Donna Garverick wrote:
> seriously though....i think as a whole we've become somewhat
> argumentative and more touchy than normal.  you how when your day
> starts out bad, everything seems to just go downhill from there?  i
> think all this venting about hp's (perceived?) treatment of mpe has
> unfortunately caused this side-effect.

Donna, I have trouble separating the impact of the venting from the
pent up frustrations, disappointment, and/or anger that have been
building up for some time.   It's very human to avoid talking about
difficult issues because when we talk we face up to the issue head on
and the unpleasant aspects come out.   I don't want to throw the baby
out with the bathwater.

In my book a mark of professionalism is to raise important issues even
when it is inconvienent, not "politically correct", or unpleasant to
do so.   It seems to me that the consequences of doing the opposite,
saying nothing and therefor doing nothing as a group, are worse.   In
the process I am, of course, committed to  respectful and productive
conversation.   That is the path of what I might call the gracious or
gentlemen professional.

Respectfully,

Cortlandt Wilson
Cortlandt Software
www.cortsoft.com  (MANMAN 3rd party  Resources site)
(650) 966-8555