What is up with FPN?

[jar]

I didn't imply "secret", but since you are semanticizing, please be so good as to give your definition of "private" in this instance.

Simple colloquial convention; as a way to differentiate between a public message (a post in a thread) and one directed to one or more members of a smaller subset of the total membership.

It certainly does not mean the message is not subject to being read by others or as in this case, parsed by a filter.

The thing to remember is that there is no complete privacy in today's communications network whether phone, internet, email or SMS.

Actually, to me, "private" does mean that the message will not be read by anyone other than the addressee. An automatic "bad words" filter is fine. And I don't worry about the administrator being able to read private messages under extraordinary circumstances. However, I would find it extremely distasteful, overreaching and potentially dangerous, if anyone who was named a moderator could do so on an ongoing basis.

There is a distinction between computerized scanning by internet companies like Google, which like the "bad words" filter is automated and impersonal, and the possibility that actual human beings would be able to snoop on you by reading your private messages.

And the "no privacy in communication" thing is a red herring. We are not talking about governmental action here. It's a fountain pen forum, for goodness sakes. What they can do, technically, should be constrained by decency and necessity. And I hope it is. No matter what, they should clearly disclose just who can read members' private messages. To me, that's unclear right now.

I would be amazed if anyone bothered to read PMs for any reason other than they were addressed to that person.

[whych]

There is a distinction between computerized scanning by internet companies like Google, which like the "bad words" filter is automated and impersonal, and the possibility that actual human beings would be able to snoop on you by reading your private messages.

I should imagine that the filtering on the messages submitted to FPN, whether personal or as forum replies, is also done automatically by the board software. I doubt whether anyone has time to read all the messages posted and censor them immediately.

[KrazyIvan]

I like the way twitter handles the naming convention. Direct Message, DM for short.

[Farmboy]

This post has been read by FPN.

[Titivillus]

This post has been read by FPN.

I often wonder why fpn would even bother reading posts outside of their own site. It doesn't seem to benefit them unless they are trying to crack down on any possible disparaging comments about them, which to me seems like a rather large ovestepping of thier pervue. Then again I was admonished because of some tweets. Making it appear more of a police state. It seems that they can do anything they want wirhin thier own sandbox but when they search out comments outside their site and use them against people it borders on the sort of thing thay dictators do. including the disappearance of people who do not agree with the badly applied rules and forbidding discussion of any of the actions of the people in control.

[kaisnowbird]

I've known some people who admitted to googling their own names every few days, hoping to become more famous/notorious. :deadhorse:

[KrazyIvan]

I've known some people who admitted to googling their own names every few days, hoping to become more famous/notorious. :deadhorse:

How old fashioned. :p They have services that do it for you automagically nowadays.

[Annie]

This post has been read by FPN.

I often wonder why fpn would even bother reading posts outside of their own site. It doesn't seem to benefit them unless they are trying to crack down on any possible disparaging comments about them, which to me seems like a rather large ovestepping of thier pervue. Then again I was admonished because of some tweets. Making it appear more of a police state. It seems that they can do anything they want wirhin thier own sandbox but when they search out comments outside their site and use them against people it borders on the sort of thing thay dictators do. including the disappearance of people who do not agree with the badly applied rules and forbidding discussion of any of the actions of the people in control.

It's a big wide internet - FPN can and do read as they wish, just as you can.
I don't know anything about tweets since I don't do twitter but I would imagine, you can say anthing you like provided you don't libel anyone. As for being a police state or dictatorship, I have no idea except that if you were to really live in either of those, you would have far more to worry about that a pen website.

Having what you say either in a pen forum or in a private message on a pen forum, monitored, read, or anything else is (excuse the pun) taken as read. It's owned and run by a private individual and that individual can do as he pleases. I suppose you can either accept that you will be subject to a golden handcuffs deal which is subject to change without your approval, or you can not go there.

[Ray-VIgo]

Our 20th century sensibilities regarding privacy are colliding with 21st century technology, which makes it so we essentially have no privacy. I am an admin at another board, and yes what you write can be read by anyone with access to the core functions of the forum, namely the "root". These are your core admins, the very top of the top usually, but the board owners can distribute things as they see fit. Assume anything you write in there can be read by anyone with root access, possibly more. Then again, you should now assume that someone in government somewhere can read your emails too. Written words betray, sooner or later. On the internet the only things potentially unreadable by prying eyes are things never written.

The more concerning thread is the one touting only one admin being available. That is to say, there are no others now. An admin that does not communicate or function is not an admin at all, so there is functionally only one now. It's a big board with a lot of work, as anyone would admit, but there is only one admin. It's not about efficiency or good governance. It's about control.

[Farmboy]

I openly use forum posts to relay data back and forth. Usually no one notices.

@toplevel: See you in the funny pages.

[writingrav]

Stick to snail mail.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

[piscov]

And face to face talk!

Enviado do meu GT-I9300 através de Tapatalk

[Sailor Kenshin]

Our 20th century sensibilities regarding privacy are colliding with 21st century technology, which makes it so we essentially have no privacy. I am an admin at another board, and yes what you write can be read by anyone with access to the core functions of the forum, namely the "root". These are your core admins, the very top of the top usually, but the board owners can distribute things as they see fit. Assume anything you write in there can be read by anyone with root access, possibly more. Then again, you should now assume that someone in government somewhere can read your emails too. Written words betray, sooner or later. On the internet the only things potentially unreadable by prying eyes are things never written.

The more concerning thread is the one touting only one admin being available. That is to say, there are no others now. An admin that does not communicate or function is not an admin at all, so there is functionally only one now. It's a big board with a lot of work, as anyone would admit, but there is only one admin. It's not about efficiency or good governance. It's about control.

That thread was puzzling to me, too.

[Frank]

Do what I have been doing the past year or so, do more posting elsewhere!

Ignore the problem, and it will go away.......

[I like mango pudding]

This post has been read by FPN.

I often wonder why fpn would even bother reading posts outside of their own site. It doesn't seem to benefit them unless they are trying to crack down on any possible disparaging comments about them, which to me seems like a rather large ovestepping of thier pervue. Then again I was admonished because of some tweets. Making it appear more of a police state. It seems that they can do anything they want wirhin thier own sandbox but when they search out comments outside their site and use them against people it borders on the sort of thing thay dictators do. including the disappearance of people who do not agree with the badly applied rules and forbidding discussion of any of the actions of the people in control.

This happens all the time. I am on several wrist watch forums and there is a lot of cross pollination of watchers on each forum. Saying disparaging comments about another forum can and does get you banned on that forum being dissed. I've seen it happen many times.

It also serves a useful purpose, that cross pollination. It helps police the communities of fraudsters, scammers and the like. Mods and admins actually to communicate to each other and help the community in that regard.

[Penne Stilografiche]

it's down again.

[piscov]

Only one Admin....

Enviado do meu GT-I9300 através de Tapatalk

[Freddie]

We should request and activate the use of the Cone of Silence...

Twentieth century technology for the twenty first century...

Well {pause}...that just about covers everything...

Ok..go ahead...

Would you believe it?

Fred

[whych]

Only one Admin....

And he's out tonight.

[piscov]

Some nice movies are premiering today. Give the Admin some slack guys... life is not just pens, boards.... some fun is needed ;)

Enviado do meu GT-I9300 através de Tapatalk

[heraclitus682]

FPN down for anyone else?

[Moxoftritonytes]

Yes, it is down.

[reprieve]

FPN down for anyone else?

Yes, I think you crashed it. :)

[heraclitus682]

FPN down for anyone else?

Yes, I think you crashed it. :)

Shhh,,,

[Moxoftritonytes]

Oh, it`s up again.

[Flounder]

Works for me. And there's nothing up with FPN, it's fine. If anything, I'm down with FPN, maaaaaaan. Kudos to Wim for personally dealing with that david1600 problem a few months back.

