July 27, 2002
 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DOWNLOADING DRAFT ESSAYS FROM

WAYS OF RELATING


This web page is intended to facilitate downloading of the essays I have written as part of my unfinished book, tentatively entitled, Ways of Relating.  Eventually the whole book will be online, but that time is far in the future.  Note that the essays come in three formats:  WordPerfect 10, pdf, and html.  The links will only work if you download the WordPerfect files, but you can probably figure out the correct links from the pdf and html versions also.
 

IMPORTANT:  READ THE MATERIAL ON EXTENSIONS BELOW (SHOWN IN RED).

 

WHERE TO GET THE ESSAYS

Presumably you arrived at this web page from the main page showing what will eventually become the book's table of contents.  (If you didn't get here that way, here is a link to it.)   After you've finished reading these instructions, return to that page.  It shows each essay, each separate chapter's table of contents, and so on.  Those essays I'm ready to let people see have been made into links, so all you have to do is click on the link to get the essay you want.  Essays having no links are those not ready for prime time.  However, if you are particularly interested in a particular subject, email me and we'll see what we can arrange.  Please note, however, that even if there is a link and you are able to download the essay, it is still in draft unless I specifically indicate otherwise, and I ask that you not quote from it or refer to it without asking me first.  Also note that all the material is copyrighted by me (or by the copyright owner, for work quoted beyond the limits of "fair use").

LEVELS OF COMPLETION

As I work on an essay I indicate its "completion level", i.e., how complete I consider it or - to be blunt - how frustrating it will be to read it.  This completion level will appear under each link.  I value your comments and hope for your feedback, but these essays are posted "as is".  I don't want to be censoring myself as I write for fear they won't look polished.  If you find that the essay(s) require more work to read than you are willing to give, don't read them.  But as I say, all criticism that helps me improve the book is welcome.  I don't even demand that it be constructive, because even your failing to grasp a point tells me that I need to explain it better.  (Not to mention that I might indeed be wrong and surely want to know it, regardless!)  I do ask that you not flame me -- call me names or otherwise abuse me -- if you don't like my opinions.

DOWNLOADING AN ESSAY

The links on this web page are to the various essays constituting the book.  When you click on a link, what should happen is that your internet browser -- I use Netscape -- will ask you whether you want to open the file or save it.  The essays themselves are in WordPerfect 6/7/8/9/10 format, and if your browser recognizes that fact (and you have WordPerfect), clicking on "open the file" will start up WordPerfect (if it wasn't already started) and open it as a regular document to read, print, whatever.

WHAT? -- YOU DON'T HAVE WORDPERFECT?  NO PROBLEM!

If you don't use / don't have WordPerfect, Microsoft Word can convert the files to its format, and they should interlink properly then.  (I imagine many other word processing programs can do the same.)  If the conversion doesn't work, please write me so that I can add the appropriate instructions here.  However, that will not happen automatically:  you have to save the file into a directory on your computer and then use your word processor to open it.

SAVING THE ESSAYS PROPERLY

The essays are designed with links inside them so that you can jump easily from essay to essay.  For example, every essay ends with a set of links to the main table of contents and to the different chapters and appendices.  These links are mostly for my convenience in editing, but you may find them useful also.  However, the interlinking of the essays will only work if you (i) download all essays into the same subdirectory of your computer and (ii) keep the names as they are when downloaded (i.e., without "extensions" like ".doc" or ".wpd" or ".StevesBook").  Netscape, for example, will attempt to download the file with an extension of ".htm".  I can't find any way to prevent this, but once it is downloaded I just rename the file to its original form (i.e., without the extension).

Even with the false extension, however, my WordPerfect 10 program (and my Word 9 program) will recognize that the file is indeed a WordPerfect file (regardless of its extension) and will read it successfully.  Apparently some word processors do not do that..  If you have troubles with your word processor (and/or web browser), let me know and I'll try to help.  Be sure to include their name & version when you write.


 

TABLE OF COMPLETION LEVELS
 # DEGREE OF COMPLETION AND/OR EASE OF READING
00
Published and reviewed
01
Published
02
Proof copy
03
Final, revised copy ready to submit to publisher
04
Ready to submit to prospective publishers
05
After clarification of the logic through a "paragraph outline" process, but still awaiting polished writing
06
After all arguments have been elaborated;  no sections are missing or truncated;  however, there are some jumps of logic
07
After most arguments have been elaborated, although the logic may not be completely clear and less important (or more obvious) sections may be left quite rough.
08
Although perhaps short and/or sketchy and/or lacking the final edge of logic, it pretty well indicates what I want to say.
09
You have to work to detect the logic underneath the argument, which may be incomplete;  some portions may be mere outlines or even a few portentous sentences.
10
At this level the essay is pretty much in outline form, with perhaps some sections filled in.
11
At this level, the essay is basically random, uncoordinated, incomplete notes, with the logic communicated only via ESP.