Who Else?

[Swampy]

Anyone else want to step up to the plate with Connie and Mike?

Call me what ever you want to call me. I really don't care. Lay it all out on me right now. If you don't like the way things are run here, pardon the theft of subject matter, it's a free country if you will. No one is making you come here. So why do you come here? I'm speaking to those who don't appear to like this place, the people here, the administrator, or the snapshots that are posted here.

If you don't like it here. Leave. Please. If you all leave in droves, so be it. I know at least 3 or 4 people in a blink of an eye's thought that will remain here and I'll be happy to keep them here as they'll be just as happy to come here.

This forum is really no different than any other, except that most others have matured a bit more than this, have more users and have rude fights which have driven people like yourselves to this very forum.

Guess what. Maybe some of you were driven here because you were banned for the same behavior I've been seeing here lately. Funny. Some of you are publicly or privately complaining about the way posts are deleted or users are being deleted or banned in the same manner as other forums.

If you're complaining about the way things are run here, go find another place. Unless of course you can hold a civil conversation to discuss a change in the way things are run, I'm open to that.

This world, anywhere you go, is not free. Yes. This forum costs YOU. It costs you time to read. It costs you time to post, time to think about what you're posting. It costs you civility. It costs you something just like anything else would.

For those outside the U.S., pardon the discussion on America. It's a free country. Right. How come it costs us money to go to the grocery? How come it costs us money to watch satellite TV? How come it costs us hours in bumper to bumper traffic (for those of us in larger cities). Hey, there's even a law (at least here in California) that gas stations must provide free air and water for customers. Then how come you have to put a quarter in most of them to get them to dispense? Oh wait, you need to take some of your free time and go into the store and get a free token.

I can go on and on. Connie - you're right. I bashed Mike in the head. Why don't you go read everything that happened? Why don't you see some of the PM's Mike has sent? Tell you what, Mike even said he needed a break. Multiple times. Save 1 and lose 20 or save 20 and lose 1? You tell me Connie.

I can't believe how ungrateful people can be in the world. This is the last thing I need to deal with and shouldn't have to deal with.

I appreciate opinions as long as they're civil. I don't appreciate anyone beating up anyone here. Wait, this is America, right? We can go down the street and see someone we don't like and just kick their arse, right? No penalty for that here. No sir. I appreciate people sticking up for others here, but there should be some restraint, which was done very well I think. I applaud users like Gil who handled his hijacked thread with dignity.

It's a free forum, so I should allow anything to happen. Where were all the porn freaks when I set up the hidden Almost Anything Goes - Photo's section? Guess what? They would have been disappointed by some very tasteful images that aren't suitable for children. But I didn't hear anyone complain about censorship there.

So I should allow bashing? I don't think so. Especially on this forum and especially on me. This forum is free because of me. This forum exists because of me. The quality that is in this forum exists because of the users and that quality has gone down hill due to a couple of problem users.

Man, I tell you. Twice in a week I've been told my images are nothing more than amateur snapshots by two different people. One of the comments actually covered every user on this forum. Well, guess what? Most of this forum consists of a bunch of amateurs with a number of professionals who care enough to share their knowledge (hey, for free even). The knowledge that they transfer to us amateurs has enabled many of us to do quite well in this area. Some of us as a hobby, some of us actually trying to break into the business.

Look at Bryan Duckett. Man. He's come a LONG way. His images are certainly not snapshots. Heck, even myself. My so called "snapshots" have been published at least 3 times in 3 major publications and 1 book, all without me soliciting. They came to me. Will I make a living off it? No. So what. I'm an amateur. I'll leave the money making to the professionals. Like Tom, who's "snapshots" have appeared in God know how many publications and advertisements, who I might add, has spent many a late night posting tutorials for everyone here to learn from.

This is simple here. The rules here are just like any other forum. I will protect the users here and naturally, if you attack someone, especially unprovoked, you will be removed.
Please. I ask you if you don't like this place. LEAVE.

[easternherp]

Well Said Bryan.

[Markytp]

Here here!! Now may peace resume and harmony prevail.

[fujifilmnut]

Bryan,

I agree with the above and support you and your hard work for this group.

