About this forum

[S. Cane]

So, as promised, I took a few minutes to finally write a proper post here.

My life changed quite a lot, and very abruptly. As most of you know, I am a lawyer, having been solely a private attorney at law for more than 20 years until months ago, when I was appointed as a legal consultant at the State Government Accountability Court. That meant moving to the state capital and working a hell of a lot more than I was used to. Having to drive about 85 miles every weekend to be with my family plus my daughter's health issues haven't made it any easier.

I was in the process of writing my own songs, learning about music production and playing guitar all the time, but now I am rarely touching an instrument at all, which led me to focus away from most forums and musical environments for the time being... not without great sadness as music is maybe the greatest joy I have in life.

Also, after a few events in my personal life that led me to a state of doubt and uneasiness regarding religion, I meditated and read tons of philosophy and theology (St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas and all that... It was good to polish my Latin, too), I made peace with myself and re-embraced the Catholic Church in which I was raised. Affiliated myself to a Benedictine monastery as an oblate, which also involves some time off the six-string. I keep a guitar in the apartment I rented and travel with at least a Ukulele, but only to noodle around. No time for songwriting or woodshedding lately.

Anyway, like I said, music is something I just can't live without, and I don't mean just listening and playing music; the music-centered environments and friendships as well.

I was sorry to read that Roger passed away and Willie left the forum. Both were very dear friends I made here. Roger hadn't been very talkative since he lost his wife, and Willie often feels unwelcome due to political and personal feelings that are personal and deserve our respect. I would like it if he reconsidered his decision, though.

As for all the rest, well. Active or not, I don't intend to stop participating here. I like many of you guys as true friends, and admire others who aren't so close to me.

As long as the forum stands, I'll be around as one of the "Dumbasses". I love it here way too much to leave.

As always, please excuse my bad and rusty English.

[OldStrummer]

"Rusty English???" That's some of the finest, well-written English I've read in a while. Welcome back, S!

[Laker]

Kudos to you Mr. cane for your dedication to our forum. Happy to say you’re a friend and I always look forward to your participation.

[Tele-Bob]

Could all this be as simple as allowing the posting of photos, hitting a "like" button, and perhaps a few added features that bring this forum a little more up to date?
The whole layout is quite antiquated, and while it doesn't really bother me, there is a whole world out there competing for attention on more convenient platforms.
At least from where I'm sitting, this site needs new members and a functional update to be at least on par with other forums.
I may be wrong about this but it's a feeling I just can't shake.
My thanks to those who keep it running and do the daily business.
What happens here is in your hands.

[S. Cane]

Could all this be as simple as allowing the posting of photos, hitting a "like" button, and perhaps a few added features that bring this forum a little more up to date? The whole layout is quite antiquated, and while it doesn't really bother me, there is a whole world out there competing for attention on more convenient platforms. At least from where I'm sitting, this site needs new members and a functional update to be at least on par with other forums. I may be wrong about this but it's a feeling I just can't shake. My thanks to those who keep it running and do the daily business. What happens here is in your hands.

I'm not sure but the Les Paul Forum seems to be in a slightly more modern platform. Perhaps we could have that here too?

[OldStrummer]

Could all this be as simple as allowing the posting of photos, hitting a "like" button, and perhaps a few added features that bring this forum a little more up to date?
The whole layout is quite antiquated, and while it doesn't really bother me, there is a whole world out there competing for attention on more convenient platforms.
At least from where I'm sitting, this site needs new members and a functional update to be at least on par with other forums.
I may be wrong about this but it's a feeling I just can't shake.
My thanks to those who keep it running and do the daily business.
What happens here is in your hands.

I'm not the owner, nor am I an admin or moderator here, but I do run a web site, so I can respond to the request for posting photos: The site already allows this.

However, it does not provide for the UPLOADING of photos. That would require local server storage and can get expensive. The solution (and I've posted a how-to; look under the TFF Front Desk for the sticky) is to use a third-party image hosting site and then use the linking ability. If you are using what I believe is the "standard" interface, there is a button (second row, fourth grouping from the left, third button from the left) that allows photo posting.

The rest I agree, is somewhat antiquated. The "smiley" emojis don't reflect common emojis in use today, there is no "like" button, and the site doesn't support Unicode characters (which surprised me, because it used to). Let's not forget that TFF was about to be shut down and users were advised to move to TLPF, which set up a separate Fender area. Then, the owners decided to keep it online. But there isn't money being thrown at it, I suspect Cogs is the only admin (likely unpaid) and software upgrades are few and far between. There are costs to running a web site, too. Security certificates, domain registrations, hardware upgrades and replacement, and more, so it's not a self-licking ice cream cone. No membership fees and no advertisements mean this site is running under the good will and dedication of the owner(s).

So yes, what's really lacking is regular visitors. Lately, I've seen a number of hit-and-run posters asking for help with a specific question or problem, and then never to see them again. That doesn't make for motivation to upgrade the site. I think it's up to us, and word-of-mouth recommendations to build the site.

[Offshore Angler]

Here's how I see it:

This forum has very little to do with music and guitar playing lately, so there is no reason for any enthusiast to come here and join. Looking at the threads, it's become more of a personal blog for a couple of people who want to tell me they went to church on Sunday and then all the issues they have in life. That, or they feel the need to make this a musical obituary site.

Not exactly something that's going to recruit new people or even retain the veterans.

I personally know and have shared my home or theirs with people who are, or have been members of this forum. I can tell you unequivocally that some of them have faced ENORMOUS life challenges but didn't feel the need to broadcast them here. But for whatever reason some people are compelled to distribute the minutiae of their personal lives here on a weekly basis - but yet contribute nothing about guitars or guitar playing.

Don't believe it? look over the sections of the forum. Other than the RIP and the Sunday threads this place is pretty much non-existent.

It's neither good or bad - it is what it is. Maybe the forum will go out with a wimper, maybe it will evolve into the next big thing. Whatever. For the next 4 or 5 billion years the earth will still be here, so no big deal.

Chuck

[Tele-Bob]

I hear you on all counts. And having run my own websites in the past, realize the expenses.

People coming here for the first time make a decision, based on their experience, whether to come back or not. They're not.

It appears a decision has been made to keep things the way they are. That's fine. No judgement. It's not mine to judge.

We'll see what happens.

[OldStrummer]

Here's how I see it:

This forum has very little to do with music and guitar playing lately, so there is no reason for any enthusiast to come here and join. Looking at the threads, it's become more of a personal blog for a couple of people who want to tell me they went to church on Sunday and then all the issues they have in life. That, or they feel the need to make this a musical obituary site.

Not exactly something that's going to recruit new people or even retain the veterans.

I personally know and have shared my home or theirs with people who are, or have been members of this forum. I can tell you unequivocally that some of them have faced ENORMOUS life challenges but didn't feel the need to broadcast them here. But for whatever reason some people are compelled to distribute the minutiae of their personal lives here on a weekly basis - but yet contribute nothing about guitars or guitar playing.

Don't believe it? look over the sections of the forum. Other than the RIP and the Sunday threads this place is pretty much non-existent.

It's neither good or bad - it is what it is. Maybe the forum will go out with a wimper, maybe it will evolve into the next big thing. Whatever. For the next 4 or 5 billion years the earth will still be here, so no big deal.

Chuck

A timely post, OA. Watch for a new posting from me in the "On the Road Again" forum. I'm prompted to post based on last night's folk club show. Right now, I'm running some errands before the deluge they're promising hits.

[blackonblack]

Here's how I see it:

This forum has very little to do with music and guitar playing lately, so there is no reason for any enthusiast to come here and join. Looking at the threads, it's become more of a personal blog for a couple of people who want to tell me they went to church on Sunday and then all the issues they have in life. That, or they feel the need to make this a musical obituary site.

Not exactly something that's going to recruit new people or even retain the veterans.

I personally know and have shared my home or theirs with people who are, or have been members of this forum. I can tell you unequivocally that some of them have faced ENORMOUS life challenges but didn't feel the need to broadcast them here. But for whatever reason some people are compelled to distribute the minutiae of their personal lives here on a weekly basis - but yet contribute nothing about guitars or guitar playing.

Don't believe it? look over the sections of the forum. Other than the RIP and the Sunday threads this place is pretty much non-existent.

It's neither good or bad - it is what it is. Maybe the forum will go out with a wimper, maybe it will evolve into the next big thing. Whatever. For the next 4 or 5 billion years the earth will still be here, so no big deal.

Chuck

I would have to agree with you. I suggest its becoming more of musicians being pals. Discussing music and how it interacts in their life. I know how that's how it seems to me, so I follow along. If you want more instrument, playing, and live gigs, I can do that. That just wasn't the feel when I started coming here again when I came back.

I have a few posts I'll put up regarding this week.