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BTH K10A
12-09-2013, 22:12
I might be wrong but but it seems that the forum has lost its way over the last three months or so. To me, it seems to have turned into a DinDins and Wots Spinning forum at the expense of the great technical topics/advice/banter that used to be prevalent. Even the mods appear post very little now. I initially put this down to being a temporary summer hols thing but now I'm not so sure.

walpurgis
12-09-2013, 22:20
I think it's due to the proper Hi-Fi season not having got under way yet. Most people seem to get stuck into their equipment mods and upgrades etc., when the winter weather sets in. I know I do.

southall-1998
12-09-2013, 22:21
If you are getting unhappy with this place, then perhaps best thing is to leave? (Not being rude)

Alex_UK
12-09-2013, 22:24
Hi Andy, for me personally, I'd go for your latter theory - I've been more "guilty" than anyone taking a summer sabatical, but I do believe it will pick up as the nights draw in. I guess we'll see?! :)

BTH K10A
12-09-2013, 22:57
If you are getting unhappy with this place, then perhaps best thing is to leave? (Not being rude)

Yes you are probably right as my interest is mainly in quality vintage hifi which generates little interest here so I doubt I'll log in again, but I was wondering, having read some of your posts on another forum, will you be following your own advice? (Not being rude)

MartinT
13-09-2013, 05:12
For me it's simply the pressure of work and the demand for ever more productivity with the same team size. I do try to post every day and keep up with what's going on, but it's squeezed into little moments. When I do have free time I'm trying to catch up with my musical purchases :)

Oldpinkman
13-09-2013, 05:40
Certainly if you're not eulogising techies or mains upgrades you are left feeling a bit of an outsider , and recent experiences with both leave me feeling i have no common reference for taking anything their lovers say seriously. Where do you all go for a change? Is there another, less stifling playground we could meet up in for tea and a jaffa cake? Where are you off to clark? I had a bit of a scan. Vinyl engine has a nice funk pink t section, but I wonder if that's just the opposite extreme. I don't want to sit in my own clique any more than I want to sit in marcos. And its nice chatting to my new chums. Suggestions on a postcard. ..

MartinT
13-09-2013, 06:04
recent experiences with both leave me feeling i have no common reference for taking anything their lovers say seriously

There's plenty here for everyone, Richard. Please remember that we are all individuals with our own take on equipment and sounds. You are, ultimately, speaking with forum members who are into music. How we go about it and what we hear is the challenge of interpretation and the fun of discussion. Open your mind a little!

Marco
13-09-2013, 06:17
I might be wrong but but it seems that the forum has lost its way over the last three months or so. To me, it seems to have turned into a DinDins and Wots Spinning forum at the expense of the great technical topics/advice/banter that used to be prevalent. Even the mods appear post very little now. I initially put this down to being a temporary summer hols thing but now I'm not so sure.

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your feedback. I know that you often go through these periods, a bit like Andre, where nothing seems of interest to you, and my advice is always the same: you're always welcome here, so just dip in and out as and when you feel like it.

Unfortunately it's unlikely for there continually to be numerous discussions about the subject matter you're mainly interested in, as it is pretty specialist, although I myself, as you know, have an interest in the things you like. However, relevant discussions do pop up now and then, and of course you're welcome to contribute updates to your own (fascinating) system, as I always enjoy your contributions :)

As for lack of activity from the mods, some of them have outlined the reasons for that. I've also been quiter than usual, as certain matters pertaining to my business have been taking up most of my time. However that will change soon, and I will have more time to contribute. Also, as others have said, things always pick up again once the full holiday season comes to an end.

Anyway, as I said, you're always welcome here, so hopefully there will be more chat about quality vintage equipment soon! :cool:

Marco.

Marco
13-09-2013, 06:34
Yes you are probably right as my interest is mainly in quality vintage hifi which generates little interest here so I doubt I'll log in again, but I was wondering, having read some of your posts on another forum, will you be following your own advice? (Not being rude)

Yes, I've noticed that - he's a naughty boy. However, let's just call it 'youthful exuberance'! ;)

Marco.

kenworthy100
13-09-2013, 07:04
To a very large extent I would agree with the OP, that being said it not only applies to this forum but to other hifi forums as well, this would seem to indicate that perhaps the warmer summer has meant less time at the keyboard.

