[pacerier]

does using ほど makes なら sounds more famous then if i use より?
in other words if it is this case:
1. AさんはBさんよりへたですじょうずではありません
2. AさんはBさんほどへたですじょうずではありません
which should i use to "soften the blow" and not make A-san sounds too "lousy"



also regarding ほど is it true that the right side must be a negated expression so i can say ほどじょうずではありません but not ほどへたです right?