Is everybody still alive out there?

Most of the forums I visit are pretty quiet.  Three radio boards, a tractor board, TV, audio.  The busiest is the fan forum.  

How about if I pick on modern language some more?  There are all sorts of excuses for sloppiness, none of which make any sense to me.  Incorrect spelling, horrible grammer, butchered sentences are all products of modern technology and folks being in too big a hurry, I suppose.  Perhaps they don't want to use their minutes wasting it on correct spelling.  I really dislike:

"Counsel or consul" when the intended word is "console".

"Atrack" or "atrax" when the correct terminology is "8 track."

"Needs a needle" is used instead of "the record player does not work."

"Jug" is used instead of picture tube or CRT.  Yeah, I made a fool of myself and asked.  

"Prolly needs a tube" when the intended response should be "It does not work, period."

And "wordsallruntogetherinasentencemispelledwordsnopunctuationallsmallletters"

And last, but high on the list is "Maggie."  What is wrong with Magnavox?  

Let's hear your suggestions.

WC

If they want to use terms that they alone can understand to sell radios, they can keep them. I've been doing yard work this weekend.

In most cases I just let spelling errors to pass without concern. I am not without making mistakes myself. As for the use of "Maggie", it does impart a gender to the brand. Yes, I am guilty of using it, only because I know it bothers you!
My pet peeve is when posters do not provide at least a first name to respond to it seems so impersonal. Some are worse than others in terms of their "handles".
Jerry

A-tack for 8 track
Magnumbox for Magnavox
Vinyl reader for a record player tone arm

I understand the desire of people to not use their real names online.

WC

I don't believe that a first name sign off would seriously hurt your security. It would make responding more social and direct, kind of like you know the person.
We are back in AZ now for a couple of weeks to have some radios picked up and some of the wife's sewing stuff. Back to CA until after the first of the year.
Take care and I hope all is well with you and the other Mods.
Jerry

I don't believe that a first name sign off would seriously hurt your security. It would make responding more social and direct, kind of like you know the person.

This is a great idea Jerry and hopefully it will catch on!


Larry

It seems so easy. A fake first name would be just the thing to assuage any misgivings on the part of the customer. Kind of like the ones they use on long distance help lines.

Amusing topic. I've seen most of those errors myself, and a few more. Like others, I tend to overlook the ignorance of sellers, because often that ignorance plays to my advantage. What I do find amusing, however, is when a seller shows pictures of tube radios and describes them as transistor sets.

I've seen record players referred to as vinyl disk players, which I suppose is technically accurate.

I've also seen old tube radios referred to as Stereos... which, of course, they aren't.

I've seen reference to cylinder phonographs as as tube players. Last Friday, at therapy, our life guard referred to my cylinder phonographs as garbage can record players.

I'm another Greg.  

Slightly off-topic but:

Why do you reckon that people who are trying to sell something don't take the time to at least clean it up a bit?

WC

That's something I prefer to see. It is more likely then that someone hasn't taken the time to plug it in turn it on and smoke it for you. And then say that someone with the expertise could easily fix it.

That is a point I had not considered. Some of the items you see for sale are really nasty looking on the outside. Not cleaning the "guts" I can understand. The outside of the cabinet could be at least dusted with no damage or effect on the operating condition, could it not?

WC

Nice to meet you Larry!
Jerry

Wildcat445 wrote:That is a point I had not considered.  Some of the items you see for sale are really nasty looking on the outside.  Not cleaning the "guts" I can understand.  The outside of the cabinet could be at least dusted with no damage or effect on the operating condition, could it not?

WC

I would if I were selling it. But that is a tall order from someone who has no idea what they are selling.

jerryhawthorne wrote:Nice to meet you Larry!
Jerry

Same here Jerry!

Wildcat445 wrote:Slightly off-topic but:

Why do you reckon that people who are trying to sell something don't take the time to at least clean it up a bit?  

WC

Maybe the dust and filth are original to the piece, and removing them would devalue it.

I suppose that it would follow, using your logic, to justify the high prices they are asking because the piece has the original dirt on it.

WC

So now, all you have to do is get a load of radios, slather them with some Old English or wood milk or Havoline and load them up in a nice open trailer and go for a nice 5 or 6 hour jaunt on some desert dirt roads and whoomp, there's your retirement fortune.

That would not be original dirt.  

It would cost me to get the rig cleaned up after I made my fortune.  I have given up on ever making any money.  I spend it well, though.  

You haven't been watching the Phoenix weather babes lately, huh?  We got .24 inch of rain and they have interviewed everybody around here asking them how they coped with all that rain.  Some hoopty got flooded and an old shack on the West side lost its roof.  It made the local weather, like a Presidential speech or something.  They actually interrupted Judge Judy to tell us it was raining.  

WC

Oh no WC, not interrupting Judge Judy! We had decent rain probably an inch last night but it didn't make the news. I did turn off the drip system and may be time to close up for the cold weather. Don't forget to sign off with you first name even if it is fake! We now know "Larry", time for you and "75" to own up!
Best, Jerry

I did own up!  Did you read my post?  

Interrupting Judge Judy had better be some big deal.  Telling me it's raining is NOT one.  

Most of my buddies back home still call me Wildcat.  That was my CB handle back when I was somebody.  "WC" is quicker to type than the whole thing.  Since you don't call Magnavox "Maggie" anymore, I'll 'fess up.  AGAIN.  


GREG

Nice to meet you Greg! I would never use my CB handle on anything. OK, don't tell anyone. JellyFish. Don't refer to me as that!
Nice to meet you Greg. Now if we can get "75" to own up to a name.
Yes I did see your post but not certain that was your name or referring to the other Greg. Sorry.
Best, Jerry

PS: Your still "somebody" and always will be.

We are lucky enough to have two Greg's on this forum.

I know 75's first name.

It's "Seventy."

"This is the one westbound Wildcat. Chicken fried, petrified and on the side. Bye-bye" (That's some trucker talk for you from about 1975 or so.) No charge.

Wildcat, WC, GREG