�
2001-03-16 - 18:00:18
Have you ever posted to a USENET newsgroup? USENET is this worldwide network bulletin board like thing. Most likely if you're reading this, you probably know about it. If you've used the Internet for any length of time, or you're a geek/nerd, you know about USENET. And if you've been using computers for a long time, then you know about BBS systems too.
Then you know what a lurker is too, don't you?
I'm a lurker.
Every once in a while, I'll come out of my lurk, and ask a question or state an opinion on USENET, or back in the day, a BBS.
Big mistake.
There's something about conversing in electronic form that seems to encourage people to be assholes. Whether it's just nitpicking on spelling or grammar, or just outright baiting, people are just plain rude. I mean unbelievably rude. And nuts. Especially USENET.
Don't get me wrong; USENET is one of the finest sources of information on the planet. Honestly. If you need to know something, and you have some time, posting a question to the proper newsgroup will get you all the answers you'll need. Of course you damn sure better get the question in the CORRECT newsgroup, or you'll be reviled for off topic posting. And lord knows you'll have to sift through all those answers to find ones that a) make sense, and b) aren't wrong.
It's really incredible how many brilliant people read USENET. But with them come the vilest collection of sociopaths you'll ever encounter. It seems people get some serious balls when they have a few hundred miles of wire and a computer screen between you and them.
Then there's the weenies. The nitpickers. The guys who don't register rhetorical statements. The guys who either can't read between the lines, or won't. Hell, can't or won't READ period. People who will argue semantics endlessly. Some of these posters take everything literally (and personally), and just can't seem to get past it.
The nuts. For some reason, the Internet is a haven for nut cases. Oh man, there are some real crazies online.
Then there are the trolls. These guys just want to stir up trouble. You know who you are. Please don't e-mail me; I'll have a stroke.
I'd rather just lurk.
***************
�
So, how do you like them apples?