I have to say RHD makes a good point that agruing is not solving anything. Ill try to play nice aswell.
CDBEAM, sorry about the brick comment I was just pissed off that I spent all the time going through your posts then you just glossed over mine with no regard. Its an open forum you can type however you want.
Mac, we have a fundamental difference of opinion here but you offering to pay for the diode is a very generous thing. You have definitely earned my respect there, although I still think berating ARG, mocking his integrity, and demanding payment for something that is hardly, if at all, his fault is wrong. That is why I said you guys were acting like c*nts, not because you were "Standing up to a challenge" as you put it. As far as Andy goes, he is the one most at fault here and it would be a good gesture for him to provide a new diode, but I don't believe he should be required to do so. What If he can't spare the money? Would you prefer he buy a new diode just to be given away randomly for a drawing that was not even the point of the thread (or guaranteed in it) than be able to buy his kids birthday presents, or even put food on the table? That may not be a reality for you, but it certainly is for a lot of people in this world. I guess this all just brings us back to the difference of opinion though.
My basis for saying that ARG is one of the greatest guys in this forum is the amount of his time and effort he puts into it expecting no gain. I think essentially everyone in this thread but you would agree there. He has provided more open source projects, writeups, information, progress, affordability than almost anyone else here. This thread is a prime example. He offered his time, expertise, equipment to gather data on a new diode without getting anything in return.
Also, one thing everybody keeps mentioning is that ARG sent the diode without telling anyone. That is flat out WRONG. Look at bloompyles post here:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f55/gb-1w-520nm-diode-information-giveaway-86766-31.html#post1312487
About the tags, Ill admit I put one a while back but wont say which haha :shhh: