tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post2518860752495451439..comments2024-03-15T07:23:41.562-04:00Comments on You Don't Say: The joys of failureJohn McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03559687583130468871noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-25138710263343117572009-08-02T16:48:54.621-04:002009-08-02T16:48:54.621-04:00Some comments from Facebook:
Lisa McLendon
RK is...Some comments from Facebook:<br /><br />Lisa McLendon <br />RK is very successful in making himself look like the ass when he's attempting to criticize others.<br /><br />Wayne C. Countryman <br />The world awaits word of Mr. Knilands' accomplishments.<br /><br />David Belz <br />He's nothing but a mangy sidewinder. Your legacy is assured--and continues to grow.<br /><br />Mary Curry <br />I know someone who displays the same character defect it seems Mr. K possesses. There seems to be a personality disorder in those who feel the need to publicly denounce others. I believe these people have a deep-rooted hostility that was never addressed and which is misdirected towards those of whom they are jealous.<br /><br />Sherry Thien Grother <br />So ... he's moved on from Gannett Blog to yours then, huh? Props. Heh. I say, "Try again, troll" ... Heck, I saw you once in Chicago for 45 stinkin' minutes (too short!) and became a fan for life.<br /><br />Jeff Price <br />I’ve never heard of this creature before and regret that I’m hearing so much about him now, especially as I suspect he is very excited by all the attention. And John” thanks for dressing yourself in bow ties, panama hats and seersucker suits. Marvelous standard. Thanks for sneaking bourbon into the newsroom in the guise of chocolate candies. Most important, thanks for saving me and many others from the embarrassment of inaccuracies, bad grammar, tortured syntax and sometimes sheer drivel. Not you alone, of course, but you and your whole crew. <br /><br />Erik Nelson <br />I echo Jeff's sentiment, even thought I could only appreciate John's work (and not the bourbon) from a remote bueau for five years. Looking back, I remember many copy editors at other papers, many of whom did not approach their work with the same dedication -- love, even -- that John and his colleagues at the Sun did. <br /> <br />Jan Leach <br />Having known you since the start of your copy desk career, I can say with authority that you've always been passionate about language and accuracy. Readers and your colleagues gained from your commitment. That is not "failure."<br /><br />Amy Crawford <br />I once told him off on the ACES board, a very long time ago. He is nothing.<br /><br />Phil Fisher <br />'Not wired to code' -- a fine and artful insult. I, too, was there with you at the start. Copy editing isn't always a career with a lot of upward mobility, but it's hard to imagine a more successful career than yours, or one that's had more influence on the profession generally.John McIntyrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03559687583130468871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-83808687676947978872009-08-02T13:27:11.848-04:002009-08-02T13:27:11.848-04:00Thank you for this post. I am one of those visitor...Thank you for this post. I am one of those visitors who frequently returns to your blog. I was laid off from my job as a senior designer/copy editor at a midsize newspaper and have struggled with the sense of failure even though I recognize that I did a good job and the people I supervised also did a good job. I, too, walked out with the affection and respect of those I worked with in the newsroom as well as in other departments. And knowing that does help me get through some of the more grim days. (Love the phrase "not wired to code." I know several people who fit the description.)Karennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-64088404044127320112009-08-02T06:58:34.675-04:002009-08-02T06:58:34.675-04:00We all wish these kind of failures, if these are c...We all wish these kind of failures, if these are considered failures.<br /><br />My profound respects-<br /><br />Steve Pinardi<br />(CS Researcher)Stefanohttp://science-deibaidei.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-49399320719815096912009-07-31T15:53:38.747-04:002009-07-31T15:53:38.747-04:00Patricia (lovely name, the same as my darling wife...Patricia (lovely name, the same as my darling wife's, whom I sometimes wish would be terse), the phrase I heard was along the lines of "I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed man."<br /><br />Retired in ElkridgeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-53917025927161509332009-07-31T02:29:33.623-04:002009-07-31T02:29:33.623-04:00I suspect Mr Knilands - whoever or whatever he is ...I suspect Mr Knilands - whoever or whatever he is - is one sharp short of a key signature.It's clear he has little to add to any conversation that isn't about him. Ignore him: it's difficult to have a battle of wits with the half-witted. Now for something really important. How about a new photograph of you for la Saison d'Ete?Patricia the Tersenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-13222087706184109302009-07-30T16:04:33.580-04:002009-07-30T16:04:33.580-04:00It is the height of class to be able to respond wi...It is the height of class to be able to respond with a voice of truth and gentle humor to pitiful folks who are not wired to code. (I'm a bit self-conscious about that sentence, but hopefully it conveys my appreciation). Hat's off to you!cherie bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-843048306417251152009-07-30T15:36:58.722-04:002009-07-30T15:36:58.722-04:00I googled 'Robert Knilands' and found lots...I googled 'Robert Knilands' and found lots of references to him being banned from various sites; an interview at syracuse.com which described him as having one of the most "outspoken" voices (you have to admire that choice of adjective) on newspaper design and editing and in which he goes on at length about the failings and 'mistakes' of others (without really specifying the mistakes in question); and a blog / web-site (Wenalway.com - "where the content matters," which I would think was a joke if the guy weren't the way he is) with no design to speak of and practically no content either. I won't bore you with its many technical shortcomings except to say that it breaks almost all the sensible rules of webmastering, and has a Google PR (3) which my 11-year-old nephew would be ashamed of and an Alexa rating so low (no data) its traffic must be almost negative. So forget him - the Internet already has done.John Rosshttp://johngordonross.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-63878614352346537222009-07-30T15:14:23.871-04:002009-07-30T15:14:23.871-04:00Ooh, I like that phrase, "not wired to code&q...Ooh, I like that phrase, "not wired to code". Very nice.Gordon P. Hemsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08144624867177981541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-38765258625438451842009-07-30T14:27:06.303-04:002009-07-30T14:27:06.303-04:00Your response was classy, John, but you're giv...Your response was classy, John, but you're giving this troll far more attention than he deserves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-79723165706823328962009-07-30T14:19:38.773-04:002009-07-30T14:19:38.773-04:00We never worked together. However, I'm one deg...We never worked together. However, I'm one degree of separation from you -- by way of a mutual acquaintance on the Washington Post foreign desk, where, at 36, I served as the world's oldest intern in 2007. Said acquaintance would not confirm whether you were a pompous ass, but did admit that you were "quite a character." She smiled when she said that, for what it's worth. <br /><br />In my short (four years) tenure as a copy editor, I found your missives on "You Don't Say" to be both instructive and entertaining.<br /><br />The news business, whether it issues its product on paper or pixels, could use a few more "fossils" on its desks to "parse words." Reporters (like all writers) have a knack for choosing the wrong word on occasion, and a good copy editor can spare them, and the publications that employ them, unnecessary embarrassment. <br /><br />As far as the pompous assery goes, I share your views on the martini, at least. Despite your instruction, I have not yet mastered the skill of tying bow tie. <br /><br />The Sun is poorer for your absence. I wish you continued success in your future endeavors.Keithhttp://www.uky.edunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-37006450338351423962009-07-30T14:06:55.789-04:002009-07-30T14:06:55.789-04:00If Mr. Knilands is looking for failure, he need go...If Mr. Knilands is looking for failure, he need go no farther than his nearest mirror. You, on the other hand, are the antithesis of the term.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16156896794811327893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-65842828930595587402009-07-30T14:06:48.096-04:002009-07-30T14:06:48.096-04:00Congratulations on keeping your civil tongue and y...Congratulations on keeping your civil tongue and your good humor while responding to someone who is obviously a jerk.chessarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05265192960662246841noreply@blogger.com