Jim

[Melody]

I can't believe how ungrateful people can be in the world. This is the last thing I need to deal with and shouldn't have to deal with.



No you shouldn't and I'm sorry that you had to. Many of us are very gratefull for the forum and all your work and effort that provides it for us to enjoy. Thank you :)

Melody

[Igor]

I'd like to second Melody and thank you Bryan for making this great place possible.
You know 99% of us thinks the same.

[xrdbear]

Excellent statement Bryan. This really needed nipping in the bud to avoid the problems in the other place I hang out. I am simply staggered at the speed with which some ppeople move into confrontation mode. Ity's quite beyond me what they get out of it. Thank you for providing this forum, it is greatly appreciated.

[vbu]

As one of the amateur photographers I'm very grateful to have this forum to post to. I may not post many photos but, when I have, I've gotten good constructive criticism.

Bryan, thank you for providing us with this forum and I'm with you 100% on your stand against the few who can't behave civilly.

[Snitzlefritz]

Bryan,

I too want to thank you for the gift of this forum. I visit several times a day though I rarely post. Most of the time I don't think my 2 cents are probably worth posting or I don't want to get into the heat of the battle -- most posts never solve anything and I don't want to add my heat--although I have been tempted to blast someone lately!

But I visit because I get alot out of this forum. I have been a professional for 27 years but I almost always learn something. Your pictures have awed me many times Bryan--obviously I should have spoke up because I often are encouraged to do better in my craft just by looking at some of your pictures.

I'm am very tired of the scorching comments by a very few rude and self-centered people, one of which seems intent on ruining the forum. Yes I catch myself reading the flaming posts (I gawk at fires also) but enough is enough.

I love this forum and its camaraderie and hope we can get back to that.

Conrad

[S_Leeper]

Thanks, for your continued patience & generousity(sp?)... :goldcup:
too often unsaid.

p.s. I really appreciate that you have the hidden forum, as I often let/encourage my young kids & my neighbor's young kids to pursue the photo forums...

[Duck]

Bryan, well said, and thanks for the praise!

I tend to overlook the bickering going on... and when the bickering becomes verbal abuse, someone must draw the line, and Bryan, I don't want to be in your shoes, but I stand behind any action you take. Being a administrator at Nikonians.com a few years ago, I know what you are going through...

My one suggestion... Charge money to be here. I would pay a fee to be a part of this community. It seems like the free forums tend to pull in trouble... I do enjoy the free forums, because it was those forums that helped get me where I am... I am a memeber of one other forum, and I pay the $99 a year fee, and will be paying the $249 yearly fee next year... why, because it is worth it.

Bryan, I don't suggest you charge to be here, but I totally agree when you say, "if you don't like it... Leave!"

Mike: I read all the posts, and the only thing I may add... You do appologize, but you follow it up with more ridicule and curelty. Appologize, and leave it at that.

Connie: All I can say is that was wrong...

I think Mike is doing the right thing by backing away from the forum... but then again, he returns to fuel the fire... Mike, take a break and return when you are ready to become a contributing member...

Connie, you might need to take a break as well...

Come on... don't make Bryan the baby sitter.

This site doesn't run by itself, and Bryan puts a lot of time and money to keep this site running... and he hasn't asked a penny from any one of us... and for those ungreatful SOB's... well, I will stop there! Gheeezzz, everyone, stop the madness!!!!

Have a great day!

[proberts]

Anyone else want to step up to the plate with Connie and Mike?

Call me what ever you want to call me. I really don't care. Lay it all out on


Ok, I think I'll call you.....


Friend.


For those outside the U.S., pardon the discussion on America. It's a free country. Right. How come it costs us money to go to the grocery? How


It's free as in speech, not free as in beer.

Personally, I think one yellow card is appropriate- but if it's not done publicly, then nobody knows what's going on, or what's not acceptable.

After the yellow card though, it's time for a red one, and it's off the pitch.

Paul

[proberts]

My one suggestion... Charge money to be here. I would pay a fee to be a part of this community. It seems like the free forums tend to pull in trouble... I do enjoy the free forums, because it was those forums that helped get me where I am... I am a memeber of one other forum, and I pay the $99 a year fee, and will be paying the $249 yearly fee next year... why, because it is worth it.