[Jon Szanto]

Flounder, it had been down at various times last night and this morning (West coast US times, that is). As to how any of this gets handled, we'll see. The fact that the party in question is a mod there (a move that was part of my reason for leaving) adds to the interest.

[Farmboy]

What is a David1600 problem?

For what it is worth, I often get server failed to respond error. I usually chalk it up to a bad Internet connection and go back later. If they really have as much traffic at peak as indicated elsewhere I can understand the bandwidth/server side limitations.

[Penne Stilografiche]

What is a David1600 problem?



Basically, he sold a bunch of pens described as in working condition but they all we in need of restoration (http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/2304-What-Would-You-Do?highlight=david1600). Wing banned him from the FPN after getting wind of this.

[Farmboy]

Does he/she have a real name?

I like to keep track of such. At some point I may once again participate in the selling side though not likely on-line.

Todd

[Farmboy]

I now get:

Service Unavailable.

Technical description:
504 Gateway Time-out - The web server is not responding

Or

Response Error.

Technical description:
502 Bad Gateway - Response Error, a bad response was received from another proxy server or the destination origin server.

[Moxoftritonytes]

FPN is automatically shut down if it gets too much traffic. Courtesy of their provider.

[whych]

They were down at 01:30 GMT with a msg saying they were doing maintenance.

[Tony Rex]

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2825/11524152925_e417f53dfa_b.jpg

But, but, ... :)

Hope they can sort it out quickly...

[bassmannate]

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2825/11524152925_e417f53dfa_b.jpg

But, but, ... :)

Hope they can sort it out quickly...

Yup. Started getting this same screen. Just means something's broken since you're not the only one.

[Manny]

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/1224130640-1_zpshhkqbdoc.jpg

[ethernautrix]

I didn't imply "secret", but since you are semanticizing, please be so good as to give your definition of "private" in this instance.

Simple colloquial convention; as a way to differentiate between a public message (a post in a thread) and one directed to one or more members of a smaller subset of the total membership.

It certainly does not mean the message is not subject to being read by others or as in this case, parsed by a filter.

The thing to remember is that there is no complete privacy in today's communications network whether phone, internet, email or SMS.

Actually, to me, "private" does mean that the message will not be read by anyone other than the addressee. An automatic "bad words" filter is fine. And I don't worry about the administrator being able to read private messages under extraordinary circumstances. However, I would find it extremely distasteful, overreaching and potentially dangerous, if anyone who was named a moderator could do so on an ongoing basis.

There is a distinction between computerized scanning by internet companies like Google, which like the "bad words" filter is automated and impersonal, and the possibility that actual human beings would be able to snoop on you by reading your private messages.

And the "no privacy in communication" thing is a red herring. We are not talking about governmental action here. It's a fountain pen forum, for goodness sakes. What they can do, technically, should be constrained by decency and necessity. And I hope it is. No matter what, they should clearly disclose just who can read members' private messages. To me, that's unclear right now.


That mods were able to read PMs was news to me and a tad distressing as I had had, let's say, a situation with another fpn member who became a mod. I'm not saying said mod read my PMs, but that he was able to made me very uncomfortable. All of that is ancient history now, but since then I'd rather the impersonal auto-bots of Google and hotmail "read" my e-mail than someone I know read my so-called private messages.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Agreed. It's just wrong.

[85AKbN]

This page can't be displayed

•Make sure the web address http://www.fountainpennetwork.com is correct.
•Look for the page with your search engine.
•Refresh the page in a few minutes.

Fix connection problems

[whych]

They had a page up before that said they would be down for a week.
The fact that the nameserver record has gone, means they are using some kind of dodgy entry for their nameserver records.
Soon, it will be a requirement for the nameserver record entry to be registered with the domain name which should stop this kind of message as well as cutting out many of the dodgy sites around.

