Lloyd McGhee - All Comments

re: Writing basics for computer people

Caio Proiete — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:49:51 GMT

It depends on the context, IMO.

In your examples (forum post, or blog post), I think you can feel free to talk directly to your reader.

Cheers, and welcome to Asp.net ;)

Caio Proiete

re: Writing basics for computer people

Cuban — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:24:05 GMT

Have I missed something here?

Whats wrong with "Pull back the value as a string and then convert the string value in the code behind" This elliminates refering to anyone or a person at all.

In this respect where the question is worded as "I'm" it is basic English comprehension skill to reply with "You", "A person" just sounds odd.

re: Writing basics for computer people

Mark Smith — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:28:20 GMT

I much prefer "you" over "a person".

If I am writing a reply in a forum, then I'm directly addressing the person who makes the post, or the person who is reading it, and therefore I wouldn't refer to them as if they weren't present.

re: Writing basics for computer people

Dave — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:49:56 GMT

I prefer "you" there, as well.

If someone other than the OP is reading it, they could technically qualify as "you" in their context anyway.

re: Writing basics for computer people

Colrob — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:35:49 GMT

Yup I think you're wrong as well. When you reply you are talking to a person so you is perfectly acceptable. In this reply it wouldn't make sense if I had said "I think a person is wrong".

re: Writing basics for computer people

IceMan — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:26:01 GMT

I disagree, I think "you" is much more friendly than the formal "person", sounds like a legal document to me.

re: Writing basics for computer people

rrobbins — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:43:25 GMT

I would argue that you are addressing a person and not the public so you don't want to sound too formal. It is a private conversation in a public space that other people can read for their edification.