[QUOTE=rogue;283328]I've followed this thread and haven't had anything to add. Now I do.

I recommend that moderators give temporary bans to trolls and others who deliberately insult specific individuals. All of us are expected to act like adults, but some people are using this thread to gang up on Bob by tossing out insults. In this thread, he has shown more maturity than many of the rest of you.

Note that this does not excuse Bob if he does the same. He already experienced a temporary ban once for that same behavior. It is clear to me that he is resisting the consistent flame-baiting by some of the other members.[/QUOTE]

I agree with the sentiment, but wouldn't go so far as to call for anyone's banning (even temporary).

So much nastiness, so little time.

Thread locked.

[QUOTE=jasonp;283335]So much nastiness, so little time.

Thread locked.[/QUOTE]So much fun in so little time. Thread re-opened.

Sorry Jason, but I respectfully disagree. Yes, some people here have been obnoxious to an entirely excessive degree but I believe they should be given an opportunity to apologise. They know who they are.

Some people have been obnoxious to an entirely tolerable degree (but this is the Soapbox, which is why their obnoxicity is tolerable). They also know who they are. For instance, I've been called a hypocrite and would like to see a clarification of and/or justification for that remark.

Paul

[QUOTE=xilman;283344]Yes, some people here have been obnoxious to an entirely excessive degree but I believe they should be given an opportunity to apologise. They know who they are.[/QUOTE]
Could I start by apologizing for my unnecessary sneer in post #39 and repeat [URL="http://www.mersenneforum.org/showpost.php?p=184084&postcount=9"]something I said[/URL] a long time ago. It's applies just as much today as it did then.

[QUOTE]As a crank myself I have personally benefited from Dr Silverman's help here on this forum. I felt slightly silly afterwards because he roundly corrected me, but I was delighted to have my questions (they were about factorising methods) directly answered for free by a noted expert. Please don't ask him to stop helping others.
[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;282743]If I speak to an S[SIZE="1"][COLOR="Gray"]ubject[/COLOR][/SIZE]M[SIZE="1"][COLOR="Gray"]atter[/COLOR][/SIZE]E[SIZE="1"][COLOR="Gray"]xpert[/COLOR][/SIZE] and ask questions, that does not make me a student. I have spoken to (years ago) a bona fide 'rocket scientist' about the development of a whole new class of rocket (now coming to fruition). My simple questions did not make me a student of rocket science. Journalists frequently ask questions of SME's and are not made into students by such questions.[/QUOTE]Bob, can you address my assertion and examples?

[QUOTE]And she has an Erdos number of 1. So the accusation was another example
of an ignoramous in this forum shooting his stupid mouth off without
knowing what he is talking about. [/QUOTE]

But Bob, I already knew that she had an Erdos number of 1. Whats more, I know what an Erdos number of 1 means. So presuming I already knew these things, what makes you think my statement was anything more or less than bait which you are ardently chewing on?

Besides, I have an ex-wife too. They are difficult things with no heart and a big mouth so I can empathize.

But lest you think we are all ganging up on you, I would like to state clearly that this forum benefits from having you around. We just have to show forbearance and understanding a bit more often than we are inclined.

DarJones

[QUOTE=Fusion_power;283253]You have to wonder if Bob treated his wife as a "student".[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=davieddy;283308]Can't fool me. There ain't no sanity clause.

Chico Marx

Merry Christmas to all:smile:[/QUOTE]
= W[B]arning! Humour mode engaged[/B]
[QUOTE=davieddy;283313]She ain't no lady student.
She's his ex-wife.

David
(one who knows)[/QUOTE]
(Hardly seen my two sons in 20 years}
[QUOTE=R.D. Silverman;283323]And she has an Erdos number of 1. So the accusation was another example
of an ignoramous in this forum shooting his stupid mouth off without
knowing what he is talking about.[/QUOTE]
WTF has her Erdos number got to do with it?
Did the great man despise "students"?
[QUOTE=davieddy;283330]Deaf, dumb [B]and [/B]blind.[/QUOTE]
(Basil Fawlty)

This is as far as I am prepared to go by way of apology.
Please don't tell me Bob didn't recognize
"She's no lady. She's my wife".

David

(Mally number 5)

I'm sorry for telling you "putting people down" as it seems to hit a rock inside you.

[QUOTE=R.D. Silverman;283687]It's better than being a total imbecile such as yourself.[/QUOTE]

Your repeated feeble attempts at mathematics show you to be totally
clueless.

[QUOTE=R.D. Silverman;283688]Your repeated feeble attempts at mathematics show you to be totally
clueless.[/QUOTE]I have to concur: you never resort to personal insults.

(That was no insult; that was an evaluation.)