[pengeezer]

Oho! Now the pieces fall into place. You see, people on FPN are openly scared of even speaking the Isaacson name, for fear of being banned. Now, I agree that any porn-image swapping is dirty pool. But a Stalinesque culture is worse.

And commerce is good! I do it myself. But it is an increasing presence on FPN. If it was just there, like all the other forums, that would be fine. But it is in plain sight, while being trumpeted as being a negative influence. And while there is talk of covering hosting fees, there is never any evidence of the actual numbers. If each member bought just one $5 badge, once, how much money would someone have in a bank account? $200,000? That's not small change, for a very small transaction. If that is how much it takes to run the board, fine. But until I see the numbers, I reserve both judgement and the right to be cynical.

My Junius quote has been there since I created my account, and is something I honestly love. I didn't just trot it out for this occasion. Life is too short to live it in fear of bullies. Or to waste it on negative relationships. When I read JBB's post, my heart went out to her, because she didn't deserve what she has gotten.

My post is mostly just observations and logic. I don't like heavy-handed moderation tactics, and I say that as someone who has moderated forums for years, and dealt with my fair share of loonies in doing so. If people are scared, they won't stay. And if they smell something fishy, they won't stay. And if the site is down because of a mod war they won't stay. And if they are flashed by porn they won't stay (I was yesterday, at about 4 pm. And It was a link from within the temporary place-holder page, which calls into question the whole DNS-server thing, because that is a top-level re-direction. But I digress.)

Shawn, I know that you have invested a lot in FPN over the years, and I have always appreciated your postings and enthusiastic input. And I was glad to see you made a moderator because of your positive personality. I do hope that FPN can get itself together and be a happy place again. But you have to be realistic.

PS David I., you are a very bad boy!

I need to jump in here to clarify something even though I'm late to a party
that's been over for some time. I'm not one of those that was afraid to mention David I's name--I just didn't
find mentioning anything about him significant or important. I find him inwardly little and as controlling as the
one running FPN.

Guess that'll keep me off FPB......not that I planned to join anyway.


John

[HughC]

Having posted on PFN, FPB and here the level of moderation on Geeks and FPB is far less than FPN. David has an amazing depth of knowledge that deserves respect ,whether you like him at a personal level or not, and a willingly to shares that which I think an admirable trait. Really I don't think your opinions of him would keep you off FPB, that's your personal choice.

Regards
Hugh

[pengeezer]

For me the irony of 'no religious' references, is it becomes almost a religion or 'crusade' in it self, eliminating all references to religion. Faith is a part of the human condition, faith in a greater being or faith in a lack thereof. Humans do and have done horrible things to each other, and it will likely continue.

I may get in trouble for this, I also find it hypocritical, when they dash some references and allow others. I find the same with political subjects, allowing some and not others. I understand they are polarizing subjects, and can cause heated debates, but letting one slide and another pass when the rules clearly state 'NO' is just not cool.

If one doesn't have faith in God,then one has only faith in themselves.


John

[david i]

Oho! Now the pieces fall into place. You see, people on FPN are openly scared of even speaking the Isaacson name, for fear of being banned. Now, I agree that any porn-image swapping is dirty pool.

Tactic 3 from the LDM: Straw Man.

Clarification for those ignorant of the implication attempted.

Whether or not porn swapping is dirty pool (one can weigh pros and cons), since that has not happened with FPN, it is an attempt at diversion to address it as if it does matter. Thus, Tactic 3.

As to the postulated fear-- vs, say, entertaining tribute-- in the notion of "fear of speaking the name of the Dark Lord".... I truly am honored :)

Regards,

David

[david i]

PS David I., you are a very bad boy!

I am honored to have influenced your life. ;)

regards

david

[david i]

I need to jump in here to clarify something even though I'm late to a party
that's been over for some time. I'm not one of those that was afraid to mention David I's name--I just didn't
find mentioning anything about him significant or important. I find him inwardly little and as controlling as the
one running FPN.

Guess that'll keep me off FPB......not that I planned to join anyway.



