Sonoman, you've got it right, from my perspective. Here are a few things to share from my personal experiences on this forum and in the acoustic guitar world:

This could get lengthy, so if you don't feel like reading for a while, bail!

1) I have, for one, been very blessed with opportunities to own several high end acoustic intruments.

2) It is from a true spirit of what my ear, brain, and heart hears and feels as the best sound and inspiration for me, that I keep an instrument longer than a few months or so.

3) While I have many instrument hangers in my studio, if I have even one instrument that is sitting in a case in the closet, I believe I've got to sell it and let it go to someone who will play and enjoy it. I also believe great instruments are meant to be played...that is without passing judgement on any one else's perspective.

4) In the acoustic guitar world and learning what I like best through buying, selling, trading, listening, and playing...I've sent a very fine vintage Martin to NY for a guy to see if he wanted to buy it. He didn't. However, that was cool and it took a month for the decision...I've sent $ and told folks to send the instrument after the check cleared...I've sent instruments and told folks to play it for a few days and send me the $ if they decide they want to keep it...I've offered to send an instrument to someone trying to make a decision on what they've wanted to buy....I HAVE NEVER BEEN BURNED! That is HUGE. The positives gained from trusting people, and having them stick to their word is, from my perspective, worth the risk of getting burned. I'm not stupid, but I am trusting. People are generally good.

5) We all have the shared culture of loving, playing, and being inspired by great instruments. Music, from my perspective, is the ONLY language that crosses all cultures....period.

6) The forum gatherings have been fun...and there are others who like jam sessions, good times, beer and tequila! Cheers!

7) While we all make mistakes, react with emotion sometimes, and/or post with too much alcohol in our system, the vibe on this forum is 'inclusion', not 'exclusion', so I'm sure most, if not all, are willing to forgive, forget, or just ignore negative posts that have occurred.

8) Sometimes I think about this; In the late 80's, which most folks on this forum have memories of, the possibility of having a network of folks across the world, who share a specific passion connected to music and great guitars/instruments was impossible.

9) I believe we should use the advancement of technology to preserve and embrace the humanity that transcends generations. The parts of humanity to which I refer are so easily lost in modern times and here, we have the ability to preserve an important piece of humanity.

10) Music is not competition. Music is sharing, collaboration, learning, heartfelt, passionate, universal, emotional, therapeutic, creative, powerful, subtle, inspiring, motivating, dynamic, healing, many other things, and it transcends time: hours, days, months, years, decades, centuries.

Although different perspectives and emotionally charged responses have the potential to hurt, they also provide an opportunity to reflect on what we think we know and hopefully create a catalyst for stronger relationships.

This forum is full of great folks...while there are just a couple of other forums that I check out, and I don't post as much as I think about posting, I appreciate the experience, insight, knowledge, and energy on the Collings' Forum. I'm sure it is connected to the incredible, positive, artistic and passionate energy generated from the people who make Collings Guitars.

If you have read through this novel of a post, you'd better get back to your instrument...Thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts.

Meitaki,

Dale

I've always thought of this forum as a "cut above" the others that have so many members. This is truly an elite group who appreciate fine geetars (Collings, and others). Though we have a variance in our opinions, we're all adult enough to respect everyone here. I have received a great deal of help and information here. I know we'll all keep it friendly and let's spot the troublemakers early and give 'em the heave ho!
Bill

RESOLVE
to be tender with the young
listen to the old
be sympathetic with the striving
and tolerant of the weak and the wrong

sometime in life we have been all of these

peace Paul

Hi All, it took me sometime to figure out what this thread is referring to as well.

This Forum started in May 2002 and we are almost five years old. I don’t think one single member can do any harm to our friendly, open and a respectful culture.

I try not to delete posts unless they contain bad languages or personal attacks. I have so far, only deleted probably less than 5 threads, total. And only banned one member from posting (because every post he/she posted is not guitar related and more or less, meaningless).

I believe the most important element of a good community is respect. People who don't approach the maturity level of the general members here will sooner or later, leave. All they want is attention... and soon they will understand that we have no interest in getting into their trouble.

Deleting posts will only result in anger and more negative posts. Banning is also meaningless as I can’t stop someone from registering as another member if they insist in making trouble. Even if I ban their IP address, they can bad mouth us in other forums.

Our spare time should be spent talking/playing our guitars. This is a place to meet friends and share thoughts/ideas/suggestions. Stay calm, and trust our 5 years of history!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ed,

Essentially, don't feed the attention hungry. Ignore them. Banning them will be like offering up a feast. As Ed said, they'll return under another name. In fact, I'm quite sure this has already happened more than once with members who DID receive a lot of attention.

Ignore. They WILL get bored.