| Author | Message | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6221 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi! If I haven't said so recently, this is a great community and I want to thank all of you for making it so. Please indulge me and take a minute to reread the Posting Guidelines. It will only take a minute or so, and it won't hurt too much. Plus, I think there's free pie and hot chocolate when you are all done. I make mistakes. Lots of them. We all do. This moderating stuff isn't entirely straightforward; sometimes it's difficult discerning the most appropriate course. I get email. Club members point out things that they think I should be aware of, and sometimes they ask me to take action. I encourage people to email me in such cases; and I am grateful that members care enough about our community to do so. But I do make mistakes. And I do know that not everyone is always going to agree with my attempts at moderating. But as clumsy as they may at times appear, they are well intentioned. I like all of you, and I want to do what I can to make this club a place that all of you find comfortable and enjoyable. A month and a half ago, I edited a post that, within the context of the thread it was posted to, I and others thought was entirely inappropriate. The member was upset with my editing. That outcome was, to me, unfortunate because I consider him to be a valued member of our community. It was not my intention to anger him or to hurt him in any way. I probably could have tried to address the problem with his post in some other fashion that might have resulted in a better outcome. I don't know. I like all of you and have no desire to anger or hurt any of you. In that particular case, I failed. It isn't easy to discern the best course; we make mistakes. (And no, I'm not going to tell you which thread it was; that's not the point here.) This moderating is tricky stuff. I read all the posts. (Ok, I skim the motorcycle threads, but even then I at least glance at the posts.) One thing that I see seemingly every day is new members. Mica and I believe that new members should be made to feel welcome. And indeed, depending on context, depending on the particular thread, our members here do indeed make new posters feel welcome. However, sometimes new posters may be, inadvertently, ignored. It's rare but it happens. For instance someone may post a question on a subject that most of us may have little knowledge of, and we skip over the thread and hope someone else will post a response. It happens, I do it. The question will be about something I know nothing about, and I'm in one of those modes where I'm trying to get through all the posts so I can turn the computer off and go to bed, and I skip over the thread hoping someone else will post an answer to the question. And indeed, there are a lot of people here who seem to go out of their way to respond to and welcome new members; and I just want to let you know that I greatly appreciate it. Many of us have been here a good while now, and we've come to know each other to some degree. And we know that others have come to know us, have come to know how we post. We can be brief and to the point because we know that others can fill in the lines. But new members will not be able to fill in the lines. [note: I have no idea what "fill in the lines" means; I think I made that up] Thus it seems important that when responding to a post that we glance at the member's "post number" shown directly under the username. If that number is "1" or some similarly small number, it seems reasonable and desireable that care should be taken when responding to the post, and that the member should be welcomed. Again, I make mistakes. I tend to make lots of short and to the point posts when responding to questions. Often I know (or perhaps "guess" might be a better word) that the member I'm responding to has come to know me over time, and I just post a quick and direct answer and move on. However, it would be my guess that sometimes my posts are a little too direct and quick, and I imagine that includes posts I've made answering questions from new members. Again, I see posts from new members all the time, and I've noticed how we respond to new members in different contexts; and it did seem to me that addressing this topic might be a good idea. I hope you agree. So, the request here is that when responding to posts made my new members, that we take a little extra time and give some consideration to the fact that they are new here. New members should be made to feel welcome; that's how we would wish to be treated if we were venturing in to a community for the first time. A quick note on a related topic. This is a private forum. You have to be a member to post here. I think most people would agree that when you are in your own home or workplace that there is some expectation that, no matter how strongly you may believe in free speech, that guests can't just do or say anything they want; that there is some expectation of civility or decorum. For instance, you invite me to a party at your house; several of your friends and family members are there; there's a general feeling of warmth and comradery; and I suddenly start talking about how silly your religious beliefs are. In my view, that's not what free speech is about. So, in my view, this is a private forum, and, in my view, you can't just say or do anything you want here. I believe there is some expectation of civility and respect. This is our community. One last note. The above random thoughts are mine and do not necessarily reflect the views or expectations of Alembic. While I try to act in my role as moderator in a manner that I think would represent the views and expectations of Alembic, it is entirely possible that I will at times be incorrect in my assumptions. So anything that I have written here or elsewhere on the site in my role as moderator is subject to correction or clarification by Alembic. I'm just trying to help out as best I can. I hope you liked the pie and hot chocolate! And if for some reason, perhaps in your haste to discover what out of left field thing that davehouck guy was going to say this time, if perchance you did not stop and read the Posting Guidelines when suggested at the top of this post, you can fortunately do so now by clicking on this link here! Thanks, David | ||
| spose
Intermediate Member Username: spose Post Number: 186 Registered: 5-2002 |
keep up the good works David! I don't post much, but I've been here since the yahoo days. I never second guess the mods!  | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6224 Registered: 5-2002 |
I remember the yahoo group. At the time I was running a current events type of group on yahoo. The first thing I did when I found the Alembic group was look at every one of the pictures! I even found a picture of one of my basses posted there; I had just recently purchased it used from an Ebay listing. I remember thinking how cool it was that Mica was posting there. It wasn't long after I stumbled across that group that Mica opened this place up. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1333 Registered: 10-2003 |
(note to self - put word "motorcycle" in all thread titles that discuss politics and/or religion) ;) This is a great place, Dave, and you do a great job moderating! John | ||
| glocke
Advanced Member Username: glocke Post Number: 326 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hi Dave Thanks for the time and effort you put in for this board. Greg | ||
| 57basstra
Senior Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 717 Registered: 4-2005 |
I appreciate your work, Dave. I value your insight and decorum. (I would tell you that you need to run for political office; but you are too kind for that. The dogs would eat you alive.) There are very few days go by that I don't visit for a while and read many of the posts. I do not, however, serve myself up as a regular poster here anymore. Keep up the superb work, Dave! Alembics are the best! (Message edited by 57basstra on February 17, 2008) | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 411 Registered: 8-2005 |
Dave You are the BEST!! I'm sure every regular on the Forum will appreciate your efforts We all love you Buddy G | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 305 Registered: 11-2007 |
Dave, It is a comfort to have your prescence here at the club. Thankyou for the great, and sometimes unappreciated , role that you contribute for us all! And, once more, a big thankyou for making me feel so welcome when I myself joined the club - it makes a difference to experience a warm welcome! John. | ||
| richardloz
Junior Username: richardloz Post Number: 29 Registered: 1-2008 |
Dave Well said in your post. Moderating is definitely not an easy job. Like anything when it comes to human nature you will find that in most cases all is good, but in some cases you are going to upset someone. That cant be helped. The written word cannot really express emotion as the spoken word, and 5 people reading the same thing will interpret it in 5 different ways, thats for sure. I was made to feel very welcome by all who posted on my couple of threads just a couple of short months ago. This is a great place full of excellent information that would be hard to find anywhere else. Your efforts are definitely appreciated. Cheers Richard | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 703 Registered: 3-2004 |
Advice, humor, humility, encouragement, support and enthusiasm. Hallmarks to be sure. Attacks, biting criticism, aggressive retorts and mockery should be avoided. Just as some of the beauty of music is knowing when not to play, sometimes its much better not to post. A little Eastern approach now and then can be a good thing. Perhaps someone could write "The Dao of Alembic" or "Zen and the art of bass maintenance" and include a section "On posting"? Keep on truckin' Dave! Deep cleansing breaths and soothing tea to you. | ||
| kimberly
Advanced Member Username: kimberly Post Number: 207 Registered: 1-2007 |
Hey Dave, I wanted to toss in my perspective on your most comprehensive and dare I say it, eloquent post? ;) You're right, it's tough to be a moderator. So many different people, so many different personalities, so many mixed variables, phase of the moon, etc. etc, they all play a part in a day in the life. And, this discussion board *is* a part of a day in the life for each and every individual that either passes through or hangs their hat and stays awhile. (Why, I seem to remember hearing Bill tgo saying once that he's online every couple of hours or so everyday, and for that matter I've *been guilty* of doing the same.) ;) Point being, this is a great place. Invaluable for not only the technical support but even more importantly, the camaraderie and fellowship of a group of people 'come together' to share the commonality of the love and ownership of Alembic instruments. Fact of the matter is, this is one of the most pleasant and quite often most entertaining of discussion boards I've ever had the pleasure of being a part of. Let me rephrase that. This *is* the most pleasant and entertaining online *community* I've ever had the pleasure of being a part of and you the individual and as 'Modder Dave', are absolutely an integral part of it. It's a tough gig being a mod, but you're doing an excellent job in my humble opinion. Keep up the great work Dave and we'll all help you out as after all, this *is* a community. With the very best of my regards, Kimberly | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6239 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks everybody!!! | ||
| pinbacking
Member Username: pinbacking Post Number: 55 Registered: 1-2005 |
You do good work dave, and I like it when you reply to my posts! Thankyou!!! -Royce P.S. I know what post you're referring to. Don't sweat it, that guy was uppety anyway, and it wasn't your fault seeing as how you tried to diffuse the situation, not make it worse. You can't win'em all, but you can try, and you did! Thats what's really important, right? | ||
| pinbacking
Member Username: pinbacking Post Number: 57 Registered: 1-2005 |
oh, maybe i don't know what post you're talking about... ; ) | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1336 Registered: 10-2003 |
"P.S. I know what post you're referring to. Don't sweat it, that guy was uppety anyway, and it wasn't your fault..." Boy, THAT sure narrows it down a bit! John | ||
| pinbacking
Member Username: pinbacking Post Number: 58 Registered: 1-2005 |
Well, Dave didn't want that post to be "mentioned" so I didn't want to be specific; but I think I was thinking about a different post than he was... | ||
| jakebass
Junior Username: jakebass Post Number: 38 Registered: 7-2007 |
Hi Dave, I don't visit many forums (two in fact) but I hear enough about others to know that the Alembic forum is one of the friendliest and well managed around. The tone of helpfulness, the wealth of knowledge about something we all seem to love unendingly and the breadth of the community all make for (in my experience) a really great facility. In no small measure that is largely attributable to you and Alembic. so thanks to you all Jake | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1337 Registered: 10-2003 |
Royce, I just thought it was funny that your post described most of us at one point or another! ;) John | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 1324 Registered: 11-2003 |
What kind of pie? Because if it's not pumpkin then it's just a silly myth of a pie. Dave, I don't know of many who would want to take this on. Keep up the good work. Sam | ||
| bassdr
Member Username: bassdr Post Number: 99 Registered: 10-2004 |
Dave you do an awesome job! I don't post often but read the posts several times a week. You are always right on and generous with your posts. Thanks for all you do for our special community (anything to do with a short bus? LOL)Michael | ||
| alemberic
Member Username: alemberic Post Number: 64 Registered: 6-2006 |
Dave-- I would like to add my thanks and affirmation for the job you do. I really appreciate your even-handed and even-tempered dealings with some very sensitive and/or challenging situations which sometimes arise on this board, and judging from the other posts on this topic, it is apparent that I'm not the only one. Thank you for the job you do, and the way you do it. The paragraph in your post which discusses the fact that this board is a private forum is right on the mark. It is also something that--in my opinion, anyway--all posters should read, read again, and take to heart before posting anything. Finally, I'd like to thank all my fellow Alembic club members for being as warm, welcoming, helpful, knowledgeable, and fun to hang with as any group I've ever encountered. I am an infrequent poster, but a very frequent reader, and I truly appreciate this forum. Also, thanks to the Wickershams for creating it--and allowing it to continue--in the first place! Eric | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 1084 Registered: 7-2003 |
Dave: Fortunately, I don't think I saw the post that you were referring to. You and a lot of others do a lot to keep this environment friendly and open. Not all chatboards enjoy such great results. The moderator's role is too frequently difficult and, at times, thankless. I appreciate your patience and integrity in your efforts. As I mentioned, it takes a lot of folks to make and keep a good environment, so here's a thank you to everyone else. I hope you can forgive my (hopefully infrequent) lapses in citizenship and consideration. This forum is a pleasure, a comfort and someplace I enjoy visiting - especially after a hiatus. The comments already posted resonated for me. Thanks again, Dave. Bill (the other one) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6249 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks again everybody! | ||
| jbybj
Intermediate Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 140 Registered: 6-2006 |
Peace and Love, in all postings. I am very grateful for the tone and culture of this forum. Still, and this is not a reference to what transpires here, I think there is far too much offense being taken in our society today. Lighten up people. It's not even safe to mock retarded people anymore, you can't even call them retarded! Wait, there I go again, writing out my interior thoughts, I am sooo sorry. JBY maybe there should be a drug screening to join this forum? (Message edited by jbybj on February 22, 2008) | ||
| dnburgess
Senior Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 539 Registered: 1-2003 |
"..there is far too much offense being taken in our society today.." JBY - now that wouldn't have anything to do with political leaders whose raison d'etre is fear of "others" would it? | ||
| jbybj
Intermediate Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 141 Registered: 6-2006 |
I thought we weren't supposed to discuss politics. :-) I think I need to start a post about piccolo tuning on a 34" scale, I've been considering trying this out.. JBY | ||
| dnburgess
Senior Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 540 Registered: 1-2003 |
Yes, quite right. Both GHS and D'Addario have 34" piccolo string sets - I prefer the sound of the D'Addarios - a little smoother. | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 916 Registered: 11-2004 |
Moder Dave, Thanks for who you are and what you do here. You help make this such a great forum. I can't imagine there being a better moderator anywhere in cyberville. Rich | ||
| edwin
Advanced Member Username: edwin Post Number: 293 Registered: 5-2002 |
I've used DR piccolo strings as well, on a 35" bass. I think the strings were very nice, but it wasn't the right instrument to make into a piccolo. Edwin | ||
| hendixclarke
Advanced Member Username: hendixclarke Post Number: 228 Registered: 6-2007 |
One thing about this I'll say clearly... When you say nice things to people, you're closer to holding a stronger faith in humanity and goodness of the soul. In other words Dave, I have much love for your great works in keeping the balance, and keeping thing clean. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6277 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks again everyone!!! | ||
| alembickoa
Member Username: alembickoa Post Number: 58 Registered: 5-2002 |
Obviously I haven't been here in a couple of weeks. As one of the "senior" (in more ways than one, I'm sure...do I HAVE to have another birthday this year?) members here, it would just be a privilege to add that the integrity of this forum has been very much upheld over the years because, like the instruments, this forum is a class act. Keep up the good work, Dave. Regards... Steve |
