Anyone off to VCF-UK? - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

26 May 2010

	The degradation of this whole thread highlights _exactly_ why email is 
a horrible communication method when you need to convey opinions, 
emotions, intent, and other subjective information.
	Tony, please don't go. Even though I only read here, and only 
contribute the odd link to a classic computing article; I ( and I 
guarantee many others) enjoy and appreciate everything you contribute 
here. That's very likely why people offered to get you to the event.

	Now for some comments & observations, placed inline:

...
  Message: 2
 Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 19:08:59 -0400
 From: Evan Koblentz <evan at snarc.net>
 Message-ID: <4BFC588B.6010102 at snarc.net>
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

  But my original message asked how others would
benefit from having me there.  
 That is exactly what I * said * that you said!  And my point is, if you 
 have the attitude "What will others benefit from MY attendance," then 
 you're looking at it all wrong.  You should go to VCF for * your own * 
 benefit.  But the event certainly won't succeed or fail because of any 
 one attendee. 
	That may be what he wrote, but you seem to have taken it all wrong.

...
   Ah, I see, SO
the reason to attend a VCF is for what you can take, not
 what you can offer.  
 No, but your attitude seems to be all about yourself. 
	It may be for this particular topic; but not in any ego-centric way. It 
seems he was saying (in a round about way) 'Why do you want me to go?'.

...
  Message: 3
 Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 19:18:01 -0400
 From: Evan Koblentz <evan at snarc.net>
 Message-ID: <4BFC5AA9.7000108 at snarc.net>
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

  I think Tony's just humbly asking why
it's so important to these folks 
 to persuade him to go.  
 I think Tony's being an ungrateful schmuck. 
	And honestly, your usage of alternate names & descriptions does nothing 
good for your image.

...
   he said that
in his judgement it is not aimed at somone like him any 
 more than a dog show or exhibition of the latest sex toys might be  
 "There might be common, non-serious collectors present!  I'm too good 
 for THOSE people!"  Ugh .... spare us. 
	Hmm, nope. I'd say he thought (being a very intelligent person who 
knows quite a bit about this) was more like 'The displays there probably 
won't go into enough detail for my (Tony's) interest.' What's wrong with 
that?

...
   He might be
wrong of course and if he had attended he might well have 
 enjoyed it, but it is his choice after all; why does that offend and 
 upset so many people?  
 It offends and upsets me because he's not just saying, "Thanks, but no 
 thanks;" instead he's insulting the entire VCF franchise, all computer 
 museums, and all people who attend such things. 
	Really? Must've missed that part.

...
  ------------------------------

 Message: 14
 Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 01:13:22 -0400
 From: Evan Koblentz <evan at snarc.net>
 Subject: Re: Anyone off to VCF-UK?
 Message-ID: <4BFCADF2.1090102 at snarc.net>
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

  he had already gone there, volunteered and been
insulted, charged for entry and given no respect whatsoever. They clearly know even less
about the community of computer restorers than they do about computers.

 Will somebody who knows these people explain what they have done and at
 least get an apology for Tony.  
 None of us can speak for TNMoC or explain their (alleged) rudeness.  
 But, if they know nothing and don't care about the community of 
 collectors/restorers, then they wouldn't be hosting a VCF, nor would 
 Sellam allow them to do so.

 I'm going to speculate: perhaps Tony showed up, waltzed in, and 
 proclaimed that he knew better than all of them.  In any group or 
 company, that sort of person would be treated rudely.  He's doing the 
 same thing now: "The only reason to attend a VCF is to privilege 
 everyone else with MY presence, but those people aren't worthy MY time." 
	Perhaps, he may have; but after being a member of this list for a few 
years now, I highly doubt that what is happened. I have never seen _any_ 
evidence on this list of Tony being an ego-maniac, as you seen to be 
trying to paint him as.

...
  I see a trend here. 
	Would that be the one of you not reading his messages correctly?

...
  ------------------------------ 
	Evan  - I'm not picking at just you; it's only that this last digest 
got me to thinking that Tony is getting beat up over nothing, correction 
- misinterpretation.

	Enough is enough already.

-- 
--- Dave Woyciesjes
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