One recent thread I particularly enjoyed was SQ's restoration of his Krell Power amp, the pictorial account of the amp being restored was a joy to read.

prestonchipfryer
13-09-2013, 07:20
I don't agree with the OP. This summer has been fantastic and people have been doing things that you can only do outside (ooooh, er). When the cold, wet and windy stuff arrives and the long, dark nights are here, then there will be an upsurge of posts.

Oldpinkman
13-09-2013, 07:37
Hi Andy, for me personally, I'd go for your latter theory - I've been more "guilty" than anyone taking a summer sabatical, but I do believe it will pick up as the nights draw in. I guess we'll see?! :)

That is a lovely photo on your avatar Alex. Cracking kids! :)

Oldpinkman
13-09-2013, 07:46
There's plenty here for everyone, Richard. Please remember that we are all individuals with our own take on equipment and sounds. You are, ultimately, speaking with forum members who are into music. How we go about it and what we hear is the challenge of interpretation and the fun of discussion. Open your mind a little!

Thanks Martin. Like every bigot I think I am open-minded. I like most of the forum members. I just want to find out if there is another uncensored playground where people hang out. You know - a bit like "what other hobbies do you have?" - which other HiFi forums do you belong to? In my case, having browsed a bit, that should be "which other forums do you belong to and you can remember the login and password for"? since it seems I've applied to a few over the years googling a particular answer, as they point out when I try to register, and can't for the life of me remember what I registered with. To date, this is the only one I've posted on that I am aware. The only one's I've cracked so far are vinyl engine, where I used an old favourite, and the forbidden forest where I hadn't previously registered. Just my enquiring - open - mind :)

Joe
13-09-2013, 08:22
I might be wrong but but it seems that the forum has lost its way over the last three months or so. To me, it seems to have turned into a DinDins and Wots Spinning forum at the expense of the great technical topics/advice/banter that used to be prevalent. Even the mods appear post very little now. I initially put this down to being a temporary summer hols thing but now I'm not so sure.

It's obviously navel-gazing time for hifi forums, because there's a very similar thread running at pfm. I doubt there's a single reason; the good summer weather is obviously a factor, but I think forums in general are feeling the effects of the dilution of 'proper' hifi with computer audio, which maybe has less tinkering potential.

Joe
13-09-2013, 08:24
I've also been quiter than usual, as certain matters pertaining to my business have been taking up most of my time. However that will change soon, and I will have more time to contribute. Also, as others have said, things always pick up again once the full holiday season comes to an end.


Plus you've been 'playing away' at pfm!

DaveK
13-09-2013, 08:25
I think of this place as (one of) my favourite pubs. Nice place to spend a cosy hour or two, particularly on cold winter nights, and the other guys you first found there are an interesting bunch to discuss some of your favourite topics with. However things change, inevitably. Some of the new guys that join are not so interesting and seem to want to discuss things you discussed ages ago, and then you start to realise that even the ones you originally thought were interesting seem to have a limited range of subjects they want to talk about - again an inevitable part of forum life. Still many guys you like to discuss things with but the other sort slowly begin to 'outweigh' the pleasure you originally got.
Just my take on AoS.
Dave.

Gordon Steadman
13-09-2013, 08:29
Thanks Martin. Like every bigot I think I am open-minded. I like most of the forum members. I just want to find out if there is another uncensored playground where people hang out. You know - a bit like "what other hobbies do you have?" - which other HiFi forums do you belong to? In my case, having browsed a bit, that should be "which other forums do you belong to and you can remember the login and password for"? since it seems I've applied to a few over the years googling a particular answer, as they point out when I try to register, and can't for the life of me remember what I registered with. To date, this is the only one I've posted on that I am aware. The only one's I've cracked so far are vinyl engine, where I used an old favourite, and the forbidden forest where I hadn't previously registered. Just my enquiring - open - mind :)

Don't PCs have a password manager built in? My computer (can't say its a Mac 'cos....well, you know:rolleyes:) just logs me in automatically. If there's a problem, I can access the encripted passwords and redo them.

Marco
13-09-2013, 08:30
Plus you've been 'playing away' at pfm!

Lol... Ya gots ta spread the love, dude ;)

Marco.

Marco
13-09-2013, 08:32
I think of this place as (one of) my favourite pubs. Nice place to spend a cosy hour or two, particularly on cold winter nights, and the other guys you first found there are an interesting bunch to discuss some of your favourite topics with. However things change, inevitably. Some of the new guys that join are not so interesting and seem to want to discuss things you discussed ages ago, and then you start to realise that even the ones you originally thought were interesting seem to have a limited range of subjects they want to talk about - again an inevitable part of forum life. Still many guys you like to discuss things with but the other sort slowly begin to 'outweigh' the pleasure you originally got.
Just my take on AoS.
Dave.

I think that's an astute observation, Dave. It certainly contains more than a few grains of truth :)

Marco.

Stratmangler
13-09-2013, 08:35
the dilution of 'proper' hifi with computer audio

Dinosaur :ner:

MartinT
13-09-2013, 08:40
One recent thread I particularly enjoyed was SQ's restoration of his Krell Power amp, the pictorial account of the amp being restored was a joy to read.

Agreed, that was a joy to read and what this forum is all about.

I promise to get back to my Gale restoration soon, only my craftsmanship is about one tenth that of Simon's.

Audioman
13-09-2013, 08:43
I think the problem has been an excess of threads trying to convince people that some outrageously expensive cable is going to significantly change the basic sound of a hi-fi system. Full marks to people like Oldpinkman who are prepared to challenge the assumptions put forward by the cable fanboys (and girl :)).

A notable absence of administrators including Marco who occasionally pops up only to close down a thread where the argument is not going in a direction that suits. And of course censorship in not mentioning certain forums and certain persons who's names I will resist mentioning on pain of banishment.

Yes let's get back to discussing real hi-fi equipment topics and music with less self promotion of 'accessories' with dubious audio properties. No banned subjects with members acting responsible and not introducing personal issues by introducing innuendo about certain manufacturers. Ban those doing the shilling and undermining not the victims. Free and responsible speech and sensible discussion please.

Paul.

Oldpinkman
13-09-2013, 08:45
Don't PCs have a password manager built in? My computer (can't say its a Mac 'cos....well, you know:rolleyes:) just logs me in automatically. If there's a problem, I can access the encripted passwords and redo them.

Have you tried it on sites you last used 6 years ago, with a PC replaced 3 times since then? These Mac's are awesome!
Oh no - it'll be 25 years old and still the best there is. I remember the old Apple II I used Supercalc on (that's the one long before Excel children)...:doh:

:cool:

Rare Bird
13-09-2013, 08:48
I think forums in general are feeling the effects of the dilution of 'proper' hifi with computer audio, which maybe has less tinkering potential.

+1 I personally think computer audio is a cop out, it's the easy way out imho

Frankyc2003
13-09-2013, 09:05
Well, when you start tweaking parameters in Unix on your SBT, I feel well out of my league though.

Computer audio can be incredibly complicated too, its just a different type of tinkering!

Ali Tait
13-09-2013, 09:05
I think the problem has been an excess of threads trying to convince people that some outrageously expensive cable is going to significantly change the basic sound of a hi-fi system. Full marks to people like Oldpinkman who are prepared to challenge the assumptions put forward by the cable fanboys (and girl :)).

A notable absence of administrators including Marco who occasionally pops up only to close down a thread were the argument is not going in a direction that suits. And of course censorship in not mentioning certain forums and certain persons who's names I will resist mentioning on pain of banishment.

Yes let's get back to discussing real hi-fi equipment topics and music with less self promotion of 'accessories' with dubious audio properties. No banned subjects with members acting responsible and not introducing personal issues by introducing innuendo about certain manufacturers. Ban those doing the shilling and undermining not the victims. Free and responsible speech and sensible discussion please.

Paul.

Hear Hear!!

Ali Tait
13-09-2013, 09:06
+1 I personally think computer audio is a cop out, it's the easy way out imho

Why should hi fi be hard? :D

Marco
13-09-2013, 09:15
+1 I personally think computer audio is a cop out, it's the easy way out imho

I guess it depends on your lifestyle... For me there are three main possible advantages with computer audio:

1) Access to unlimited amounts of music/introduction to lots of new stuff.

2) Greater convenience/less clutter.

3) Possible sonic upgrades over a mainstream CD player.

Of those, only the first one applies in my circumstances and is of any real interest. Convenience isn't a priority for me (all my music, CDs and vinyl, is within easy reach in my dedicated music room (and correctly catalogued in genre and in alphabetical order).

Clutter doesn't matter because the music room is there for one purpose only: to house my hi-fi system and music, and keep it separate from the rest of the house. Therefore 'clutter' isn't an issue, although I do keep the room clean and tidy.

As for 3), so far, I've found no streaming solution that outperforms my modified Sony CDP and DAC - and I suspect that I'll probably always struggle with that one.

However, in other people's circumstances, the situation will be very different. Therefore, computer audio (done well) definitely has its merits! :)

Marco.

Audioman
13-09-2013, 09:21
+1 I personally think computer audio is a cop out, it's the easy way out imho

Well it's a cop out in as much as collecting music is concerned. How they don't miss all the fun of scouting for that illusive vinyl LP I don't know? Maybe a valid way of having HQ background music though. :lol:

Gordon Steadman
13-09-2013, 09:30
Have you tried it on sites you last used 6 years ago, with a PC replaced 3 times since then? These Mac's are awesome!
Oh no - it'll be 25 years old and still the best there is. I remember the old Apple II I used Supercalc on (that's the one long before Excel children)...:doh:

:cool:

Ye gods, I didn't know you were that old:eek:

Oh and the answer is yes 'cos Apple (did I mention I have a Mac?) have a good system of passing on all the info one one computer to another and anyway, just about the only organised part of my life relates to computer use. I have back ups to disk and old stuff to CD so I still have stuff I haven't needed to look at from around 1985!! (All carefully transfered from floppies !!)

All other areas of my life is a matter of knowing which pile something is in:mental:

DaveK
13-09-2013, 09:47
Thanks Marco, we don't always see eye to eye do we?
I forgot to say that, also like the pub scene, sometime the customers fall out with each other and/or the landlord.
BTW I tried to put a couple of smilies at the end of each of the above two sentences so as to make the humour more apparent but for some reason they wouldn't shift from the side panel.
Dave.

walpurgis
13-09-2013, 10:01
I think of this place as (one of) my favourite pubs.

Just can't get a decent pint here though Dave! :)

Rare Bird
13-09-2013, 10:05
Computer audio can be incredibly complicated too, its just a different type of tinkering!

Yes cos as ever people like to make it that way ;)

Everything about this hobby, record collecting etc are well & totally gone through the window with computer audio.

The reason i keep going back to Vinyl is i feel i have nothing in common with say CD, a seeming big hole in my passion even, surely that's an indication something is not right?

walpurgis
13-09-2013, 10:13
I note that some members are griping about the recently dominant thread topics. As I see it, that's the way it goes from time to time. Not all subject matter may appeal to individuals, but there's usually something of interest here and there. Nobody has to read threads they find unappealing after all.

I think ANY topic related to audio and in particular Hi-Fi of course, is valid for discussion, even if it would be of interest only to a few.

As for 'Abstract Chat' (and Din Dins). Well, any subject under the sun should qualify and within reasonably politically correct and polite limits should be welcome, no matter if it's nonsense or even a bit sensitive, because again, nobody is forced to read it.

Marco
13-09-2013, 10:13
Thanks Marco, we don't always see eye to eye do we?
I forgot to say that, also like the pub scene, sometime the customers fall out with each other and/or the landlord.
BTW I tried to put a couple of smilies at the end of each of the above two sentences so as to make the humour more apparent but for some reason they wouldn't shift from the side panel.


Lol... No worries - the message was unaffected. Yup, people can disagree with each other and sometimes fall out. It's no biggie - that's just life! The key is just to accept that fact, don't hold any grudges (as that can eat away at you and f*ck up your head), and move on. You've now been here long enough to understand what AoS is all about and as such are now an integral part of our community :cool:

Marco.

southall-1998
13-09-2013, 11:10
Just can't get a decent pint here though Dave! :)

You and your bloody beer, Geoff ;)

southall-1998
13-09-2013, 11:13
I note that some members are griping about the recently dominant thread topics. As I see it, that's the way it goes from time to time. Not all subject matter may appeal to individuals, but there's usually something of interest here and there. Nobody has to read threads they find unappealing after all.

I think ANY topic related to audio and in particular Hi-Fi of course, is valid for discussion, even if it would be of interest only to a few.

As for 'Abstract Chat' (and Din Dins). Well, any subject under the sun should qualify and within reasonably politically correct and polite limits should be welcome, no matter if it's nonsense or even a bit sensitive, because again, nobody is forced to read it.

Spot on, Geoff.

MartinT
13-09-2013, 12:00
A notable absence of administrators including Marco who occasionally pops up only to close down a thread where the argument is not going in a direction that suits. And of course censorship in not mentioning certain forums and certain persons who's names I will resist mentioning on pain of banishment.


That's a little disingenuous, Paul. The mains cable debate raged on and on with no-one backing down from their entrenched views. Plenty of chances were given to get your opinions in. Marco rightly closed the thread when there was nothing new to say. 45 pages and 450 replies later. That's hardly censorship!

Oldpinkman
13-09-2013, 12:11
That's a little disingenuous, Paul. The mains cable debate raged on and on with no-one backing down from their entrenched views. Plenty of chances were given to get your opinions in. Marco rightly closed the thread when there was nothing new to say. 45 pages and 450 replies later. That's hardly censorship!

Well, sort of


Quote Originally Posted by Barry View Post
So now, can we please close this thread, and get back to discussing what the Art of Sound is all about - music!? Or if you don't want to talk about music, we could always continue with Frank's suggested topic.

We don't close threads, muchacho, unless we have no other option. We simply allow them to die a natural death... Oh, and we discuss music in the music room and hifi (and general smut) in all other areas. It's a simple system that seems to work well!

Marco.

I still don't really understand what changed and why it couldn't be allowed to die a natural death. Boring possibly, but as others have pointed out - if you're not interested don't read it. :scratch:

Audio Al
13-09-2013, 12:50
Whats wrong with the forum ?

NOTHING

Its a forum not a way of life

When you have time use it , if you have no spare time don't

If some posts seen irrelevant to Hi Fi why read them ?

I read most post but don't always reply if its a topic I have no useful input for

Is it compulsory for mods to post all the time ? NO, they have private lives as well ;)

Marco
13-09-2013, 13:00
Hear, hear, Al - spot on!

We do indeed have 'real' lives, and most of us an active social life, too, outside of forums. Much as we love AoS, our lives don't always revolve around it :)

Are you going to the Whittlebury Hall show, btw? I'd like to buy my head daftee a beer (or three) :cool:

Marco.

Audio Al
13-09-2013, 13:13
Are you going to the Whittlebury Hall show, btw? I'd like to buy my head daftee a beer (or three)


Yes Marco on Sunday , did book a weekend ticket but forgot my first born is getting married on Saturday :doh:

Marco
13-09-2013, 13:16
Shit - I'm going on Saturday. No worries, we'll catch up again another time...

Forgot? That'll be due to your daft nut being full of soda! :D

All the best to your son or daughter on their big day :cool: Will you be sober enough to go to the show on Sunday? :eyebrows:

Marco.

r100
13-09-2013, 14:04
I note that some members are griping about the recently dominant thread topics. As I see it, that's the way it goes from time to time. Not all subject matter may appeal to individuals, but there's usually something of interest here and there. Nobody has to read threads they find unappealing after all.

I think ANY topic related to audio and in particular Hi-Fi of course, is valid for discussion, even if it would be of interest only to a few.

As for 'Abstract Chat' (and Din Dins). Well, any subject under the sun should qualify and within reasonably politically correct and polite limits should be welcome, no matter if it's nonsense or even a bit sensitive, because again, nobody is forced to read it.

1+

Audio Al
13-09-2013, 14:31
Will you be sober enough to go to the show on Sunday?


O yes ;)

southall-1998
13-09-2013, 14:44
O yes ;)

lol, in a '''Churchill the dog''' style :)

MartinT
13-09-2013, 14:44
I still don't really understand what changed and why it couldn't be allowed to die a natural death.

We do discuss these threads behind the scenes and a joint decision was made that the thread had gone circular, was never going to 'resolve' anything, was taking valuable resources away from and, frankly, diverting people's attention away from the rest of the forum. It's few threads that warrant closing but we do reserve the right to do so when we feel that the negative impact outweighs the benefit in keeping it open and that the arguments are never going to get anywhere.

Cable threads, eh?! And yes, before you say so, I'm aware that I'm discussing a new cable I've acquired in another thread!

Audio Al
13-09-2013, 14:47
No worries, we'll catch up again another time..

At the AOS Show ?

OK door it is :door::sofa:

Oldpinkman
13-09-2013, 15:09
We do discuss these threads behind the scenes and a joint decision was made that the thread had gone circular, was never going to 'resolve' anything, was taking valuable resources away from and, frankly, diverting people's attention away from the rest of the forum. It's few threads that warrant closing but we do reserve the right to do so when we feel that the negative impact outweighs the benefit in keeping it open and that the arguments are never going to get anywhere.

Cable threads, eh?! And yes, before you say so, I'm aware that I'm discussing a new cable I've acquired in another thread!

LOL - fair enough Martin. As my washing machine lesson proves - watch the bloody connectors too. That was a bit scary that she'd just been putting up with it :eek:

Beobloke
13-09-2013, 15:27
Shit - I'm going on Saturday..

Excellent! If I do make it along you can buy me that pint you owe me from 3 years ago... :D

walpurgis
13-09-2013, 17:01
You and your bloody beer, Geoff ;)

Not had a drop for weeks mate. That may change tonight though. ;)

Marco
13-09-2013, 18:06
Excellent! If I do make it along you can buy me that pint you owe me from 3 years ago... :D

Nice one, Adam. Will Ursula also be accompanying you? I'll be dragging Del along with me... Actually, she quite enjoys these things :)

Marco.

guy
13-09-2013, 20:23
I might be wrong but but it seems that the forum has lost its way over the last three months or so. To me, it seems to have turned into a DinDins and Wots Spinning forum at the expense of the great technical topics/advice/banter that used to be prevalent. Even the mods appear post very little now. I initially put this down to being a temporary summer hols thing but now I'm not so sure.

Of course part of the problem with the forum losing its way could be down to some members resorting to quite abusive responses when they feel slighted.

Ref' recently closed cable thread - too much abuse to quote in full, but I'm sure you know what I mean ;)

Mr Kipling
13-09-2013, 20:30
I'm just here to see how many more drive units Casanova Walpurgis is going to invest in. That, and the pork scratchings.

Alex_UK
13-09-2013, 20:32
I'm just here to see how many more drive units Casanova Walpurgis is going to invest in. That, and the pork scratchings.

You forgot the Scampie Fries !!! :)

RobbieGong
13-09-2013, 21:44
It's a forum and a good one IMO - Nothings perfect and nothing can possibly float your boat completely all the time ! I pop in and pop out - take a look, learn stuf, ask questions and contribute where I feel I can add or share something from my own experiences - simples mi thinks :lol: !! Sorry if I sound flippant but I think us 'hifi / music folk' can take it all a bit too serious sometimes and end up missin the whole point. I'm at a place now where I've gone back to my roots which is to just really enjoy the music :D It's liberating and great - beats stressin about every strikin' miniscule aspect of vinyl playback thats for sure !!! ;)

Stratmangler
13-09-2013, 21:44
You forgot the Scampie Fries !!! :)

These must be the East Anglia version with added "e" ;)

http://www.britishcornershop.co.uk/images/large/CS0046.jpg

Marco
13-09-2013, 22:41
It's Scampie Fries for daftees, daftee! All important words deliberately end in an 'e' :D

You'll get a hang of the lingo eventually!!

Marco.

Stratmangler
14-09-2013, 07:43
The good people of Whitby certainly disagree http://www.whitby-seafoods.com/news/?p=911 , or at least those from Whitby Seafoods :D

Oldpinkman
14-09-2013, 07:58
Thank goodness for a bit of daftee. This risked getting serious ;)

MartinT
14-09-2013, 09:01
These must be the East Anglia version with added "e" ;)

LOL - I love it when you get on your pedant's bike :)

Mr Kipling
14-09-2013, 11:01
You forgot the Scampie Fries !!! :)

Sorry Alex. I know you do try and cater for the varying tastes of the AOS membership.

Have the chocolate pretzels come in yet?

synsei
22-09-2013, 19:52
Forums are fluid things and their characters can change with the weather, or more accurately with changes in membership patterns and behaviour. It is fascinating to search out old threads and note the number of members who were once prolific posters and yet have now disappeared under the radar. Reading these old threads I find myself wondering where these people are now, and what changes may have influenced them to stop posting. Perhaps circumstances in their personal lives meant they could no longer spare the time to banter online. Maybe financial constraints meant the hifi had to go to be replaced by something more modest, or perhaps it was far simpler than that. Maybe the forum atmosphere changed for them to such an extent that they no longer felt comfortable here. This is perfectly natural behaviour. There are a myriad reasons why forums hemorrhage members, however as people leave by the back door new blood flows in through the front, and as long as the balance is healthy then the forum will continue unabated, albeit in a slightly different guise... :)

In many a large gathering there are likely to be those of a similar disposition who we would naturally gravitate towards, as well as others we may prefer to keep at arms length. This is human nature and to be honest it is no different to the type of behavior one can observe down at your local on any evening during the week. As long as we can all see it in this light then everything should be hunky dory. It should also be taken into consideration that every one of us is going to experience an occasional blip in our personal lives and perhaps behave totally out of character as a consequence. I have been there myself once or twice and as a result I have composed the odd post which may have raised an eyebrow or two. It happens to all of us at some point and it is how the rest of us deal with such situations which defines us as a community. In general it is my belief that AoS is a very healthy community which exercises a fair amount of tolerance towards those with differing opinions. The onus falls on us as individuals to respect these opinions without belittling those who hold them.

Dave...

Rare Bird
22-09-2013, 20:06
I'm hoping to be abducted by aliens any time now {Fingers crossed}

Barry
22-09-2013, 22:42
Good post Dave.

Mr Kipling
22-09-2013, 22:48
It's not all it's cracked up to be, Andre.

synsei
22-09-2013, 22:52
It's not all it's cracked up to be, Andre.

I had my suspicions, re: the photo... :)

walpurgis
22-09-2013, 23:20
When it happened to me they brought me back in a hurry. They couldn't cope with someone taking the piss all the time! :D

Oldpinkman
23-09-2013, 05:32
You were lucky our forebears had the wisdom to leave a few big rocks in the ground as navigation aids geoff, or we might have lost you for good.
Worse, they could have abducted my wife first and believed her when she said "I can navigate" :lol:

synsei
23-09-2013, 05:45
I'm hoping to be abducted by aliens any time now {Fingers crossed}

Andre, you would hate it dude as the inside of their craft will probably look like some weird fusion between a branch of Ikea, the Tefal research centre and a pathology lab. That is, unless you are lucky enough to be abducted by a saucerful of secret alien hippies on their way to the cosmos's answer to Woodstock, where perhaps they will be hoping to see Emily play as they set their controls for the heart of the sun... I should stop now... :sofa:

Marco
23-09-2013, 10:05
Yup, good post, Dave - in particular this bit, which is spot on:


In many a large gathering there are likely to be those of a similar disposition who we would naturally gravitate towards, as well as others we may prefer to keep at arms length. This is human nature and to be honest it is no different to the type of behavior one can observe down at your local on any evening during the week. As long as we can all see it in this light then everything should be hunky dory. It should also be taken into consideration that every one of us is going to experience an occasional blip in our personal lives and perhaps behave totally out of character as a consequence. I have been there myself once or twice and as a result I have composed the odd post which may have raised an eyebrow or two. It happens to all of us at some point and it is how the rest of us deal with such situations which defines us as a community. In general it is my belief that AoS is a very healthy community which exercises a fair amount of tolerance towards those with differing opinions. The onus falls on us as individuals to respect these opinions without belittling those who hold them.


Indeed.

