I am returning, for this thread only, to see if we can reach a compromise solution on the topic of off-topic (OT) posts on the Arranger Forum.
I am one of the members who believes that we have had too many OT posts here recently. I have taken my complaints directly to Nigel, who responded by telling me that participants here need to "act more grown up". Very well Nigel... this is the thread for us all to grow a little with, and you can start the process by allowing your policies to be more open to constructive criticism.
For a time (IMHO) we've had posters, including but not restricted to, [Names Removed By Nigel] who flooded this forum with OT posts. While they sometimes talked about arrangers, the majority of their posts didn't and they poured OT's into this forum causing a lot of frustration for those who came here specifically to discuss arrangers. Anyone can review their posts to see if they agree or not, and there are probably better examples to choose from - I am not intending to single these individuals out nor start yet another flame war but examples had to be given.
Nigel essentially states there is no problem and he will not take any "police" action to restrict posts here, yet it is clear that members have left this forum because of the OT posts and/or the open hostility that exists here at times, so there is a problem. While I don't think Nigel can do anything about hostility (other than remove offensive posts), I do think some of it stems from the frustration of seeing OT posts flood this forum.
I would like to propose a compromise solution: I would like to see OT posts in the Arranger Forum moved to the General Forum by Nigel for a while to see if it helps restore a little order to the Arranger Forum. It can be done on a trial basis, possibly with some notice left in it's place if/when a topic is moved. This might even help generate more interest in the General Forum. The fact that we have a General Forum should be sufficient reason to restrict the topics of the Arranger Forum to arrangers. I believe that once people realize that OT posts won't stay here (particularly from newbies) that many problems will be solved.
I think The Bar was a good idea but it seems to be more of a place for social OT's (ie: gig mishaps, weddings etc.) rather than non-arranger gear-related OT's that show up in the Arranger Forum (ie: "which is better - Triton or Fantom?").
I don't call this a police action but a "weeding of the garden", allowing the intended purpose/topic of this forum to thrive. Whether or not there is a lot or a litle action in the arranger world currently, I know of no other place where arrangers are the specific topic (other than Yamaha's arrangerworkstation forums) and I would like to see this forum enjoy a little protection from those who would turn it into something else.
Nigel has said to me that
he thinks I'm the only member who feels the OT posts are a problem. A simple question to this forum: is he right?
[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 04-30-2005).]
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Jim Eshleman