User Comments - RJ

Posted on: Funny Business 5

calicartel

you really ought to consider using WLCP. Then you can download the expansion sentences in one bundle. (and other goodies).

http://code.google.com/p/wlcp/

Posted on: Turn Right, Turn Left

okay digger, I think you are often in the top ten anyway, no?

actually it seems today they are discouraging any clique building or comraderie on the boards. A bit of a 180 deg turn in policy that I think is a big mistake.

Posted on: Turn Right, Turn Left

miantiao

There was a one time event in which several people (I dont think it was ten) were given memberships to encourage growth, but I dont think it was based entirely on quantity. That was then (earlier days of cpod). This is now. I doubt it would happen again.

Posted on: Where is the Supermarket?

mepple,

"stinking" here is a slang term meaning anything you have contempt for. It is a "useless" map in this case. He doesnt want a map because the map isnt any good anyway, or not as good as the alternative of asking someone on the street.

@dogupatree (love that name) - "We dont need any stinking badges" is a famous movie quote from an old bogart film that was somewhat made famous again as a slight mis-quote in the movie blazing saddles by mel Brooks. Do an internet search for the phrase and you will find many hits. Where is Pete when you need him? :-) And its badges not badgers, I assume you were being funny.

Posted on: Where is the Supermarket?

badges? We dont need no stinking badges.

Posted on: Light and Dark Colors of Clothing

Paul

yep, Ive said it before. John is the master. Crisp, clear, balanced, and just the right amount of funny. Too bad we dont have two of him.

Posted on: A Business Dinner with a Supplier

Tal,

Yes Im aware of the golden shield but Im not sure I buy that this was the problem 8 days after the parade. But maybe. Anyway its better now.

Posted on: A Business Dinner with a Supplier

paul

Yes, the server has been a real problem. Just today I noticed it sped up. I hope it lasts. Maybe somebody finally called the server owners, now that the cpod lights are back on.

Posted on: A Business Dinner with a Supplier

Go_manly

I dont think the lessons and vocab lists need to be a closed and all inclusive air tight system. Adding vocab by mouse-over is fine, and this also allows you to save the word to your main vocab list, complete with definition. If total attention were paid to words used, it would be a very labor intensive exercise for cpod, which would lead to very long vocab lists and stiff unnatural dialog. I dont think the work-in vs the benefit-out ratio would be very favorable using this approach. In fact, even if I have to look up a word on my own now and then, I dont mind and I dont think it is unreasonable.

As far as english banter transcripts go, I would like to see that as an addition but I suspect this is a resource issue (in addition to being a teaching philosphy issue). Ranking of intermediate lessons would be nice but how do you rank? Hard or easy for who? I think the best way to accomplish this would be to have a voting button for users to rank the lesson 1-5 easy to hard. If the majority found a lesson on avg to be a 1, then you know its on the easy end of the spectrum. On the other hand it doesnt take me long to do a cursory scan of a lesson and determine how hard its going to be for me. I agree it would be nice to have a list to pick from, I just dont see it as a high priority. To achieve freedom and "on your terms" instruction one must take some responsibility for their own education and learning plan.

Language is not an exact science. As much as I depend on the analytical approach, I still have to be careful not to push it so far that I can not see the forest for the trees.

Posted on: Dare to Use 敢

Qing Wen lands on its feet. John is the master. Great chemistry. Great content.