Maybe it's just me, but as a general rule I think people should treat one another on-line the same way they would in person. Being known only by a handle doesn't really provide anyone a license to behave however they want, to say whatever they want -- trust me, folks will think you a butt head on-line just the same as the folks who know you in real life. They may not tell you so in real life, whether through politeness or not caring, but people are neither stupid nor that easily fooled.
At any rate the world is filled with people wishing, trying to be helpful. Sometimes they are -- sometimes not. And they may be right or wrong, just like every one of us can be right or wrong on most any topic. I for one am thankful for anyone trying to help -- grateful for them taking the time to try -- mentally trying to move their karma up a notch, whilst wishing to send the karma of some others who are overfast to judge into the sub-basement. :)
What brought this on? Certainly no one in the forum, but a hope that Ashraf might come across this.
In my life I've never come across a purely altruistic human being -- I don't think our psychology would allow such a thing. We may enjoy trying to help, or hope to convince some others to follow our path by our actions, e.g. persons of great faith, or maybe we're just trying to boost our own karma or whatever, there's some reward that we get out of trying to help or we would not. On the download page Ashraf got slammed because someone(s) questioned his motives. I ask: Why would his motives ever matter?
Speaking in perhaps crass terms, if someone offers you a free sandwich, do you wonder why or do you eat lunch? Do you run away in fear, not knowing their motives, or perhaps you check it out, making sure it's not spoiled -- nowadays both would be understandable -- everyone could relate. What's beyond me is why someone would attack the person offering the sandwich, or better yet, allow me to modify that -- it's beyond me why anyone psychologically healthy would attack. What rewards could they possibly receive? I can't think of one. I can think of several reasons, or rewards if you will, if their psych is not well & good. Sadly there are far too many such people, & the same twisted internal reward system that makes them feel good attacking compels them to be verbal, to express their opinions as frequently as they can.
My gut reaction is to want to physically slap them, which sounds bad, but every time I've ignored such people & behavior in real life, things worked out VERY badly. I can't say how anyone else should deal with these sorts of attacks -- it's not that I won't, but that I simply don't know.
If Ashraf does ever come across this, I may have a different opinion from time to time, but totally respect everything he's said & done, and appreciate it greatly. I wish I had money to spend & I would support his biz more if I did -- I've only been able to make one small purchase, but I'm glad I did. Of course I don't kid myself that that little purchase made any difference to anyone but me, but it did make me feel good to offer even that smallest token of support. Why? He's trying to accomplish something worthwhile. He's built himself & his capabilities up over time, tried to help others when & as he could, and has generally done something to make the world a better place for all of us.
The people attacking Ashraf, what have they done for the world? We don't have enough hate lately? There isn't enough suffering? What do they want?
