I agree with both Gayle and Barry yet have one reservation.  I was hit several times on this server for answering very general questions and told salespeople should not be on HistoNet.  Although my answers had nothing to do with any product we sell and by the way I am not a sales person, just technical and product development.  After the second incident that several others came on and agreed we were not welcome I stay off 99% of the time.  It is difficult to walk the line here and not be on privately only.  I do agree that if it is a sales pitch it should not be on the line as a reply that should be private answers only. 
Thanks for letting me say this and I hope no one is offended.
Pam Marcum

-------------- Original message -------------- 

> Thank you Barry - very well said. 
> 
> Gayle Callis 
> MT,HT,HTL(ASCP) 
> Research Histopathology Supervisor 
> Veterinary Molecular Biology 
> Montana State University - Bozeman 
> Bozeman MT 59717-3610 
> 
> At 09:02 AM 8/5/2004, you wrote: 
> 
> >I hate to see the word "flamed" as here in sunny Houston it has been in 
> >the upper 90s for about 2 weeks. 
> > 
> >While I appreciate people's perception about getting "flamed" when they 
> >have posted items, I have a real problem with posting most items 
> >privately. 
> >Histonet is an extremely valuable resource and there is a vast amount of 
> >expertise available. It is only logical for this knowledge and 
> >experience to be freely shared. 
> >I can't say that I have been "flamed" (or even mildly scorched) but 
> >sometimes I make mistakes and post incorrect information. It is a 
> >valuable learning experience for me and all interested parties to have 
> >any errors corrected. Sometimes it is matter of perception and how 
> >criticism is leveled (being brutally frank is not a good attitude). 
> >"Flaming" may be perceived by one individual to have occurred while 
> >another may regard a response as constructive criticism. 
> >If anyone here gets "flamed" or has their employer contacted by a 
> >company about a posting then please let us know. Companies do respond 
> >positively to public opinion. Any companies with such an attitude this 
> >should be held accountable and so should employers for not telling the 
> >company or their representative to take a hike. 
> >I do believe that if someone requests private responses that this be 
> >respected. Second, I believe that when responding one should be careful 
> >when criticizing a piece of equipment or a company. Negative criticism 
> >sticks and while this may be true for a particular individual it could 
> >be an isolated incident and due to many factors. Not everyone knows 
> >how to deal effectively with companies (and not every company knows how 
> >to deal responsibly with customers). I think that such listings should 
> >be private. The individual who receives these could then let us know 
> >about the final results in the form of a summary. 
> >If I am to get "flamed" for this or any other postings please include 
> >"flamed" at the start of the message so that I don't' just think that 
> >the response is constructive criticism. 
> >Barry 
> > 
> > 
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> 
> 
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