Tactic 33 from the LDM: "Pull the Passive Agressive thing".

Excellent.

regards

david

[david i]

[FONT=Century Gothic][SIZE=2]I need to jump in here to clarify something even though I'm late to a party
that's been over for some time. I'm not one of those that was afraid to mention David I's name--I just didn't
find mentioning anything about him significant or important. I find him inwardly little and as controlling as the
one running FPN.

Guess that'll keep me off FPB......not that I planned to join anyway.


John

OK. Let's see:



I'm not one of those that was afraid to mention David I's name

Is anyone, really? It's not good to be too concrete, son.


I just didn't find mentioning anything about him significant or important.

That you appear nonetheless to have wrestled with it...


I find him inwardly little

Tactic 1 from the Losing Debater's Manual: Ad Hominem Insult

Tactic 5 from the Losing Debater's Manual: The Telepath


and as controlling as the one running FPN.

Tactic 7 (iirc) from the LDM: Unsupportable Assertion.

Too, that borders again on Tactic 1, Ad Hominem Insult.

Given how this thread has outlined "controlling" behavior from those who run FPN, all appearances would suggest that Isaacson engages in none of that at FPB, and that FPB (as with FPG) is a much different place to play. No thread has been invisibled (save for 1, accidentally deleted during an editing attempt, with public apologies given by the Board), and no thread ever has been closed. No one has ever been suspended or banned for saying anything about Isaacson or the Board, either on the FPB site or elsewhere, again unlike the behavior of those who run FPN regarding those who comment either there or even elsewhere about it or its managers. Again, unlike FPN, FPB has no language filters.

Your turn...

regards

david

[pengeezer]

Having posted on PFN, FPB and here the level of moderation on Geeks and FPB is far less than FPN. David has an amazing depth of knowledge that deserves respect ,whether you like him at a personal level or not, and a willingly to shares that which I think an admirable trait. Really I don't think your opinions of him would keep you off FPB, that's your personal choice.

Regards
Hugh

In a PM to another member,I made a point of noting
that David's wisdom of vintage pens is admirable--his juvenile use of
debate tactics to come out on top isn't.


John

[david i]

Having posted on PFN, FPB and here the level of moderation on Geeks and FPB is far less than FPN. David has an amazing depth of knowledge that deserves respect ,whether you like him at a personal level or not, and a willingly to shares that which I think an admirable trait. Really I don't think your opinions of him would keep you off FPB, that's your personal choice.

Regards
Hugh

In a PM to another member,I made a point of noting
that David's wisdom of vintage pens is admirable--his juvenile use of
debate tactics to come out on top isn't.


John

Tactic 1 from the LDM: "When you have lost on points of substance, attempt to divert with personal Ad Hominem insult".

There are two examples in John's quote, although the second cross-plays with Tactic 5, the Telepath: "When you have lost a discussion on points of substance, profess insight into your opponents thoughts, psyche, character and... go figure... find them to be... bad"

Notice too, John's lack of attempt to refute any issues i cited in my prior response regarding differences between FPB and FPN. The silence is deafening.... and telling. When you see people use Tactics from the LDM, when you see them then complain that they are being called out for using such tactics, and when you don't see them offer issues-oriented positions...

Regards

David

[Ray-VIgo]

There also was the "Drunken Lord" of usenet fame (alt.collecting.pens-pencils) who used to really go to town in his posts. Some of the posts were pretty funny in the raw, attacking sort of way. There was a time when mentioning "Drunken Lord" would raise eyebrows over at FPN.

[david i]

There also was the "Drunken Lord" of usenet fame (alt.collecting.pens-pencils) who used to really go to town in his posts. Some of the posts were pretty funny in the raw, attacking sort of way. There was a time when mentioning "Drunken Lord" would raise eyebrows over at FPN.

It's nice to know there are still some of us who recall alt.collecting.pens-pencils :)

regards

david

[Fawkes]

I'm assuming the dude became drunk with power and over-monitored the boards?