While I'd happily pay money to be here, I don't think it helps any, and may make it more complicated when it gets to the "so and so said" and I paid to be here...

Paul

[Sleeping Bear]

Thanks for providing the forum, Swampy. Thanks for taking action when it is needed.

[Serge]

I think you have been very generous and fair Bryan, I want to add my support to the other members here who appreciate this Forum. Lets continue.

[Duck]

While I'd happily pay money to be here, I don't think it helps any, and may make it more complicated when it gets to the "so and so said" and I paid to be here...

Paul

Paul, you are correct... there are issues on the paying sites as well, and just as imature'ish.

[BadpicKev]

i thought we had to be adults here. miss a few days and wham, drama. and about those snapshots swamp, at least you get comments, mine are so bad i dont even rate that.

someone needs to switch to decaf.

[Auminer]

Thanks for laying it out Swampy! :righton: You know we love ya even if you do shoot the big "C" :lol: :cheers:

Dave

[NRA]

Thank God for Swampy, you have restored my faith in human nature, and in the nick of time.

I was about to remove the site from my Favourites List, but will continue reading here (sorry I dont post much) and look forward to the future.

Nigel.

[JPS]

Just a few words...

Bryan, the board IS YOURS, and it looks as though we need a "policeman" to oblige people to respect the simplest rules of life, so whatever you do will be OK for me !

I just don't understand why adults of more than 40 (or is it 50 ?) years old, that i considered as highly respectable and who gave me many times good advices on my shooting or post-process techniques, suddenly start acting like children...

What's happening to us ? In any case, i will NEVER MORE enter into a thread that's turning into a fight !

Sadly yours,

Jean-Pierre

[photoworks]

I'll add to JPS mention, lets keep this forum the friendliest in the web.
Swampy thanks for your great efforts :cheers: :goldcup:

Billy

[HairyHaggis]

Speaking as one of the very amateurs on the forum, I would like to say that I missed all the arguments etc, and I am glad I did as it sounds quite severe and silly. Now, I came here as it was free, and after reading the posts for a few weeks felt that the friendliness of the people, and the comments regarding the images posted were what I was looking for. I was tired of being told stuff was crap and no reason supplied why to better them, I was tired of all the professionals telling me to burn the camera and bury it .... here, I feel as if its truth, and constructive truth. Everyone has to start somewhere so why not in a free forum supplied by a generous individual who takes the time to upgrade equipment, share stories, road trips,and even police the fools who just troll through boards causing havoc and mayhem then sitting abck watching it all unfold around them. This is a multinational forum, lets keep it like that too.

Do as Bryan says, and LEAVE if you dont want to be here, otherwise, buck up and share the images which we are all so passionate about, whether we are amateur or professional. Even professionals are amateurs at some point in their career.

My 2p worth (at todays exchange rate I dont even kow what it is)

[lightwrangler]

I'd like to add my support for you too Bryan. The forum is a clearly a lot of work - thank you very much. I wish we didn't need policing but as we sometimes do, I for one am glad that it is you.

As far as pro verses non pro goes; I learn a lot from everyone, regardless of experience and professional status. Being a pro doesn't necessarily mean that you make the best pictures. I get a big kick out of seeing the progression and growth in people's work. Also, many amateurs make beautiful photos and have great insights into techniques and equipment. Pros are sometimes more limited with their equipment because this is what puts the bread on the table and has to be a carefully considered business expense. Pros are also more prone to specialization and therefore may not have the experience in certain areas that amateurs have.

If I can help with a question or two, I do. If a critique is requested and I have one to offer, I make it. I will try to remember that some people deserve no reply, no matter what they say and that some comments are either better left unsaid or sent privately. Like so many others, I am a work in progress, so bear with me, I will attempt to improve.

Sometimes it appears that I am not too active. I read the forum almost everyday, but sometimes work keeps me from being too involved. People can always PM me if they want something. I am not hiding! BTW, I am currently investigating Canon equipment as I feel a change may be in order. It's gonna cost me dearly if I go that route, but it may just happen, we'll see.

