OED

[jrtom]

I have just discovered that Google, unlike Microsoft, does not have a site license for the Oxford English Dictionary website.

This has occasioned my most significant regret for my decision to join Google.

(That is to say, things are generally going quite well. More on this later, probably.)

Comments

[nancymcc.livejournal.com]

We'll be sure to quote your second sentence out of context when we talk to nosy journalists about your stellar career. ;-)

Actually, I've spent lots of time with people who are very cagy about anything they say on the net or do to get themselves into databases (I even had a sweetie who wouldn't have credit cards -- not out of certainty that there are bad guys, but on the principle that there could at some point be).

I honestly think I'd rewrite it to say, "when something this trivial is the biggest thing I might regret, then things are going quite well." Perhaps I am demonstrating the media's notion that there's a huge generational difference on online disclosure.

[jrtom.livejournal.com]

You make a good point, and I appreciate your bringing it up. There are a very few posts that I've friendslocked for similar reasons.

However, in this particular case...I might rephrase it--or, more likely, make it clearer that I'm happy, for a variety of reasons, that I made the change. But I can't stop someone from misquoting me, or quoting me out of context, and that can have arbitrarily perverting effects. Anyone that actually reads what I wrote will immediately recognize my intent; that's the best that I can hope for. (Absent, of course, being completely silent about certain topics...which is the approach that I take for topics that are likely to get _other_ people in trouble. :) )

that may be...

[amnesiadust.livejournal.com]

But I, for one, would not be quite sure what to make of your post without the mitigating third sentence, as I can imagine how lack of open access to the OED could be a deal-breaker for you. :)

Re: that may be...

[jrtom.livejournal.com]

Right, but that's my point: the third sentence is (clearly, to me) part of the context.

(Honestly, I enjoy the OED but it's not actually that _important_ to me. :) )

[nancymcc.livejournal.com]

I guess that part of why I responded was that I didn't get it *immediately*. Just enough hint of ambiguity that a perverted reader like me will get it wrong the first time. I knew enough to say, "wait!" and go back and re-read.

Barely-related anecdote: In high school biology, I repeatedly got Bs on tests. Each time, I reviewed the scoring and then went to the teacher and pointed out how my answer was a correct response to a legitimate interpretation of the question. He knew I wasn't gaming (because I was such a goody two-shoes), so he'd change my points on one or two questions. Et voila, an A!

I interpreted this to mean that I didn't think at all like biological scientists (I did fine in physics), and I should avoid the field if I didn't want endless headaches.

[jrtom.livejournal.com]

On reflection...I misspoke. I actually _did_ want to set up a small amount of tension via ambiguity (what? he doesn't like working for Google?) and then relieve it.

But as for your specific concern, all I really care about, honestly, is that if someone whose opinion I care about says "what's this about you trashing Google because it doesn't provide what would be for you a completely frivolous service?", I can point to this entry and move on.

I've done similar things on tests before. :)