We're Newbie Friendly (was: constructive criticism on this list?)

[Chris Gray]

OK, that Flash discussion did get messy and drift off in the direction of
a Linux holy war, but generally this list is newbie friendly and people
who ask for help with a problem in a Web page usually get the solution
that they need.

They also sometimes get feedback about better ways of doing things.  
There is a grey area here that blurs from limited technical solutions (to
achieve A, do B) to best practices (C will get you there but D makes
things easier in the long run) to moral imperatives (you _ought_ to do
E).  Even the oughts and shoulds have there place (we ought to make our
sites accessible).

But as we move along this continuum we move from verifiable
cause-and-effect into areas where tempers can flare.  In the end its best
to remember we are all newbies sometimes and there's always something we
can learn.

OK, enough motherhood for now,

Chris

On Wed, 7 Aug 2002, Drew, Bill wrote:

> After all of the negative comments the last few days, I am worried about the
> health of this list.  I have received several off list messages from
> relative new comers here.  Most said they would be very reluctant to ask for
> any comments on their web pages because of the feedback I was getting over
> my use of Flash.  The common thread running through them was one of
> wondering why so many saw this as a black or white issue without any shades
> of gray.  Several also commented that my page can be used by those with
> javascripts turned off as well as those not installing and plugins.  
> 
> I found much of the discussion to be of value even when I did not agree with
> it.  I did get my question answered.  I am also looking for alternatives to
> the javascript used to make the page display full screen.
> 
> 
> Bill Drew
>