So keep up keeping up Swampy. Here's looking at ya!
:cheers:

[Wolfspirit]

Hi.. I don't write or post much but I do read daily. You are doing a great job and I am sorry you have to be the policeman. We are all very lucky to have such good people to talk to from all over. Please keep up the work and take action when it is unfortunately needed, I really don't know when you sleep :) Just my two cents.. Warren

[big_ben_blue]

Many great heroic words by everyone - now for how long will it last until the next catfight breaks out; how long until we have forgotten all these good intentions (and I suppose that everyone here is really serious about it)? Remember, not too long ago we had the fight about New York city and 9-11, before that was the fight whether religion is right or wrong, and who can still recall the butterfly picture and the cute little kitty taking a nap?
Do we still be curteous to each other in a month's time from now when somebodys opinion irks me or you? It's easy to type a couple of nasty retaliating paragraphs in anger while hiding behind the anonymiosity of the online world and that "submit reply" button is only one mouse click away. Some of the recently made comments would have resulted in a lot of black eyes and missing front teeths in the real world, but then again, I highly doubt that most of the hurled insults would then have been made in the first place.

Do we, or maybe better ARE WE ABLE to respect one another, even if not agreeing his or her opinion? It's easier said than done - cuz none of us is a saint. Just keep that as a reminder.

Oh, and for the professionals vs. the mere amateurs - the ONLY difference is that the pro is supposed to get paid for clicking the shutter button, while the amateur does it for the fun of it :)

Cheers to every cohabitant of this still very nice forum,
Chris

[Andre]

Man oh man....what did I miss? I don't log in for a few weeks, and it sounds like something major going on here.

I'll have a look around and see what I missed (or maybe I shouldn't).

This is not the place I left by the sound of it.

Bryan: You have been running this board well. I don't know what happened here that you're referring to, but I'm sure it is a momentary lapse on the part of those involved. This is the one place I know I can come to communicate with civillized people that share a hobby.

I have benefited greatly from being here, and I hope the place doesn't change! (I think even my pictures have improved over the months and years hanging out here).

How about I'll turn around and look away, and when I come back, everyone is getting along again? :-)

Peace!

[ChazR]

I've missed most of this. Saw the Hula Mike resignation. This is a wonderful site. Thanks to you, Bryan...If not for your efforts, we wouldn't have a "home base" to come to.

Do what you have to do.

[petej]

I have always looked on this forum as my “Home” , A small friendly place were people with an interest in Photography can view/post/discuss all things in imaging,

Yea sure I will visit others forums from time to time but I always feel like an outsider but not here.

I can only join the long list of users here that are showing there gratitude to Bryan who runs this place for most of us to enjoy, If you are one of the few that don’t enjoy there time here then why are you here?

Again Thank You Bryan :cheers: for all the time and effort you put into this forum to ensure most of us regard this place as great place to spend some time.

[Wilm]

Bryan,
I can't read any posts here, but after one week of vacation I have to say that I have missed you all !!!

Shawn has started this forum and you have taken it over !!! Thanks for that !

The forum is running perfectly - thanks again !!!

There were some issues with Mike. Don't mind him ! His problems are more significant than any memory-problem with a PC.

Could you remember my question when the S2pro.com was temporarlily a swampbbs.com/forums ? Did you ? I do !!!

I have received help from here and I was more than happy to give help when we did our "hidden" thread with JPS. We did it also for Thanh, we did it for Mark. I am pretty shure we will do for everybody who is a known member.

You are the policeman of the best photographic forums in the world ! Be proud and don't worry.

I think I will speak with most of the words of all:

THANK'S FOR YOUR WORK !

:cheers:
Wilm

[jesd]

Yep! THANK'S FOR YOUR WORK Bryan!!!!!! You are doing a GOOD job!!!

Jes

[Rockyw]

First of all, Thanks Swampy for this forum. I start most mornings here with a cup of coffee and its a time to relaxe and read a few ideas and look at others work. Second, like duck I tend to overlook any of the things that started all this. But then I do have 6 kids so Im programed to overlook childish behavior when its just not worth worrying about. Thats for all your work Swampy and its great being a part of this forum. I hope I have contributed something from time to time that helps because I have gotten a lot from this forum in the past years. Thanks ALL :cheers: