The 'SLAM'

dneufarth · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 7:51 am

I like perusing this site although have not been in the mainframe for 16 years.

For me it's a terrific way to see today's solutions relative to the approach taken in the past.

It also keeps my brain challenged.

For others it is a great resource when needing assistance or clarity to a problem. Solutions and guidance are often pithy and brilliant.

Unfortunately, I detect a harsh edge to some replies; perhaps attempts at humor that escape language translation or just plain "slams".

I believe in reading the rules for the discussion areas, searching and stating advice when few or abstract details are presented or it appears no effort given by topic starters. Some just come off as "in your face" or harsh.

Just an observation.

Dave

Bill Woodger · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 11:09 am

Glad you enjoy reading. I always enjoy your film when I see it.

I guess it is ram_vizag's question which is the immediate proximate cause of your post.

Both mine and RahulG31's responses were intended to highlight the lack of sufficient information to be able to make a useful contribution. ram_vizag has been around a while, and (from memory) they have been similarly opaque in the past.

We have had a recent discussion of the "file vs data set" issue which comes up a lot. We're not entirely blind, but perhaps sometimes blindsided.

If you see particular examples which leave a bad taste, feel free to question them, either here, feedback, or PM to me.

And for anyone else who PM's me on this general topic, it had better be good, and as ever, don't PM me because you have something "urgent" or "the compilers not working" unless you have money and a consultancy contract ready.

Terry Heinze · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 7:08 pm

Point taken, Dave, but having been a member for many years, I can understand the frustration of having to repeat the posting guidelines over and over again which many of us do. It would save a lot of time if new posters would read the rules before their 1st post.