I have noticed that some of our regulars have not been posting much and some not at all because of the current situation. I do not want to see this group split up. This group is like a second family to me and I know others feel connected the same way. That being said, I hope that we can continue to stick together. It would be nice if there was an ignore button on this board like there is on the sax on the net forum. I like that feature. I would hate to have to use it, but in some cases, it would become a necessity.

I was very saddened to see Bilbo put down in such a way and I do hope that he continues posting.

So come on guys!!! Lets chat and have some fun

Looks like our Bilbo is still with us. Yeah!

Thanks Kara,

I'm still here. Not much to talk about around here as far as I'm concerned. I would like to say a general thanks to the regular old timers around here. We have a fine bunch of flutistic afficionados around here.

I will say...I have not been on the forum long and have been very disappointed lately. I have even tried to post some general chat things to bring back nicer discussion. Now everytime I get on, I just roll my eyes and leave. I wanted a place to go to talk with other pros/teachers/amatures...etc...whatever you want to call us. Hopefully it will get a little more normal soon. I would love some good, educational discussioin about various flute things without a million different recent posts on the exact same topic.

This situation is rather annoying, and for the most part I'm trying not to interact.

I keep asking the same question....WHY. WHAT is the MOTIVATION? (Okay, enough with the weird capitalization (screaming) of words.)

It would be nice if a few simple "netiquette" rules were followed:

1. WHEN YOU USE ALL CAPS FOR EVERY WORD, it is like yelling. In addition, if you use it for several words in a sentence or post, it makes for a very strange cadence in the rhythm of the sentence.
2. Please keep follow-up responses within the same thread. Do not start a new thread to respond. This is why they are called threads. Starting a new thread is hugely rude when responding.
3. Be very careful about the private messaging component. Nobody wants to feel like they are being stalked or attacked. If a question is asked within a thread, 99% of the time it is most appropriate to answer within the thread. Very few times would it be necessary to private message someone.
Example: It I want to ask Patrick a specific question about his summer workshop, it would be appropriate to private message him. However, if I wanted to respond to his remark about cheese that he posted in a thread, I would reply within the thread.
(Note: At the bottom of the page, after the last post, you will see the "reply" button, that will allow you to make the next post on that thread.)

Learning is a wonderful process. I have learned much on this forum. I also hope that from time to time I have offered a bit of wisdom to others.
It may be best for you (Jim/Jean) to back off and put yourself into the learning mode. Learn the appropriate interaction skills for the forum. Usually people pick up on the subtle hints that people communicate to others to help them "get it". Unfortunately, it becomes very uncomfortable and downright annoying to have to become so blunt because you just have not taken the hints and guidance.

My profession is communication. I work with people who have communication difficulties. Many of my students have a condition called Asperger's Syndrome.
A prime problem with these student's is their inability to "get it" in a communication interaction. You remind me of my students.

Wise, simple and effective netiquette rules.
You are indeed a good professional on human communication.

I would add another rule:

4. Always use polite and friendly language.

As for netiquette, several forums have a good set of them (for example, J.Galloway list). Some enforce them quite strongly and may come close to wide censorship.

When they are voluntary (i.e with soft or no moderation enforced, as is IMO the case here), they are used more sparingly and are more the personal approach of each member than a general rule.
But in compensation, the degree of freedom of thought is greater and we do not feel we have "Big Brother" checking and approving -or not- each of our words here.

As usual, the extremes are both undesirable.

Your comments on the Asperger syndrome sent me rushing to learn about the AS. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome).

The fact that it is included in the DSM-IV but and is now considered more a difference rather than a disability is quite interesting.

Thank you for introducing this concept.

Kara and all, I hope sincerely that it`s just a phase.

Zevang

I think it is best to ignore bad apples that try to upset our friendly little group

Asperger's is a lot more prevalent than previously thought.

It is relatively easy for me to diagnose when I am with a student (actually, it is a medical diagnosis so I refer to a medical doctor when I see all of the symptoms). However, when the situation is as here (over the internet), I'm not sure if it is actually an attitudinal issue more than anything else!
I have significantly less tolerance for attitude issues!

<Added>

Also, I agree with Patrick that ignoring the bad apple is the best approach.
Jose_luis, I also prefer the less moderated forum that we have here. I like the interactions that we all get into, and I usually really enjoy all of our differences. At first, I even enjoyed Mr. JM because of how different he was, the problem came when he stepped over the line time after time. Perhaps time (and this thread) will be a learning experience for him/her.

I'm familiar with Asperger's and would just like to clarify that those with the condition do not all behave as JM has chosen to conduct himself. I'm sure some do (just as some people without Asperger's are more or less troubled than others), but to the board in general, please understand that JM's behavior is not representative of all people with this condition (or any other).

hmmmm.....are we saying that someone on this forum has ODD traits? snort!? snort!?

I would like to clarify that my comment and interest on the Asperger syndrome (AS) was made only because I am very curious and usually I try to find more information about something that is mentioned here, but I do not know about.

I was moved to post my comment because the apparent relationship between ASD and high-functioning autism, a disorder that could be present in cases of highly successful people (in some specialized areas as mathematics, for example) was so much interesting.

But it was not related in any sense to the behaviour of any member of the Forum. In my opinion, it would be something completely inadequate to try to diagnose anybody of anything in the public forum.

I believe now that my comment was a bad idea; I wish I could erase it but as you know, this is not possible.

I apologize for this unwanted mistake and I hope the thread will not continue to develop in this direction.

Jose_Luis
Comments may not always be taken in the spirit intended but I would like ANYONE to rest assured that you are one of the kindest and most considerate people that has graced this forum.

Thank you Bilbo, but a mistake is a mistake and more in this difficult situation, when I and all must be very careful with what we are posting.

I felt that I had to apologize and also to suggest that we should better leave the subject, at least for a while.

I agree Jose_Luis,
It does not serve the best interests of the forum and to the advancement of flute playing to dwell on this situation.