"printf("lots of constant info %bd ,%bd, %bd, 5, 6, 7); // pushing it!"

In the small model 15 bytes of data can be passed to printf(). You are passing a pointer and three bytes in this example, which is by no means pushing it.

"They were illustrative in that I was trying to show what I meant by passing printf() too much."

Unfortunately an illustrative example needs to, well, illustrate.

"but I still don't think his tone is productive. It just makes me angry."

I like to get correct information across clearly, concisely and accurately. When I respond to someone who has posted a large quantity of totally erroneous information purporting to be 'advice' I tend to be fairly direct.

"I appologise to Don for my earlier post"

There's absolutely no need. I enjoyed it.