RE: Name and location required?

[JHertzman@domain.elided]

Brian Shorey (who lives somewhere up yonder) is correct that there was never 
a mass agreement (rigid and binding, following mandatory voting) for 
everybody to include name and location with every post. But there was enough 
discussion that there seemed to be a tacit consensus among many (though 
certainly not all) that it was an easy, painless, and cost-free enhancement 
of effective communication, like the use of relatively standard vocabulary, 
spelling, capitalization and punctuation. People who don't want to conform to 
social norms are certainly free to go their own way, and their contributions 
may still earn an extra effort from others who value content (however 
difficult to unearth) more than form (however quaint), but I prefer to 
generally allign my own conduct with that of Fred, Rich Wagner, Alan Lambert, 
and many others, including (I believe) virtually all of the participants from 
Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, and Canada.

Context often does modify content. If that opinion makes me an old (insert 
the pejorative of your choice) so be it.

I would note also that Brian recently visited the Research Triangle Park area 
of North Carolina, and took the opportunity to initiate a dinner with three 
people who usually sign themselves 

Colin Verrilli
Apex, NC

Dana Loomis
Durham NC, USA

and 

John H. 
Raleigh, N.C.

He didn't, as far as I know, contact Joe Simpson (who does live in the same 
area, but Brian wouldn't have known that). Joe's loss. It was a great 
evening. Thank you, Brian, wherever you are.

John H. 
somewhere down yonder

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