WHERE IS ERIC?

[snedwos]

If the place is not important to you ("its just an internet chat forum"; "shrug"), and you don't like the people here ("gossip mongers"), and you don't want the future of the forum discussed ("none of our business"), why are you here on this thread? Why do you get to tell committed members what they can discuss? Why criticize and demean people who are expressing their feelings about a place that is important to them?

If this attitude is going to be the tenor of the new FPG forum, I predict people will not be happy here. So there's no need to worry about "how to structure the site," because it will be just a few disinterested folks showing up every once in a while.

Eric has asked for ideas -- on the website -- and he seems to be reading people's posts. He isn't telling people to shut up. My advice, if he reads this, would be the opposite of yours. I'd advise him to listen to the people with the most attachment to the site, who have contributed the most, who have a real stake in this place. The people who care about the forum, who were upset by losing it, who've been here a while and post a lot -- that's the community. They are the people to listen to. They make the forum.

JMHO.

I guess I have as much right as the folks who have been swearing and calling Eric names. One poster even went so far as to try to publicly "shame" people (an effort doomed to failure, because it only shows the misplaced anger of the poster).

You are all entitled to your feelings and opinions. I am simply disagreeing with them (I assume there is no requirement of conformity here). This thread had a good bit of anger and scuttlebutt before I posted.

I am NOT trying to tell anyone what they "can" or "cannot" write. That would be a foolish endeavor.

As much right as folks who have been swearing and calling Eric names means no right. Those people were wrong too. Also, you weren't simply disagreeing with feelings, you were dismissing them. It's not the same. Saying "Come on, it's just a pen forum" suggests that you think it's silly to care about something unless you care about it. I strongly suspect that there are things that matter to you that I wouldn't give a rat's arse about, but I wouldn't dream of putting you down for it.

You weren't telling people what they can or can't write, but you were judging what people should or shouldn't feel. Which might not be foolish but certainly comes off as a bit rude.

All that now off my chest, I also believe everything you said was in good faith, and I think "blow it out your ass" is an overly hostile reaction.

[Jon Szanto]

I also believe everything you said was in good faith, and I think "blow it out your ass" is an overly hostile reaction.

But I said it in such a light-hearted manner!

[ethernautrix]

I also believe everything you said was in good faith, and I think "blow it out your ass" is an overly hostile reaction.

But I said it in such a light-hearted manner!

I see where the interpretation went sideways. Next time, try saying it like this: "Blow it out your ass, wheeee!"

[snedwos]

Or use Comic Sans and a happy colour!

[Jon Szanto]

[ethernautrix]

Until Fred can step in with some help, this will have to do.

blow it out your ass.jpg

[TSherbs]

If the place is not important to you ("its just an internet chat forum"; "shrug"), and you don't like the people here ("gossip mongers"), and you don't want the future of the forum discussed ("none of our business"), why are you here on this thread? Why do you get to tell committed members what they can discuss? Why criticize and demean people who are expressing their feelings about a place that is important to them?

If this attitude is going to be the tenor of the new FPG forum, I predict people will not be happy here. So there's no need to worry about "how to structure the site," because it will be just a few disinterested folks showing up every once in a while.

Eric has asked for ideas -- on the website -- and he seems to be reading people's posts. He isn't telling people to shut up. My advice, if he reads this, would be the opposite of yours. I'd advise him to listen to the people with the most attachment to the site, who have contributed the most, who have a real stake in this place. The people who care about the forum, who were upset by losing it, who've been here a while and post a lot -- that's the community. They are the people to listen to. They make the forum.

JMHO.

I guess I have as much right as the folks who have been swearing and calling Eric names. One poster even went so far as to try to publicly "shame" people (an effort doomed to failure, because it only shows the misplaced anger of the poster).

You are all entitled to your feelings and opinions. I am simply disagreeing with them (I assume there is no requirement of conformity here). This thread had a good bit of anger and scuttlebutt before I posted.

I am NOT trying to tell anyone what they "can" or "cannot" write. That would be a foolish endeavor.

As much right as folks who have been swearing and calling Eric names means no right. Those people were wrong too. Also, you weren't simply disagreeing with feelings, you were dismissing them. It's not the same. Saying "Come on, it's just a pen forum" suggests that you think it's silly to care about something unless you care about it. I strongly suspect that there are things that matter to you that I wouldn't give a rat's arse about, but I wouldn't dream of putting you down for it.

You weren't telling people what they can or can't write, but you were judging what people should or shouldn't feel. Which might not be foolish but certainly comes off as a bit rude.

All that now off my chest, I also believe everything you said was in good faith, and I think "blow it out your ass" is an overly hostile reaction.

I suggested moving the speculation and rumor and vulgarity to pm's. It seems to me that the private ownership and corporate issues are none of our business, and that it is inappropriate for us to speculate on them openly.

[Ste_S]