Hmmm... What's the problem with "dude"? I don't get it. Please let me know if I offend someone so next time I will think first before post.
No problem with the word, it's just that I misread your user name and thought that it was Geek-9PM who used the word "dude". In the English speaking world, the word is mainly used by younger Americans, and I know that Geek-9PM is old enough to know better, that's all. In my country (Great Britain) if you go around saying "dude" to people, they will think either that you are a dork, or that you watch too much American TV and films.