[George]

The Drunken Lord was the funniest thing to happen to pens and the internet.

EDIT: Here is a classic archived thread on alt collecting pens with some classic The Drunken Lord in it.

http://alt.collecting.pens-pencils.narkive.com/L7qrXvXx/venting

[deirdre]

It's nice to know there are still some of us who recall alt.collecting.pens-pencils :)

Every time I think about it, I remember the discussions with Frank Dubiel.

[david i]

It's nice to know there are still some of us who recall alt.collecting.pens-pencils :)

Every time I think about it, I remember the discussions with Frank Dubiel.

I still very much miss him. Good times. He'd have fun with current style pen boards I suspect.

regards

david

[Tony Rex]

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/257941-nakaya-or-howto-waste-time-money/page-4#entry2861763

Congratulations to the winners.. You've just won the "Less moderated scummy sites" award :clap2:

Congrats, scumbags! :cheers:

PS: Don't hold it against him. I just found his comment amusing, that's all. I love this place, but that doesn't mean that I go on hating other joints. :rolleyes:

[Farmboy]

So if I follow what seems to have happened in apparently deleted posts is several participants resorted to name calling and got the post off track resulting in a closed but edited thread.

Seems to me this says more about the posters than it does the board, this board, or any moderators here or there.

[kaisnowbird]

I agree and won't get my feathers ruffled just because someone calls this site scummy. :rain:
The post (#100 on that thread) in question does not appear to have been deleted or edited, by the way.

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

I move easily between both sites. It's too bad when someone has to use this kind of language or indeed any kind of extreme emotion. They're forums. I don't find these kinds of people really represent either forum. What they do represent is the attitude of a single poster.

It's wonderful that there are two healthy forums to discuss a writing instrument that has largely fallen into disuse.

[Ray-VIgo]

If it isn't at least a little scummy, you're not on the internet...

[Chemyst]

Did the official blessing of Montblanc ever yield any dividends to the members?

I haven’t noticed any myself, but I am hardly the expert on all things Montblanc.

Wim spent all that energy a few years back banning folks for posting pictures of upcoming MB releases, seemingly confusing “high street embargo” with The Official Secrets Act. The justification for the purges was always that we’d get a nice little something from Montblanc if we comported ourselves like an authorised retailer.

Myself, I was hoping that their blessing might translate into a striated MB146 as the next official FPN pen, but that doesn’t seem to have happened...

[Chrissy]

Did the official blessing of Montblanc ever yield any dividends to the members?

I haven’t noticed any myself, but I am hardly the expert on all things Montblanc.

Wim spent all that energy a few years back banning folks for posting pictures of upcoming MB releases, seemingly confusing “high street embargo” with The Official Secrets Act. The justification for the purges was always that we’d get a nice little something from Montblanc if we comported ourselves like an authorised retailer.

Myself, I was hoping that their blessing might translate into a striated MB146 as the next official FPN pen, but that doesn’t seem to have happened...
Wim got himself a trip to the Montblanc Hamburg factory, and some goodies out of it. Knowing a little about him, maybe that was always the plan? :pound:

[kazoolaw]

Always surprising to me that folks just can't stop picking at FPN. It does nothing to enhance FPG or its members.

[SIR]

seemingly confusing “high street embargo” with The Official Secrets Act.

Typical playground bullshit one routinely encounters in the so-called 'real world' post graduation as an adult...


Always surprising to me that folks just can't stop picking at FPN. It does nothing to enhance FPG or its members.

FPN is great for shopping in the classifieds, other than that... best avoided.

[kazoolaw]

Typical playground bullshit one routinely encounters in the so-called 'real world' post graduation as an adult...



FPN is great for shopping in the classifieds, other than that... best avoided.


Right on cue...

[Farmboy]

Typical playground bullshit one routinely encounters in the so-called 'real world' post graduation as an adult...



FPN is great for shopping in the classifieds, other than that... best avoided.


Right on cue...

Even I am lost on this string.

