Think Before Flaming

[joko@well.sf.ca.us (Joe Kohn)]

I'm really upset with a few of the messages that I've gotten today.

Did it ever occur to any of you that sent me nasty-grams that I paid the
FTA hundreds of dollars for the software that I hinted I have?  If not, I
can tell you that I paid Olivier Goguel more money for that software than
BRCC gave him to license Photonix II. Of that software that I paid for
came such titles as Easy Dead, Bouncin'Ferno, and Blue Helmet. Had I not
given the Gogs hundreds of dollars for that software, you wouldn't have
copies of those programs. Did I ever get one word of thanks for that? No.
Did I ever toot my own horn before and even tell anyone about paying
hundreds of dollars for Ferno or Blue Helmet? No.

I find it ironic that people here on c.s.a2 flame me. I have probably
done more to promote the Apple II than anyone else reading this. For the
record, I am 45 years old, and I gave up a career to devote myself full
time to the Apple II. For those of you who flamed me, let me just tell
you that I have made incredible personal sacrifices to remain working
with the Apple II. I made more money 20 years ago when I got out of
graduate school than I made last year. I choose my path, and I'm not
complaining, but I feel like an idiot at the moment, and I'm disgusted.
And, I'm doubly disgusted because one of the people that sent me flames,
I sent $20 to a week ago, just as my way to say "thanks for your
contribution to the Apple II community".

You've heard it before, but the world is composed of givers and takers.
I'm a giver, and I've been giving and giving and giving of myself and my
time to the Apple II community for many years. At least with the 30
non-profit organizations that I volunteer my time, to teach them how to
use their Apple II's, I get profuse thanks.

Well, guys, at the moment I feel like a complete fool.

Joe Kohn