Is PW better yet? Jk....

Well, 3 points to make

I was being honest about why I check in from time to time and yes it is for the occasional amusement or an occasional laugh. There are topics on these forums that can often take an amusing turn. I cannot help but laugh at times that a musical instrument could be the source of so much heated debate. I don't know if that's condescending if I see it that way, but it is what it is...

The reason why I haven't posted in some time is simply because I started a new business and just haven't had the time to post. If I had an agenda, certainly you would think I would have made more than 1 post in over a year? I mean, c'mon dude! My only agenda was to give some advice based on the original poster's question. It was just a suggestion. My concerns with the piano forums section was that the advice on these boards were not always as transparent or balanced as they could be. There is no perfect solution- but my suggestion might be a start. As I stated above, no one wants to remove the ability of an industry professional to post.

You make some really good points otherwise in your comments above. You are correct in that it is wrong to minimize suggestions one considers "undesirable". It is wrong for anyone to be "condescending" in their posts. It is wrong for "non-industry members to insert themselves into threads as self-appointed thought moderators going here, there, and everywhere to label what they don't agree with as irrelevant." That is all really good advice but based on the way you responded to my first post ( and I'm pretty sure many others feel this way as well), I think sometimes you just need to heed your own advice.

The whole idea that the "we" in the title of thread has some major significance is quite silly IMO. Virtually none of the posters saw it that way and there were around fifty posts by many different posters before the comments about the significance Of "we" came along.

It would be interesting if this thread deteriorated into the type of thread that prompted the question to begin with.

Heading that way at light speed.

one more suggestion to improve these forums -- an Ignore button, a common feature on BBS software, which would help improve the Signal to Noise ratio both in terms of personal selection and preemptive elimination of conflict.

update: found it -- it's on the user profile.

A maximum number of postings per week would compel members to consider seriously the content of what they post and when.

Also some online newspaper forums I am on do not allow editing. This also compels the poster to think seriously about the content of a posting.

Say 35-50 postings per week…one could have the choice of posting daily or jettison the entire amount in one day.

I believe this would go a long way to cutting down the bickering and sniping; one would not see a lot of throwaway postings.

I thought of another interesting one that is completely unworkable; dealers would not be permitted to post about what they sell; only what they don’t sell. It would make for some pretty interesting postings.

Well, it won't be because of me. I've been told that 50 odd posts have proven that my idea of collective responsibility (rather than evicting undesirables from the tenement ) is silly, so I'll just sit in a corner.

I do like your idea of a post limit though. Since I've been on a self-imposed reading and posting diet, my physique has improved a lot. Seriously, I agree that it places a premium on organizing one's thoughts prior to blabbering.

I don't know how management would feel about a decline in overall post count though. Quality over quantity is not always an easy sell. It's like those top-level French restaurants where the artistry of presentation can't quite overcome the hunger in the belly.

Bumping up against the "Wall" is exactly what reminds us of where that "Wall" is.

Piano World has a way of working all things out.

At times, I have to introspect thoroughly as I am reading. I think this is where much of my own personal growth is.

If we constrain things any more than they are by the moderators, I think value is lost.

BTW, I think the moderators do a very good job.

I think editing is OK, but there should be a time limit on it. One forum I am on gives you 20 minutes to correct spelling and grammar (and maybe change your mind about that public snarky comment). I kind of like that. There is too much re-writing of history happening here, at times.

This is what I mean. History should not be re-written. A poster makes a posting and if mistaken it is reconciled over time and further postings for all to view.

Like I stated previously this would cut down on a lot of the unnecessary (read snarky) content. It would also force members to think about what the content of the posting actually is.

Putting all snarkynesses aside, I agree with the recurring thread that keeps weaving its way through this thread, Stay On Topic!

Whew, finally got that out.
Thanks.

I think this is way PW editing works right now. At least that has been my experience with editing. I don't know what the present time limit is. It actually seems to vary from post to post.

This ^^

There is no perfect internet forum out there. I think a good enough balance is struck here that keeps the content interesting and varied.

I was glad there was an edit facility when a particular manufacturer demanded that I withdraw all negative comments about one of their products - (I removed all references I ever made about all their products, including substantial positive comments). These comments were older than 20 minutes.

I am very happy I could edit my poor grammar in my above last post.

You can still read my bad grammar in Opera Tenor's quote of me ;-) ....

Nothing ever truly disappears on the web ....

Meh... I edited my last post to actually add additional snarkiness to my content. I thought I was simply being too easy on Turandot.

Now that is funny.

I just went back to posts of mine that are over a month old. I can still edit them.

[Edit:] Maybe I should while I still can?

I'm here to help...

;-)

Jethro,

Make up your mind.

It's truly difficult to believe that you came into this thread to offer constructive comments on the thread topic.

Hmm, back to the topic.

We will improve our content, immensely, by knowing when not to respond. It isn't as self-aggrandizing as leaping to the fray, but it is a lot more effective. A forum where B.S. passes through, rather than being held up at the first check-point as a target for snipers, is a cleaner place. Smells better, too.
If some fool is wrong, the peer community may well point it out, but trying to convince, or to continue looking for capitulation is folly. There are too many out there that seek contention for their own personal needs and they post not for community with the forum, but rather, as a means of creating the rancor and strife in which they feel most comfortable. Knowing when to ignore is a higher form of communication than descending into the mud pit of ignorance with someone that is already there and comfortable in it.

Regards,

I see nothing inconsistent in his statements that require that he make up his mind.

People forget that this whole discussion is missing a very important part, at least as long as real players are involved.

It's not about advice "given" - but "gotton"

Pianist and buyers typically offer advice and opinions which a true professional will respect.

Just read Franz Mohr's book.

As professional one can offer different samples and experiences involving different pianos and their state of preparation.

Widening possible choices for buyers is not the same as "giving an opinion".

2 very different things.

Norbert