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Randall Nortman
 
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I normally wouldn't bother to continue an off-topic discussion of what
constitutes a constructive response, but as it seems that every time
I've popped my head into this group over the years, there's been a
discussion of top-posting vs. bottom-posting going on, I will at least
be in good company. On that note, I'm top-posting this warning so
that sane and/or busy people can just move on to the next post without
wasting more time. My response is bottom-posted.

On 2005-08-20, Del Cecchi > wrote:
>
> "Randall Nortman" > wrote in message
> k.net...

[...]
>> Thanks for the constructive advice. Seems in short supply around
>> here.

[...]
> To summarize the advice.... That apparently wasn't the answer you were
> looking for (if you knew the answer why did you bother posting)
>

[Summarized responses quoted inline below]
>
> Which of those responses do you consider to not be constructive? Or are
> you upset that you only got 4 responses from 3 people in 8 hours? I
> think your expectations in several areas are too high. Perhaps a little
> therapy or a couple of doobies would help.


Here are a few definitions of the word "constructive":
http://www.answers.com/constructive

For your convenience, I will quote only the relevant definitions he

(a) "Serving to improve or advance; helpful"
(b) "constructing or tending to construct or improve or promote development"
(c) "emphasizing what is laudable or hopeful or to the good"

As Usenet-specific criteria, I would add:

(d) On-topic for the newsgroup(s) in which the response is posted and
addressing the issue in the original post in a positive or helpful
way.
(e) Does not make negative insinuations about the OP's psychological,
moral, intellectual, or physical deficiencies, nor about similar
deficiencies (in particular, marital infidelities) of the OP's
mother.

With these definitions in mind, let's evaluate the responses as you
summarized them:

> 1. It is too late to make much difference.


This is not constructive in any sense of the word.

> 2. Have a sample of bread tested to see if it is a real concern


I initially debated about whether this was a serious suggestion. It
certainly could have been intended as such by somebody more curious
than frugal, as it would certainly be more expensive than just buying
a Fibrament stone. However, that poster later made a post clearly
intended to insult me, so I'm thinking it wasn't a serious suggestion.

> 3. Use Parchement Paper to isolate bread from stone. (note, the paper
> can be reused a few times)


This is the only constructive and on-topic response I've gotten.
Unfortunately, I think that within a couple of years I would have
spent more on parchment paper than a real stone costs, so I'm not sure
I like the suggestion.

> 4. You are worrying way too much. If the child is not perfect in every
> way you will have a breakdown for not preventing it.


This is not constructive because, while it might be on-topic for
alt.support.ocd or alt.parenting, this is rec.food.equipment, and so
I'm looking for advice on kitchen equipment, not psychological
counseling. These responses also clearly were intended to violate
criterion (e) above rather than actually help me recognize and
overcome a problem.


This diversion of this thread from the topic at hand is partially my
fault, since I included off-topic information in my original post.
Allow me to rephrase my question, including only on-topic information:

-----
I need a baking stone which is certified by the NSF, FDA, or similarly
credible institution to be food-safe. Unless somebody knows something
I don't know, this rules out unglazed quarry tiles from the hardware
store. The ideal size would be 16"x20.5". I could get the 15"x20"
FibraMent stone for $60, or buy two of the commonly-available 14"x16"
for about the same price and cut one so that together they were
exactly 16"x20.5". Does anybody have any experience with these
stones, specifically regarding durability and baking performance? Has
anybody ever tried to make use of the 10 year warranty on the
Fibrament stones? Can anybody make other suitable suggestions?
-----

Now, let me clarify that I don't *expect* anybody to help me with
this. I'm not paying any of you. Responding is strictly voluntary.
However, since we're talking about what constitutes a constructive
response, allow me to provide some fictitious examples:

"I've had a Fibrament stone for X years, and it hasn't gotten so much
as a hairline crack on it. It replaced one of those cheap cordierite
stones that cracked easily."

"My Fibrament stone cracked when I was moving it out of the oven, and
AWMCO [did/did not] replace it under warranty."

"My cordierite stone has lasted me a long time, but I'm not sure it's
going to be easy for you to cut to size because of [some good
reason]."

"There was a study by [some reputable institution] published in [some
reputable journal] about heavy metals and other contaminants in quarry
tiles, and they didn't find anything."

"Have you thought of trying [some creative solution]?"


HTH.

--
Randall
I'm not really a pretentious prick, but I play one on Usenet.