ADMIN: Today's Referendum

[TECHWR-L Administrator <admin -at- RAYCOMM -dot- COM>]

From Calvin and Hobbes: (For those unfamiliar with
the cartoon, Calvin is a 6-year-old boy with an
interesting perspective on the world. In this case,
he's playing political campaign manager for Dad.)

Calvin: I think the image we need to create for
        you is "repentant, but learning."
Calvin: You know, show some humility and present
        yourself as a regular guy trying to learn
        the ropes of a difficult job.
Dad:    *Difficult* doesn't begin to describe it.
Calvin: I worked up some slogans. See what you
        think.
        "Dad--gradually, he catches on."
        "Vote Dad! This time, he'll do better."
        "To forgive is divine. Vote Dad in '98"

What's my point? Calvin's veiled threats to vote
Dad out of office and vote in a new Dad with
more compassion are amusing to those who
understand the real situation--and of course
deathly serious to Calvin. Additionally, though,
the campaign does provide Dad with some interesting
feedback on perception, as well as issues like
"Homework-gate" "Bedtime-gate", etc. While it's not
terribly scientific, it lets Dad know if he should
expect a horse head in his bed (to thoroughly mix
media and metaphors).

I've been asked a couple of times why I let the
discussion of "Had it with Eric's Rules" go on
so long. For two reasons: First, I think that
occasional meta-discourse about the list's
direction and structure is valuable. Second,
I wanted a sense of general perceptions. Between
my mailbox and the difference in numbers of subscribers
between yesterday and tomorrow, I should have a
good feeling for overall directions. (I don't
anticipate any substantive changes in TECHWR-L
administration, however.)

With that, let's take the referendum offline
and return to technical communication.

Thanks!
Eric


*********************************************************************
Eric J. Ray                                        TECHWR-L Listowner
ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com                             http://www.raycomm.com/

Syndicated columnist: Rays on Computing
Technology Department Editor, _Technical Communication_
Co-author of _Unix Visual Quickstart Guide_, _Mastering HTML 4_,
_Dummies 101: HTML 4_, _HTML 4 for Dummies Quick Reference_, others.

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