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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Steve,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>When
I first read your response to my long e-mail, I took it more as a dark-humored
joke. I get flak from some of my best friends about my long e-mails, and I have
always viewed the Groop as a bunch of light-hearted people, who share the same
quirky sense of humor since we all read and enjoy the same comic. Therefore, I considered
your e-mail playful, if anything. However, after your reply to the “snarkiness”
reference I have to wonder.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>What
I have to wonder about is whether I really did offend you somehow, whether it <span
class=GramE>be</span> because of your perception of me slamming the “Those
Who Fear Groo” Forum or just because I write lengthy e-mails. While I
have always had a hard time limiting my writing (I type fast, and besides…
the point of writing is to communicate ideas, so I generally try to convey all my
thoughts at once so I do not really have to follow up later on), I think you
may have misinterpreted where I was coming from with my lengthy e-mail.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>I
honestly was not trying to slam the TWFG forum at all. Like I said, I originally
joined it early on when it was established. Heck, I even created my own
animated gif avatar for that forum. It was just that after some time I found
myself visiting it less and less. Over the years I have joined other unrelated web-based
forums, and the same thing tends to happen with them as well. If I were to visit
and navigate my way through a separate interface for all the forums I joined at
one time or another to keep up on everything going on… the little free
time I have would disappear pretty fast. My wife certainly would not be pleased,
that is for sure. <span class=GramE>Admittedly…</span> (and I say this
with humor to lighten things up a bit) maybe part of it also has to do with how
I tend to write long thought-out posts, so any potential inactivity time-out
feature functioning on a web-based forum might log me out. </span></font><font
size=2 face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;
mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:
Arial;mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings'><span
style='mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings'>J</span></span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>The
primary point of that long e-mail was a response to how </span></font><st1:City><st1:place><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Gary</span></font></st1:place></st1:City><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> admitted he
was behind the times in keeping up on all these newer social/networking sites.
I was merely trying to imply that it is not essential or totally necessary for
everyone to keep up with every new method of communicating on-line…
regardless of a person’s technological know-how. It just seems like a
person is being left behind in the dust more-so if they are not as
super-tech-skilled as some people.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>With
what I have clarified, Steve, I do hope you re-asses any negative opinions of
me, which you may have formed. There really should not be any significant reason
why any Groopie should dislike another (except for maybe being outbid on eBay
over that one elusive Groo item a person might be missing from their
collection). I would imagine Sergio and/or Mark would think any idea of feuding
Groop members would be ridiculous and even comical… wait maybe we should
keep escalating the tension, so that we become the basis for an idea in a new
Groo story! <span class=GramE>Us</span> Groopies should support anything to
help encourage another Groo story, right!?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>Seriously
though, just to be a devils advocate against myself as a demonstration of me
extending an olive branch (not to hit you with it, but to… what is the
point of that saying anyway? It’s a good thing though, I swear!) I would
like to agree with you on some of the points you followed up on… I
totally agree with you when it comes to not having to worry so much about
viruses when using the TWFG forum. Having to log-in to a forum definitely has
advantages in that department. It also definitely avoids the worry of exposing
your personal e-mail address to spammers scanning the world-wide-web for active
e-mail addresses to hit. Personally, like I said earlier, I am fairly
tech-savvy so I know how to screen bad stuff pretty well. Therefore using a
forum does not benefit me personally so much in that department.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>In
terms of including images through links to third-party sites rather than
directly in a forum post, I also must agree with you. I can certainly see why
you would view that suggestion of mine as stupid. In retrospect I realize when
I first said that I was thinking of one of those other forums I mentioned. In
that other forum, you were able to include an image, but it would only appear
as a text-link or thumbnail to the forum’s gallery pages on a separate page,
where you then had to navigate further to select and view the full-resolution
version of the included image. That was a bit annoying, but now I fully recall
that the TWFG forum allows you to directly imbed images in your posts, and I am
correcting myself.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>Something
else to keep in mind, which is related to on-line images and strengthens Steve’s
points, is that each time a person views an image in their personal e-mail the remote
server that stores the image can keep track of who is viewing that e-mail
because of the IP address info zooming back and forth behind the scenes. That
means that a spammer can send out an e-mail with even just a 1-pixel
transparent image in it, and if your e-mail program displays it, then that
spammer now knows you have an active e-mail address, which they can continue to
send junk mail to. My own e-mail program blocks automatic viewing of such
images unless given permission each time or through previously established
rules. A good example of this is how our fellow Groop member YodaZone sometimes
includes little images (I think they are small blue fishes) after some of his
text lines, almost like a graphical smiley face. Well, I use to see those all
the time with my previous e-mail address, but now they are blocked, which is why
I do not remember exactly what they look like. I never told my program to block
