Just an observation -- it seems perfectly reasonable for folks on newsgroups to solicit advice and opinions, make comments, etc. concerning the topics of the newsgroups. However, it continues to amaze me that people on this and other groups actually ask for legal advice, medical advice, tax advice, etc. (not for support during a problem, but for actual advice) First, do they really intend to rely on the answers they get? Do they simply collect opinions from a variety of "experts" and take the concensus to their personal attorneys, physicians, CPAs? (which, by the way, is not an appropriate use of your time and money, and causes no end of frustration to the attorneys, physicians, and CPAs) How on earth do they know who the "experts" are who reply? Are they really experts or pseudo-expert amateurs and wanna-be's? I happen to be a member of one of the professions mentioned herein, and have discussed this matter with members of my profession and other professions, and here is the general gist: no real professional in his or her right mind would consider responding to a request for professional advice from a stranger in a newsgroup! To do so brings up all sorts of issues about doctor-patient, attorney-client, CPA-client relationships -- once a relationship is established, there are clear professional responsibilities and definite liabilities to the professional. There is also no privacy privilege or expectation. Therefore, most of us simply watch the threads go by, and never respond to those requests, whether simple or complex. It's not a matter of income preservation for us, but protection for both the questioner and responder. (We also enjoy leaving work at the office, and surf the net as leisure.) So folks, CAVEAT EMPTOR. Please raise these questions directly with your physician, pharmacist, nurse, attorney, accountant. You can have a real discussion, get advice that is very carefully tailored to your personal situation and issue, and have someone who is properly licensed and who will be accountable to you.
- posted
17 years ago