> Actually, professionals frequently denigrate their colleagues,
> and frequently get ahead by doing so. One of the most effective
> ways to promote yourself in academics is to find serious flaws
> in work that was previously considered "leading edge." Indeed,
> criticizing the work of others is a fundamental scientific
> activity.
This happens, but only on the pages of professional journals
or at scientific or other academic meetings. The audience can
be expected to understand and judge the material under discussion.
To use such tactics in brochures addressed at large is quite a
different matter. To see the harm, consider the statement quoted
by Dr. Velleman from one of StatSoft's brochures:
> >"There is no data transformation language included in Data Desk
> >(even simple formulas cannot be executed repeatedly in loops)."
>
On the face of it, this tells the reader that Data Desk cannot do
transformations. Fine distinctions are not made. The bald statement
is that Data Desk cannot transform data.
Dr. Steigler defends it by elaboration, and says that it means that
Data Desk cannot manipulate data in certain ways. My question is
how was the reader to know this? Does Dr. Steigler claim that the
readers will be aware of the distinction?
It hardly seems appropriate to fill a brochure with such fine points
that are almost certain to be misunderstood.
Bob Wheeler, ECHIP, Inc.