Profit

[Dave2002]

I know it's not what you meant it to say, but one is not fully in control of these things, and one must accept the consequences...

Not necessarily!

[ahinton]

For me the jury's still out about Big Bill. Arguably he enabled many to acquire useful computer devices and software, but another argument is that he actually held back the development of better software aand systems by years. Many of the features of his original operating systems were in fact blatant copies of Unix features, and often implemented less well. His companies were aggressive in business, and involved in some major court cases, and - in case anyone hasn't noticed - probably didn't comply fully with the requirements following the outcomes.

Well, I was referring only to his current and recent charitable actions rather than those that enabled him the acquire the wherewithal to take them...

Having now amassed a very large fortune, I applaud that he has now decided to start to give it away, and does seem to be doing good around the world. However, not all very rich people behave like that, and also it does not follow that there was a plan to become philanthropists. Do some of these people feel guilt later at having ripped off so many, so that drives them to start to give their weath away?

I doubt it in general terms, although there might perhaps be the odd exception.

That said, you did write "having now amassed a very large fortune, I applaud that he has now decided to start to give it away" and jean's right in what she wrote about its meaning whilst at the same time being aware that it was not what you intended, which would correctly have been expressed had you instead typed "Having now amassed a very large fortune, he has now decided to start to give it away, which I applaud" (a pedant writes)...

[Dave2002]

Transfer to pedant's corner

[Richard Barrett]

I know it's not what you meant it to say, but one is not fully in control of these things, and one must accept the consequences...

So you mean dangling participles can make you rich? Speaking personally, that would be very welcome indeed.

[ahinton]

So you mean dangling participles can make you rich? Speaking personally, that would be very welcome indeed.

Depends which ones and before whom one dangles them, I guess but, apart rom that, I cannot but agree!

[Nick Armstrong]

(Were I from Dunsinane away and clear,
Profit again should hardly draw me here.)

I feel exactly the same about this thread...

[ahinton]

I feel exactly the same about this thread...

You mean you feel that you can use your time more profitably elsewhere?

Profiteroles, anyone?

[P. G. Tipps]

.... I cannot but agree!

Yes, we kind of gathered that a very long time ago ...

[ahinton]

Yes, we kind of gathered that a very long time ago ...

Who might this "we" be? Are you adopting a Grewish stance for the sake of trying to respond here? If so, I wonder why you've bothered, for all the effect that the adoption of such a stance could possibly hope to have...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Transfer to pedant's corner

Sorry to be pedantic, but it's Pedants' Paradise on this forum (and the apostrophe goes after the S).

[Nick Armstrong]

Sorry to be pedantic, but it's Pedants' Paradise on this forum (and the apostrophe goes after the S).

One hundred and EIGHTY !!!!

Nice cluster, Alpie!

[Dave2002]

Sorry to be pedantic, but it's Pedants' Paradise on this forum (and the apostrophe goes after the S).

You are assuming I was referring to a group of pedants. How dare you presume to know my intentions!

[ahinton]

Sorry to be pedantic, but it's Pedants' Paradise on this forum (and the apostrophe goes after the S).

Does that mean that we should be anticipting some paradisiac content here? "Prof., it can't be so, can it?". On the other hand, might there be profits to be made from the marketing and distribution of apostrophes and their use/misuse?

[Beef Oven!]

You are assuming I was referring to a group of pedants. How dare you presume to know my intentions!

I don't think he claims to know who you intended to refer to, more who you were referring to.

[ahinton]

I don't think he claims to know who you intended to refer to, more who you were referring to.

Perhaps so, perhaps not - but does it actually matter? and in any case would or could it profit anyone to know one way or the other?

Thatcher used to say that capitalism (by which I assume her to have meant the profiteering aspect thereof) was about how to turn sixpence into a shilling which, when I heard it, made me wonder whether it would really be worth stealing that sixpence in order to find out...