Hey, I read that! :) And "dissertation" has two s's, by the way. ;)

I'm very sorry to hear Jackhammer left...hopefully not for good...though I agree with Urban that people will come and go as suits them, and this doesn't mean the site is diminished as a whole. I continue to meet new members each month with whom I enjoy interacting and whom a genuinely like, even as I miss some of the members who never return. (AwwSugar, you better not leave!!!)

This is my viewpoint exactly, Big3. I have only skimmed the surface of the music information and opinions on MB, and so can't imagine ever running out of new music to listen to or think about here.

I agree that cruelty toward others based on their preferences or because of their attempts to contribute to MB is something I wish MB would discourage even more than it does.

During the last 8 months, there have been several cases where new or older members end up discussing their musical questions or lyrics with me in PMs partly because, I think, they feared their contributions would not receive helpful information or constructive feedback on the Boards.

In one situation, the person was a young musician whose music was a delight for me to listen to and discuss with him by PM after his thread got closed when a mod felt it was pure self-promotion. So, I felt sorry for MB because here was someone who had a great love of music and yet was not welcomed as openly as he might have been.

In another situation, someone who asked a legitimate question on the Boards, but was pounced on and accused of being The Unfan, ended up discussing music with me back and forth in PMs. That was one of the best music discussions I've had here...I learned about "counterpoint" and compared and contrasted modern and classical songs by following up his questions.

Similarly, several people who write lyrics have sent me the songs they are working on in PMs for feedback (which, if you are familiar with me on MB, you'll know I love to give!)..and I think it is sad that perhaps the Boards don't make them feel welcome to share their ideas in public, since that is what MB is for (I feel).

I agree with your first paragraph very much, duga. As for the second, I feel that saying negative things is fine, but saying them in ways that aren't insulting is important.

One of the things I like best about MB is that the mods let people pretty much express what they really feel in the way they want to. Free speech (even with limitations) is rare in the world, and it is nice to find a place where you can just be who you are, or let different sides of yourself show.

The negative side of free speech is that fear of being pounced on harshly can make it harder for some people to feel like opening up about their feelings about music, which is often very personal to people. I don't think people are pounced on often here, but it does happen occasionally.

That would be cool, right-track! :)

I certainly feel your opinion counts just as much as anyone else's, Phoenix!

Your post shows, noise, how hopefully MB can provide something for everyone: banter for people who don't like verbose reviews; verbose reviews (my favorite!) for people who like them; casual interactions for those who don't wish to make friends; friendships and a feeling of connection for those who came here open to that (such as myself).

Though I joined MB for the music and I stay for the music, the connections I've made with some people here are what really make me want to return with semi-addicted frequency. I feel anything that helps people feel part of a friendly community would help MB become even stronger.

This concludes my dissertation on improving message boards.

I feel like that sometimes, when I get writers block I think maybe I really didn't have much to say after all. Sometimes thinking 'who cares about the bands I like,' gives me writers block. Though I don't think could ever say it all about what I know about music. I always tell myslef they is so much music out there that no one could know it all, if they say they do then their lying.

It doesn't matter how long you've been at MB or your post count, all that matters is posting highly well polished material in your posts. So quit worrying about being "newbie" or an invalid, you'll get better.

I can: Fal, ToeAndNo, Veridical Fiction, and CoreyAllen2, have all left. And I seen a lot of new members who gave up the fight and thrown in the towel after a few posts.
I go back and read the old threads (not to sound corny or sentimental or anything) but the one guy I miss is SleepyJack.

is this a serious comment?

Fal hasn't made a substantial contribution to the music forums.
ToeAndNo changed his name to Akira and took a leave of absence.
Veridical Fiction changed his name to Freebase Dali, he's still very much active.
coryallen2 pissed off every member of this forum until we couldn't take it anymore and put him down as a courtesy to the other members. Something you might want to consider not emulating from time to time.

I agree, a lot of times I would like to talk about music with as much specificity as I can here. Sadly, not many are able to do that...but most people here can so this is my outlet. I have a feeling I would get on quite well with many of you if we were to meet in person.

Neapolitan never pisses me off, lucifer_sam, so if there ever comes a time when you want to "put him down," please do not include me in your "we." It sounds to me like you may be implying that such a thing might happen to Neapolitan, and I would fiercely oppose this action.

Also, I hope people being pissed off by a member isn't a main reason anyone would be "put down." Even if someone *did* piss me off due to his or her attitudes or behaviors that I perceive as unhelpful to MB (though not violating the rules), I would still not want that member to be banned.

I don't have the expectation that everyone will "get along" in any community. They certainly don't in real communities, so I see no reason why an online community wouldn't or shouldn't be the same (except that too many spats distract from music discussion and might make the administration fear loss of members and revenue).

Plus, the hope that people who don't get along will learn to do so creates an exciting potential. Look at me and The Unfan! It's a beautiful, real-life story, really: we moved past our differences and found our commonalities...and I continue to have respectful interactions with him. Maybe, someday, even you and *I* might get along, lucifer_sam! :p:

I tend to get into the details myself, Duga, and I'm glad you've found similar minds here. As for MB members meeting in person, I'm always happy when I hear of it happening, which it does. I feel it shows the community is working when people actually make *real* friendships here that become part of their non-computer lives.

Sadly my dear you are very, very wrong. Urban actually polled the members to see what would be done with coryallen2, it wasn't unanimous but it was most definitely decisive. Whether or not you agree isn't relevant to me.

And everybody needs a thorn in their side to work well together, without you where would I turn to abuse radical veganism? :)

I rather like having a "nemesis," so maybe this works out well for both of us. :)

Although it is hard to think of anyone who calls me "my dear" as a nemesis, I will try, for your sake, to be a good thorn.

The number one problem with this site, more than anything else, is that there is no function to "like" posts, a la facebook.

Messages boards go downhill when the Radiohead thread stays on the first page of the Indie/Alt section for years...which turns everyone into Radiohead fanbois and it's a slow and barely noticeable process. Soon everyone has "Ok Computer" in their lastfm library and everyone wants to get on Thom Yorke's meat stick. The only way to notice this is, 1) your top artist is Radiohead and, 2) you want Thom Yorke's ****.