I view AoS, or any other large and established on-line community, as simply like being inside a huge room, full of hundreds of people with all sorts of different personalities, characters and opinions - and then automatically expecting to get on well with every one of them!! :doh:

In 'real life', that is totally unrealistic and would never happen; therefore, neither is it going to be the case on-line. There are always going to be people with whom we form a natural affinity, and therefore get on with, and those who invoke in us the opposite response. The trick is to ignore those in the latter category, if you feel that not doing so is liable to get you into trouble, and instead simply enjoy interacting with the former - which is exactly what most folk do in 'real life'! :exactly:

As you rightly say, one could also compare such Internet communities with a pub, where the regulars will sit and debate all manner of issues, and quite often vehemently disagree, however unlike inside a pub, the language and behaviour used is more strictly controlled in an on-line community, quite simply because the 'regulars' there are not as accountable for their actions.

Therefore, steps must be taken by the management in order to ensure that their behaviour, and that of other members, is kept within the stipulated guidelines. In terms of AoS, that means reading what is very carefully outlined in 'Our Ethos', which ALL new members should thoroughly understand and digest BEFORE joining (and then strictly adhere to afterwards): http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?17-The-basics-of-Ethos

However, where the comparison with a pub is very similar indeed, is in that the decisions of the 'Landlord' are final! ;)

Marco.

Oldpinkman
23-09-2013, 10:37
Andre, you would hate it dude as the inside of their craft will probably look like some weird fusion between a branch of Ikea, the Tefal research centre and a pathology lab. That is, unless you are lucky enough to be abducted by a saucerful of secret alien hippies on their way to the cosmos's answer to Woodstock, where perhaps they will be hoping to see Emily play as they set their controls for the heart of the sun... I should stop now... :sofa:

I always wondered if Pink Floyd were aliens :scratch:

Joe
23-09-2013, 14:35
I always wondered if Pink Floyd were aliens :scratch:

They were Southerners, which amounts to the same thing.

walpurgis
23-09-2013, 14:50
They were Southerners, which amounts to the same thing.

I was going to say something, but I'll wait and see who posts the most appropriate ripost.

Marco
23-09-2013, 14:50
:lolsign:

Indeed, soft southern (although admittedly talented) puffters!

Marco.

Ali Tait
23-09-2013, 14:53
They were Southerners, which amounts to the same thing.

:lol:

walpurgis
23-09-2013, 14:55
Trust 'The Guvnor' to say that. Mind you the far reaches of sheep shagging country aren't really 'oop north'! ;)

Marco
23-09-2013, 15:24
Maybe not, but I've got a nice view of 'Bessie's' back end from here...! :eyebrows:

Marco.

walpurgis
23-09-2013, 15:30
I bet 'Bessie' is the pretty one! :)

Marco
23-09-2013, 16:30
She's a fat-tailed ewe, and rather fetching, especially from this angle... :sheep: :D

Marco.

Audio Al
23-09-2013, 16:34
She's a fat-tailed ewe, and rather fetching, especially from this angle... :sheep: :D

Marco.

SOOOOO , Thats what you were doing when not at the NAS show :lol:

realysm42
23-09-2013, 16:40
+1 I personally think computer audio is a cop out, it's the easy way out imho

Lol, ridiculous statement.

The Black Adder
23-09-2013, 17:03
yes but it is a bit... clinical, soul less. It's just a download, nothing tangible and bereft of any artistic expression or involvement in a visual sense. It's not for me but it can sound superb so I can't knock that.

walpurgis
23-09-2013, 18:50
but it can sound superb

That's all that matters. The only thing is he sound! All else is secondary, the looks, the convenience, the format, etc.

Why do you think reel to reel tape is still used, it's hardly about convenience.

realysm42
24-09-2013, 11:47
I guess it depends on your definition of value.

Don't get me wrong, I like having physical things too (including media) but I 'play' cds, I rip them or buy the digital version of them.

Just because something is more convenient doesn't mean it's the easy way out, I've put a lot of thought, time, money and learning into getting my system where it is (not just plug and play).

Besides, what's wrong with the easy way, I'd rather send a text than carrier pigeon.

synsei
24-09-2013, 11:49
I guess it depends on your definition of value.

Don't get me wrong, I like having physical things too (including media) but I 'play' cds, I rip them or buy the digital version of them.

Just because something is more convenient doesn't mean it's the easy way out, I've put a lot of thought, time, money and learning into getting my system where it is (not just plug and play).

Besides, what's wrong with the easy way, I'd rather send a text than carrier pigeon.

Coo...Coo... C'mon, I really want to see those fingers... :D

struth
01-10-2013, 19:58
One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.