This a first take on a COMPLEAT FAQ for the alt.sailing.asa newsgroup.
Regular participants are listed in alphabetical order. Of course there are
lurkers galore and some pretty nasty trolls (e.g., Bertie), who are best
ignored. For those who read posts from Paul Fortin, be advised that he has
no affiliation with the American Sailing Association. Also, note that some
of the people listed here have been around this newsgroup for quite a number
of years, some from the very beginning in the mid-90s. Don't take them too
seriously, including the author. :-)

Bart - Actually sails. Nice guy in person, and knows a heck of a lot about
sailing. Has some strange but not that unusual beliefs about women and guns.
Bell - Probably a sockpuppet. Usually comes across as not to bright.
Probably is smarter than he appears. Intolerant of others.
BinaryBill - Actually sails. Can be a bit caustic, but there are worse
things.
Bob Crantz - A sockpuppet blowhard. Best ignored. See Gilligan.
Bobsprit - Actually sails. Seems to be an ok person but can be excitable.
Capt. America - A blowhard. Best ignored.
Capt. Neal - Actually sails. Well sort of. Probably not very far. Takes care
of his live-aboard boat. A gov't employee. Is a crank. Has delusions of
greatness, but is probably just pretending. Deep down, he knows they're just
delusions.
Dave - Very smart. Probably sails. Probably likable in person. Has issues
about always having to be right. Reminds me of my mother.
Donal - Actually sails. Probably likable in person. A foreigner, so probably
better educated and more worldly than most. Picks his battles, sometimes not
that carefully.
Doug King - Actually sails. Very smart. Actually thinks before he types most
of the time. One of the newsgroup grownups.
FamilySailor - Actually sails. Sometimes gets confused by people who don't
think like he does.
Felton - Actually sails. Not much is known about Felton. Seems like an ok
person.
Flying Tadpole - Actually sails. Seems to have a wide range of friends and
is a smart guy. Another one of the newsgroup grownups.
Gilligan - Very smart. Probably sails or sailed at one time. Prefers to
remain anonymous, so one wonders what he's hiding.
Gonefishing - Actually sails. Seems pretty reasonable 50% of the time. The
other 50% he's dense. Fairly new to the newsgroup.
Horvath - Actually sails. Has a decent boat. Thinks acting stupid makes him
look smart and witty. Is way too sensitive about himself and his boat.
Jaxashby - Possibly actually sails. Probably has some underlying mental
problems, but that's not a deficit on this newsgroup.
Jeff Morris - Actually sails. Even handed poster. Probably very nice in
person. One of the adults.
Jim Cate - probably sails. Needs to chill about his Mac. It's neither as
good as he thinks nor as bad as others claim it to be. Personally, I
wouldn't own one, but we all have to make compromises. Should strive to
shorten his posts.
Jlrogers - Actually sails. Probably a decent guy in person, but keeps flip
flopping between being reasonable and being obtuse.
Joe - Actually sails. Has some significant personal issues, but is probably
a lot less mean-spirited in person than what comes across on the newsgroup.
John Cairns - Actually sails. Probably a nice guy. Usually has reasoned and
thoughtful responses. One of the adults.
Jonathan - Very liberal in his politics. Doesn't suffer fools lightly. Is
strident in his beliefs. The author of this FAQ, so you get what you pay
for.
Katysails - Actually sails, probably more than most. Mostly an ok person,
but needs to lay off the holier than thou crap. One of the newsgroup
grownups some of the time.
Lady Pilot - Doesn't sail. Thinks flirting makes up for her inadequacies.
Lonny - Used to sail. Now he plays music. An ok guy most of the time.
Martin Baxter - Actually sails. Always good for a witty response. One of the
adults.
MaxProp - Actually sails. Pretends to be open-minded. He once knew someone
who was liberal and liked him.
Mooron - Actually sails. Drinks too much or pretends to drink too much.
Peter Wiley - Actually sails. Seems like a smart guy. Thinks that Americans
are all the same.
Rick - A relative newcomer to the newsgroup. Seems to be thoughtful.
Sail Loco - Actually sails. Used to try and sell stuff online. Can be
egotistical if excited.
Scott Vernon - Actually sails. Probably not as mean-spirited in person as
here. Probably has a nice family life, but gets bored from time to time.
Scout - Actually sails. Probably a nice guy. Another one of the adults.
Thom - Actually sails. The old-timer of the group. Is pretty smart, but
tends to lose the thread of conversation sometimes.
Vito - Possibly sails. Has divergent views, which seem to contradict from
time to time. Not much is know about Vito.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com