Posted by Peter H on December 25, 2002 at 14:22:30 from 213.1.192.111 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: :) ;) %)> :( & etc,,,,,,,,,, posted by Ian Wright on December 24, 2002 at 20:46:36:
OK, fine, Ian W, but first, we all need to know what the codes mean. It is only through the kindness of Ian E-N that I now know that you were joking (i.e. winking)in your remark about enjoying AR and boat-owning. But there will be others on Tarboard who some time in the future will be similarly misled. I'll tell you something - I often urge AR-lovers (particularly in TARS) to join in the Tarboard discussions. They often say that they are nervous about posting on the web - 'you've got to know what you are doing, it's a bit of a club etc etc' Well, the use of 'punctuation codes' is not going to make them feel very welcome, is it? I'm sorry to say this, but these codes seem a bit 'nerdish' to me.
Had I known you were joking, I would not have flown off the handle. But you made no attempt subsequently to explain this, and I have to assume that anyone sailing with you will similarly be expected to know the ropes (literally) without any explanation. Well, as Sam Goldwyn once said 'Include me out'. The irony is - I seem to recall that you were the person who once objected to initals being used for AR's books!
That said, your sailing offer is a generous one, and I did not imply any 'impertinence' - that word related to the obsolete TARS form only, as is clear from my posting.
Well I think that's sorted everything out. I am now off to roast some pemmican for Christmas dinner. Have a good time all!