From: Richard Holt (rholt@telcel.net.ve)
Date: Thu Apr 05 2001 - 22:04:56 CEST
" > What I hope to find is a loadable module that will work with muLinux kernel version 2.0.36.
I have sent an inquiry to the author/team leader/project manager, Michele Andreoli, but he has a job, and a life,
and I'm asking for free help. "
>
> In summing up:
> asking for [free help]
> asking [for free] help ?
>
> What's the right exegesis of this sentence?
Michele,
I feel he asked on the list and still hasn't received an answer from anyone. It happens. He assumes no answer means no interest, no knowledge or no time to act.
He's probably fairly new to impersonal communication.
He's asking if *anyone* knows where to find this module.
He knows you are already very busy and he wants to find a module, already done.
He appreciates your considerable efforts but doesn't wish to presume that you will take on this additional effort without remuneration; that is "for free", gratis.
So he asks if anyone else knows where it might be found.
He feels this is a time-consuming task if the module doesn't exist; you or someone else would have to build it. At considerable effort.
I don't find it offensive. It is realistic. Yes, he should have spelled your name right but it's no big deal.
For some of us, our "life" consists of doing stuff that others find incomprehensible. I'd rather write code than go to visit customers. But I have to call on people to pay the bills.
regards,
Richard.
PS: Had to look up exegesis; "the holy writ, sorta kinda" .
> Can a English-speaking on the list help me on the right
> interpretation of the following text
> (15-16 exegesis are enough, thx!).
>
> A such "Thomas E. Lenon" sent that on the "linux-help@aclug.org"
> (I have got some CC):
>
> ====================================================================
> What I hope to find is a load able module that will work with muLinux kernel version 2.0.36. I have sent an inquiry to the author/team leader/project manager
> Michele Andveoli, but he has a job, and a life, and I'm asking for free help.
> ====================================================================
>
> My problem is with the sentence "and I'm asking for free help", because, using my poor installed english, it sounds a little irriting. To be more precise, it sounds as if I asked for money to answer the proposed question. This is because "for free" sounds like "a gratis".
>
> In summing up:
> asking for [free help]
> asking [for free] help ?
>
>
> What's the right exegesis of this sentence?
>
> Michele
>
> --
> In summing up, I wish I had some kind of affirmative message to leave
> you with, I don't. Would you take two negative messages? - Woody Allen
>
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