<span class=GramE>them,</span> it just automatically did, so I hope I have not
offended YodaZone! </span></font><font size=2 face=Wingdings><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;
mso-hansi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-char-type:symbol;
mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings'><span style='mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:
Wingdings'>J</span></span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>By
the way Steve, once again in my own situation I have my own server space, so it
has always been convenient for me to post whatever files or images I wanted on
my FTP server fairly easily without having to use any on-line photo gallery. That
made it convenient for me to include links directly to stuff for people to
access without anyone else having to worry about any extra bandwidth from ads
or logging into another web site. I mentioned those free sites mainly as an
example for those users, who might not have their own FTP server space
available to share files through. I certainly agree with you about the terrible
security level of images posted on those free photo gallery sites (or any ultimately
publicly viewable site for that matter, even a forum). All it takes is a little
bit of relatively easy visual code scanning of the web page html source. I
never did say using a photo gallery site would be secure though.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>Oh
yeah, another supporting reason to include in your arguments for the TWFG
forum, as Shawn the girl points out (Yes, I read your e-mail too Shawn, thank
you!) is that not only is Mark on it, but so is Stan. For some reason, I seem
to also recall something about either Dark Horse originally setting up the TWFG
forum or at least people at Dark Horse monitoring the TWFG forum. Am I wrong
about that? I can see myself mixing up the Dark Horse forums with the TWFG
forums. By the way, I joined the Dark Horse forums too, but primarily to throw
in votes for Groo stuff. Other than that, the Dark Horse forums are yet another
web forum I do not keep up on.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>So
Steve… if you have read this far that is… ;)<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>I sincerely hope there are no negative
feelings lingering because of my previous post or this one. I do have some
questions for you, which I am curious about.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>1)
When you said, “I read about a third of your message (more than
usual)” were you referring that my post was more than usual, or were you
saying you read a third of my message and that was more than you usually read
of my writings? I ask simply because the latter would be funnier to me.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>2)
In my initial <span class=GramE>response <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>to</span> the reply with the reference to
“snarkiness” (MUCH shorter I should point out), I joked that I
might get revenge on your supposed “snarky” reply by starting to
revisit the TWFG forum once again and perhaps sharing my long winded thoughts
there so you would have to deal me there too and thus have nothing to thank me
for. That was definitely written to be funny. However, after reading your
follow-up message I had to ask myself if I really was offensive somehow and
whether I originally gave the TWFG forum a fair chance. At the moment, though I
have no clue if I really would have the extra free time to catch up on
everything there, I am considering the possibility of returning to the TWFG
forum. I do sometimes wonder if I am missing out on things over there. If I did,
it would be for sincere reasons, and not as any revenge no matter how funny
some might think that idea would be. What I am wondering though, is whether you
honestly would rather not have to deal with my notoriously long posts on yet
another group/forum, or whether you would indeed wish to welcome me there. As I
have stated, I think I can live without including the TWFG forum, so if you or
anyone else really does not want me there I would not be hurt my feelings…
that much </span></font><font size=2 face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:
Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:
Wingdings'><span style='mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings'>L</span></span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>Writing
this message did remind me if I do start checking out the TWFG forum again,
then I would have to update my profile there with my new e-mail address. I
actually went ahead and did that just now, but I will not start revisiting it
until I get feedback from you or others. By the way, when I updated my profile on
TWFG, I did notice there are drop-down options during the log-in for how long a
user can have the system keep them logged in. Well, one of those options is “Forever”,
so it looks like someone had me and my long posts in mind when they set that
up!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>Something
else to consider for me personally not keeping up with the TWFG forum…
you obviously can see how thorough I am about writing messages, well I am sad
to say, I am also KIND OF compulsive about reading posts. I read every Groop
post as well as all the messages from other unrelated e-mailing lists I get. At
the TWFG forums, posts are all over the place in terms of message threads,
subject headings, and such… that kind of chaos stresses out an uber-orderly
mind like my own. Therefore if you really want to be mean-spirited (or “snarky”
if you prefer) you would greatly encourage me to return to the TWFG forum. ;)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Shawn (the girl),<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>If
it becomes apparent Steve fell asleep during this long post or simply abandoned
it part way through (I swear the length of this reply to him is not a form of
revenge!), would you maybe just tell him “Tone said he was sorry.” …
thanks. </span></font><font size=2 face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings'><span
style='mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings'>J</span></span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Trying to be as non-skarky, snarkless, <span class=GramE>de</span>-snarkified
as possible…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>_<i><span style='font-style:italic'>TONE</span></i>_<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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