[Frank]

The ironic thing is.. I have done the exact opposite of what a pen retailer should do-
I do very little posting/surfing over at FPN..

I spent more time there when I was just "Frankiex"..
I was Frank on most forums, and my college nickname there..

I sold in the "For Sale" section back when it was friendly, and accessible.
In fact- the greed and fees there (and the bay) convinced me to become a retailer!

Lucky for you guys- most of my forum posting is done here! ;)

Frank

[SIR]

Typical playground bullshit one routinely encounters in the so-called 'real world' post graduation as an adult...



FPN is great for shopping in the classifieds, other than that... best avoided.


Right on cue...

Can't imagine why...

https://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/7896-Banned-From-FPN

[Chemyst]

Happened to be browsing this evening while not logged in and noticed the cheery new banner. Sounds like a lot of work. Maybe just telling us the whitelisted domains would be easier and save both new registrants and the FPN internal security organs some time.

[Chrissy]

I thought that had been around for a while. It's a shame he can't spell "disposable." :(

Didn't he try an automated system that effectively meant that no-one was ever approved to join, and weeks passed between the last new member and the next one?

[Chemyst]

It's a shame he can't spell "disposable." :(


Careful.

Any more talk like that and you’ll be assigned a score below five on the arbitrary tool scale.

Only unmutual members get five or below.

[ilikenails]

Wim spent all that energy a few years back banning folks for posting pictures of upcoming MB releases, seemingly confusing “high street embargo” with The Official Secrets Act.

It's strange to hear an American(?) using that term. Is the Act really that notorious???

[SIR]

Happened to be browsing this evening while not logged in and noticed the cheery new banner. Sounds like a lot of work. Maybe just telling us the whitelisted domains would be easier and save both new registrants and the FPN internal security organs some time.

WOW!! Any wagers how long before they change to a wholly subscription based membership?!

[Pterodactylus]

This is so ridiculous, I wonder why some still bother about that crappy site.

Instead put your energy into FPGeeks and make it better by filling it with a lot of content and life. :)

[junglejim]

This is so ridiculous, I wonder why some still bother about that crappy site.

I think it has to do with the sheer volume of data compiled in one place over the span of years. FPN is sort of like the "Memory Alpha" of Star Trek. For example, I recently needed some information on J. Herbin Perle Noire for an ink mixing experiment. Thanks to our wonderful Chrissy setting up an easy to use ink index (THANKS Chrissy!), one finds there are no ink reviews of Perle Noire here at fpgeeks. Jumping over to FPN, there are 5 reviews, 4 of which still have their intact photos. The data there saved me from buying a bottle of ink that I didn't need. And as soon as someone has another great sale on ink samples, I'll be out on a buying spree of 20+ samples, thanks to some prescreening here at fpgeeks and that "other" place. And I'm not restricted to just these 2 websites for ink or pen information; there are FPN-Phillipines, Laura's Fountain Pen Follies, Hand-Over-That-Pen, Leigh Reyes, and any other site my search engine (NOT Google) can dig-up.

I do thank Pterodactylus for his contributions here at fpgeeks, especially his sketches and quotes of the day with different inks. That gives us (me?) a much better idea of what a particular ink can do and how it behaves in different nibs.

All the Best.

[ilikenails]

This is so ridiculous, I wonder why some still bother about that crappy site.

Sandy1's ink reviews.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Sandy1's ink reviews.

One of the reasons not to go there quite frankly. Unless you want an ink review to turn you off an ink. Dreadfully overanalysed.

However, if you must look at reviews over there I can heartily recommend the reviewer called Crahptacular. :)

[christof]

Of course I understand that everyone has their favorite forum but I don't understand what's the meaning of talking badly about one forum at another one.
I am member of FPN, fountainpenboard.com, penexchange.de, stylo-plume.org and fountainpengeeks of course. For me each forum has its own merits.

(Unfortunately, I don't feel a greater interest for vintage fountain pens and history of FP in general in none of them at the moment, but times will changes again....)

