Right Davey you wanted my addition so here goes ;)

When I first found out about forums, I hated them, I really did. In fact, the way I think I first got involved in an internet forum was through some bloke slgging off my djing :) It never even crossed my mind to set one up. But one day I had a really serious computer problem and I posted on a great PC help forum and bang, I had six replys and everyone wanting to help me. I felt like such a great part of the community. What a feeling. People wanting to help you when they don't know who you are is magical. So far removed from what I'd felt on music forums.

So I thought how we'd do this on a music forum. And it was by making one simple rule: Respect. (I'd learnt that through Chrissi's family too :) ). So I set up an EZBoard and gave it go. It seemed to work. So much so a bloke from Canada called Sinner helped set up a PHP Board (now one of my best internet buddies!). And obviously the board has grown from there.

Now, 2 years down the line, and so so so many hours spent on this board later, I've realised this. Controlling a music board with one rule is a full time job. It's been an absolute nightmare sometimes. BUT this rule has worked. It's worked to the point that all that elitest crap that infects other music boards is not so big in this place. This the problem on the internet. Grrr....

Anyway, to me, most other music message boards really are only a way of inflating the owners ego and/or to promote the product that the board is about. I'm sorry to say that, it's bold statement, but I'm convinced it's true. I mean club boards really annoy me. Most have NO control or purpose. The reason why this board works is because a) we're all willing to help each other out no matter who we are b) we're all drawn together through a love of one thing: music. and finally (the most important) c) we have the rule that if we don't like each other's music then so what - have a chuckle, a sly dig but jesus christ let's not offer each other outside about it. It's a god damn computer for god's sake.

Now apply that to everyday life down the pub (ie a bunch of mates sat down, helping each other, enjoying a pint and not wanting to fight each other) and what do you have? A community. And that's surely a foundation for something that could, potentially be quite powerful. The key then, is surely to build that community and to make it into something that makes a change or does something useful. Which is, what we're all trying to do musically????? Well, I am anyway, hehehe...

Which brings me to the point of this post. Alot of people really love this board and I think it's time ot take it forward. Theres so many message boards out there now that I can understand ppl getting pissed off with them. Davey, you're saying are message boards worth it? Well I have to say most aren't. But those with a purpose are. I think we have one. A deep love of music and a respect and apppreciation of other people's music.

Davey you mentioned repeated posts and going over things 600 times. God I have this problem on forums. Well I learnt something from alot of the technical forums I visit, which is, you post the link to what you talked about in your post. Perhaps respectfully point out to newbies that there's a search button. I've been reading forum's recently and alot of people slate the hell out of you for not pressing the search feature. This just creates elitism!!! A nice point in the right way is surely the best way to go???!!

Look, the key to this is to avoid elitism. Elitism kills music, removes it from the people and destroys the purpose. It's so easy on a forum, for elistism to shine. Well not on here. I know after all this time, we're all just not going to let it happen. I really do.

TBH the only forum I care about is this one. And thank god it's my own. You want to see the new site I'm working on. More info soon.

Respect to you all for being a part of it ;)

If I wasn't loving Chrissi, I'd shag the lot of you. Hahahahha.

:lol: :lol: