Sorry about that Andy (really).

I just no longer feel welcome on this BBS, and the ongoing negative postings directed at me are having an effect. Especially when they come from people I've met in person and shared the odd brewsky or two with.

Ahh.. those were the days.

I believe I'll take a break, now.

Good for you, Brad, starting this thread. I think it was much needed.

I just, for some reason, found myself rereading this thread. Maybe everyone concerned could do the same. It was nice to see how people all came together on this board and showed their true quality.

Just a thought...

What is going on???? This really is quite bizarre. I feel like one of those background people in the movies, and I'm just sitting at the bar when the action comes bursting through the front window.

I know my place. I'm pretty much useless in the forums here as a source of help when compared to the helpful people here. As such, I never read the other forums anymore because I can be of no help, and I've been content with my empeg for...oh...4.5 years. So I'm fine with just reading the Off Topic forum and getting help from the wonderful people here.

Imagine my surprise when, having been here every day, I suddenly see this stuff about how the BBS is in decline, everyone here is mean and unhelpful, and everyone is suddenly mad at Mark!

This message board is my most frequent stop on the web. I keep a tab open in Firefox all day long, and refresh dozens of times a day, and not just because I frequently have a question out there, but because I enjoy reading the threads here because they're actual conversations.

We're as strong as ever, people!

Rob, you'll *never* count as a "baddy" in my books. And do have a grand time at Amersfoort, folks. I'll be thinking of y'all, and so will your (hijacked) players.

Cheers

You're always welcome to come to the Indiana meet

*waves*

[waves]

Thanks, Laura. I think I'll be a last-minute definite-maybe as usual. September 23-25 are the dates I have in my calendar right now. Are those firmed up?

Cheers

Dates are now September 16th - 18th and since it's at my house, it doesn't matter if people come at the last minute. You can either stay here free or there are hotels near by.

What a bittersweet thread, how saddening and how sad......and yet how encouraging that people feel so strongly about this, the best of all possible BBS's: So diverse and shared by so many interesting people.

Throughout my personal and business career you have those letters, conversations and latterly emails where you wish you could pull the words back and swallow them - I'm sure that people in this thread must feel that way about things that they've posted.

Amersfoort is at the very top of things I look forward to each year and for my part, I shall be looking forward to picking up conversations and renewing friendships with people whom I know are friendly, accommodating and interesting: That's a definition of an Empegger - and there are many that I still hope to meet, either at the meet, or as as I make my way around the universe.

I recall meeting Jim Hogan a couple of years back, the first thing that he said to me was: "I know who you are, you talk just the way you post" and that for me sums it up, so many people that I know that I'll get along fine with because I know them from this, as I say, best of all possible BBS's.

I like this place, I probably visit it too often in the opinions of my employer, and many of the conversations are over my head - you don't want my playing with a soldering iron, and my Linux extends as far as fsdk'ing my emepg and only then with the instructions for the FAQ.

So I definitely get more from then I give to this community, I've always felt free to ask dumb techie questions and not felt looked down upon. Heck I've often asked questions after I've blown something up at work and you lot have saved my bacon.

Oh hang on, I have helped out others here, I mailed PCA batteries on a few occasions, and I felt a little bit of pride looking at some of his creations. Fantastic stuff.

As for someone feeling bruised...this place is actually very civil and that's a good thing, there are enough places out there with extremists. I think most people here have a healthy respect for others and accept that others can have different opinions.

I for one am mainly a lurker, but I feel some strong attachment to several of you people, none of whom I've ever actually met. I must say that it literally scares me that something could happen to this board. This is the ONLY BBS I'm a member of, and likely will be the only one in the foreseeable future. I must say, I haven't been able to check nearly as often in the recent past due to some personal problems so I have -=NO=- clue what everyone is upset about. It hurts me to see people that I respect angry at each other. I wouldn't know what to do if it weren't for the help of those on this board.

Mark, no matter what I owe you too much to ever be upset with you. (especially since I don't know why people are upset). But I want you to know that I think fondly of you at LEAST twice a day. (When I get in my car to and from work ) PLease know that you are certainly appreciated here.

As to the other aggrieved party, I don't even know who it is, but I can honestly say that there is no-one on this board that I wish weren't here.

Anyway, I'll quit dribbling on about nothing and start lurking again.