[MilCom] airport codes

[Mac McCormick III]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Jones" <wejones at megalink.net>
> Secondly though, it is so easy for anyone to use any of the web pages or 
> data
> files mentioned, that I don't understand why the poster should have to go 
> to
> the trouble of interpreting things for people.

    Please don't take this personally, as it is not intended as a
    personal attack.  I myself have been guilty of posting just
    an ICAO code in the past (and have decided to do my best
    to remember to put an airport name in posts as opposed to
    the code).  This approach to posting is, in my opinion, lazy
    and selfish (and I know lazy because I am a self proclaimed
    lazy person!)  My explanation of this position:

    The poster was the one who actually heard the communication,
    therefore the poster SHOULD be the one who is doing the
    "interpretation", as you put it.  Whether it be an ICAO code or
    something else, as the poster, YOU (the poster) are the one who
    heard the context in which something was used, therefore, you
    should be the one to do the interpretation.  Is it all that difficult
    to take the extra bit of time to benefit the reader?  The writer of
    any document should be consdering the reader of the document
    not himself when composing the document.

    Additionally, while raw data may be of perfectly good use to
    the experienced monitor, it won't be to a beginning monitor or
    perhaps the occasional or casual monitor.  Some explanation
    or intepretation would certainly help them; I know it did when
    I was beginning.

> uses a code, then I don't see a problem with someone posting the code. 
> You're
> more likely to make a mistake if you start interpreting things you hear. 
> I'd
> rather see people get things onto the list as simply, quickly, and 
> accurately
> as possible, in whatever format the poster is comfortable with. It should 
> be
> up to the reader to deal with the codes.

    Posting the ICAO code rather than the name of the facility makes
    no difference in speed.  The speed in you posting simply the ICAO
    code is negated by the time the reader uses in looking it up.  Likewise
    the time the reader saves in you looking up the ICAO code is
    balanced out by the time it takes you to look up the ICAO code.
    Simply put, the time issue is a moot point.

    A good writer will make his post easier for the reader to use, not
    easy for him to write.  Most readers will recognize a facility name
    a lot quicker than they will an ICAO code, therefore writing the
    facility name in the post rather than the ICAO code is easier for
    the reader.  This recent exchange has actually made me consider
    how I write posts and I may make some changes in the future.
    I think we could all do well to remember the reader rather than
    ourselves when we compose our posts.

Mac
Savannah, GA