Well after over five years here at the Zone I've decided to move on. Things here aren't what they used to be. The climate here has changed considerably.

This forum used to be a place where we could share all our ideas and opinions about our keyboards, gigs, and just life in general. Sadly it's not the same forum.

Posting a honest reply to another member shouldn't result in negativity from other forum members. We should be free to voice our opinions without being bombarded with 3rd grade retaliation techniques, and the old "mine's bigger than yours attitude", and the truly sad "let's see you do it better mentality".

I strongly feel that there is a bias on this forum towards Yamaha keyboards. I'm not the only one either. Even though it's the "General Arranger Keyboard Forum". Negative remarks towards Yamaha's (even when they're true) result in childish behavior from other members either in a direct post or private emial.

I won't even get started on the emails I've had sent to me from other members just becaused I said something negative about Yamaha arrangers. All I have to say about that is too all who think their Yamaha is "it and the only one" need to come off their high horses and understand that Yamaha is not the only keyboard out there.

I've said it in a recent post and I'll say it again (just cleaner) If you got the guts to post a composition for criticism here on the Zone, then you better have the guts to take that criticism both negative and positive. Sugarcoating your opinions doesn't help anyone.

Thanks to all the members here who have been helpful to me over the past 5+ years. For that I'm thankful. I've talked to some very interesting people over that time through the Zone and outside of it as well. Good luck to you all in your plans for the future with your music. I hope all goes well for you.

At this point I just prefer to check in every so often and read posts. I no longer have the desire to participate in any discussions or offer opinions (even when asked) about any user compositions or anything else.

I came to this forum as a Synth Junkie just getting into arrangers. Sadly the same jerks are on both sides. For all those synth junkies who think the synths are the world and the arrangers are the dirt beneath their feet, I've learned from this forum there are just as many arranger players who feel just the same--only on the oposite side.

Bottom line is it doesn't matter what you are "synth junkie", "arranger junkie", making music is the same on both sides. We just all do it in different ways.

Also thank you Nigel for providing a place for us players to meet from all corners of the world.

Forever and a day, and Peace Out!
Squeak