Wish you all the best for 2019!
C.

[Pterodactylus]

Of course I understand that everyone has their favorite forum but I don't understand what's the meaning of talking badly about one forum at another one.
I am member of FPN, fountainpenboard.com, penexchange.de, stylo-plume.org and fountainpengeeks of course. For me each forum has its own merits.

(Unfortunately, I don't feel a greater interest for vintage fountain pens and history of FP in general in none of them at the moment, but times will changes again....)

Wish you all the best for 2019!
C.

Itˋs not the forum and the members of the forum, in this case itˋs all about the admin/moderators/censors.
You might not remember, but I was a really active member there in the past and enjoyed it quite a time.

I also follow the threads on Penexchange (and recognize some of the people which posts here and there), I like that forum but Iˋm only a reader there as I never created an account.

Euch allen ein gutes neues Jahr :)

[christof]

Itˋs not the forum and the members of the forum, in this case itˋs all about the admin/moderators/censors.
You might not remember, but I was a really active member there in the past and enjoyed it quite a time.

Euch allen ein gutes neues Jahr :)

Danke!

In fact, I never made bad experiences with the admins or moderators on FPN...

(...although I have to admit, that I am not that happy how the subforum of the classifieds have developped. It's been a long time since I have bought something interesting there.).

Well, I guess we are all just guests....and as already said, times will change again hopefully.

C.

[ilikenails]

Sandy1's ink reviews.

One of the reasons not to go there quite frankly. Unless you want an ink review to turn you off an ink. Dreadfully overanalysed.

That's possibly true if you buy pens and inks as toys. But if you want to get real work done, knowing water resistance and feathering for the type of papers you will use is an enormous benefit. If you're looking for an excuse to spend hours of your life playing with sample vials of every teal on the market, then otherwise, yes.

[Chrissy]

Sandy1's ink reviews.

One of the reasons not to go there quite frankly. Unless you want an ink review to turn you off an ink. Dreadfully overanalysed.

That's possibly true if you buy pens and inks as toys. But if you want to get real work done, knowing water resistance and feathering for the type of papers you will use is an enormous benefit. If you're looking for an excuse to spend hours of your life playing with sample vials of every teal on the market, then otherwise, yes.
There is quite a difference between knowing water resistance and feathering for a particular ink on the type of papers you use, and those very long-winded and rambling reviews, covering lot's of aspects that hardly anyone ever needs or reads all of. In fact, admittedly, I plagiarised some useful bullet points of Sandy's reviews for my own ink reviews, but I can't really understand half of the stuff that's in there. I also plagiarised parts of namrehsnoom's ink reviews, that I think are excellent. Each to their own though. :)

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Sandy1's ink reviews.

One of the reasons not to go there quite frankly. Unless you want an ink review to turn you off an ink. Dreadfully overanalysed.

That's possibly true if you buy pens and inks as toys. But if you want to get real work done, knowing water resistance and feathering for the type of papers you will use is an enormous benefit. If you're looking for an excuse to spend hours of your life playing with sample vials of every teal on the market, then otherwise, yes.

Nonsense. It takes literally minutes to test inks on the paper that I use. If the ink isn't suitable for any of my paper types it gets moved on or flushed. It's not rocket science and it really does not need pages and pages of analysis.

BTW, I take exception to the "toys" remark. I use my pens for "real work". They are not toys, and neither are they magical devices. They are simply tools.

[Morgaine]

I don't think anyone has done a review of ink on the jolly letter writing papers I use.

[SIR]

... saved me from buying a bottle of ink that I didn't need.

YOU NEED PERLE NOIRE!!

[FredRydr]

... saved me from buying a bottle of ink that I didn't need.

YOU NEED PERLE NOIRE!!

JJ: Don't buy it. There's a vial of it in the mail that was supposed to be a surprise.

[junglejim]

Well thank-you very much, Fred. You're a scholar and a gentleman!

All the Best.