see all the context. I really hope
no more is said on the issue and the group discussions
limit themselves to technical topics.

--
Bertrand Meyer, Interactive Software Engineering
ISE Building, 2nd floor, 270 Storke Road, Goleta CA 93117
805-685-1006, fax 805-685-6869, <Bertrand.Meyer@eiffel.com>
http://eiffel.com