Absent Friends & Missing Persons

[french frank]

....use CALGON 3 in 1 tablets lol

I might also suggest that you organise a poll to see if the silent majority wishes to remain with the forum as it is, with the small benefits that it has provided, at no cost, and with no responsibilities, and with all its shortcomings; or hand over to the swashbuckling mutineers to carry out a necessarily expensive refit (for which they will probably have to foot the bill) but then have the freedom to post whatever they like, all animals being equal …

[french frank]

Sorry to go off current topics, but whatever happened to Mary Chambers, our Britten enthusiast?

She last looked in April but hadn't posted for over a year. I believe she was more active on r3ok than here.

[Barbirollians]

Sorry I presumed you had returned as the last time I saw a post from you it was described as being by a guest .

[teamsaint]

I might also suggest that you organise a poll to see if the silent majority wishes to remain with the forum as it is, with the small benefits that it has provided, at no cost, and with no responsibilities, and with all its shortcomings; or hand over to the swashbuckling mutineers to carry out a necessarily expensive refit (for which they will probably have to foot the bill) but then have the freedom to post whatever they like, all animals being equal …

IMHO, it is great as it is. Social media can be an unforgiving place, so you have to self censor within the understood bounds of the place, or risk “ censorship”.
There isn’t some great rights issue at stake here.

[LMcD]

I might also suggest that you organise a poll to see if the silent majority wishes to remain with the forum as it is, with the small benefits that it has provided, at no cost, and with no responsibilities, and with all its shortcomings; or hand over to the swashbuckling mutineers to carry out a necessarily expensive refit (for which they will probably have to foot the bill) but then have the freedom to post whatever they like, all animals being equal …

'Small benefits' - surely you jest! I've benefited enormously, as have many others, I suspect, and hope to continue to do so. I'm very grateful to have learned (learnt?) so much and to have had the chance to follow up so many rewarding suggestions and links from other members.
(This is a genuine verified comment from a genuine satisfied Forumista) (Honest) )

[Flay]

She last looked in April but hadn't posted for over a year. I believe she was more active on r3ok than here.

Isn't r3ok now defunct?

[Cockney Sparrow]

From my other forum membership, observing the gruesome tales of maintaining the server facility and other IT aspects, we do indeed need to be very grateful to - I think - Andrew. In giving up time, presumably unpaid doing it. As do moderators and hosts. It's fairly apparent that being a moderator isn't a bundle of joy and must give rise to thoughts whether it's worth it. I go along with calls to tone the indignant responses down.
I tried to find the other forum mentioned and it seems to be defunct? Not surprised.

If the removal of posts was seen as unreasonable, could it not just be discussed without going immediately to statements its a resignation issue?

[Serial_Apologist]

From my other forum membership, observing the gruesome tales of maintaining the server facility and other IT aspects, we do indeed need to be very grateful to - I think - Andrew. In giving up time, presumably unpaid doing it. As do moderators and hosts. It's fairly apparent that being a moderator isn't a bundle of joy and must give rise to thoughts whether it's worth it. I go along with calls to tone the indignant responses down.
I tried to find the other forum mentioned and it seems to be defunct? Not surprised.

If the removal of posts was seen as unreasonable, could it not just be discussed without going immediately to statements its a resignation issue?

I must say I have to agree. Fortunately, I have only managed to upset a few people in the long time I've been on the forum, notwithstanding the uncompromising character of much of what I post - even that with smileys to counter appended. The fact that it was always for reasons which were beyond me suggests I would not have either the patience nor the diplomacy skills needed to be a moderator or host.

[Serial_Apologist]

Isn't r3ok now defunct?

http://www.for3.org/index.php

[oddoneout]

In any community people will fall out from time to time, and there will be disagreements about management both of such issues and in general. Unpopular decisions will be made, folks will leave and/or be disciplined as a result, and I have seen such things in my time here. However for me the forum is a good thing, I am content to see it continue in its current form, and I am very grateful to those generous folk who give their time and effort to enable it to continue.
I would dearly love to be able to participate in the online section of the local paper but it is a horrid place due to the dominance of a few aggressive, ignorant and intolerant individuals who seem to be allowed to operate in such a destructive fashion, even on really quite uncontroversial topics. It's a relief to come here and see often quite difficult matters being aired, for the most part without major ructions, and also have the benefit of so many people's knowledge and experience on such a wide range of subjects. Whether I would be such a 'frequent flyer' if it was solely limited to music and R3 I rather doubt, so apologies to those who would prefer that to be the remit.

[french frank]

Sorry I presumed you had returned as the last time I saw a post from you it was described as being by a guest .

Stroke of the pen. I just post as an administrator now. Too old for the cut and thrust.

Elsewhere, yes r3ok is defunct. My own feeling is that what has kept this forum afloat has been Radio 3. As long as it has listeners, we can get new members to replace those who depart. But a board that had become just a social chat place, centred round classical music, is a bit harder for new members to crack into. My memory is that having been very much r3ok (albeit largely r3notok), they took a decision to cut the ties after a relaunch. This is my justification for insisting that this forum remains fairly tightly focused on Radio 3, and not letting the diversionary popular discussions take over while the (particularly classical) music interest declines as a result of interest in Radio 3 souring a bit/lot.

There was "history" between us and r3ok - witness the fact that my join date to this forum was in 2007, three years before this one actually started. But we kept faith with them, keeping the link to their site on our links sidebar until they finally sank. But make no mistake, they were just as ruthless at ejecting people who rocked their boat in a way that was unacceptable to them. And I wouldn't criticise them for that.

[eighthobstruction]

In any community people will fall out from time to time, and there will be disagreements about management both of such issues and in general. Unpopular decisions will be made, folks will leave and/or be disciplined as a result, and I have seen such things in my time here. However for me the forum is a good thing, I am content to see it continue in its current form, and I am very grateful to those generous folk who give their time and effort to enable it to continue.
I would dearly love to be able to participate in the online section of the local paper but it is a horrid place due to the dominance of a few aggressive, ignorant and intolerant individuals who seem to be allowed to operate in such a destructive fashion, even on really quite uncontroversial topics. It's a relief to come here and see often quite difficult matters being aired, for the most part without major ructions, and also have the benefit of so many people's knowledge and experience on such a wide range of subjects. Whether I would be such a 'frequent flyer' if it was solely limited to music and R3 I rather doubt, so apologies to those who would prefer that to be the remit.

....right on all accounts....

[Ein Heldenleben]

Stroke of the pen. I just post as an administrator now. Too old for the cut and thrust.

Elsewhere, yes r3ok is defunct. My own feeling is that what has kept this forum afloat has been Radio 3. As long as it has listeners, we can get new members to replace those who depart. But a board that had become just a social chat place, centred round classical music, is a bit harder for new members to crack into. My memory is that having been very much r3ok (albeit largely r3notok), they took a decision to cut the ties after a relaunch. This is my justification for insisting that this forum remains fairly tightly focused on Radio 3, and not letting the diversionary popular discussions take over while the (particularly classical) music interest declines as a result of interest in Radio 3 souring a bit/lot.

There was "history" between us and r3ok - witness the fact that my join date to this forum was in 2007, three years before this one actually started. But we kept faith with them, keeping the link to their site on our links sidebar until they finally sank. But make no mistake, they were just as ruthless at ejecting people who rocked their boat in a way that was unacceptable to them. And I wouldn't criticise them for that.

Thanks for the background and thanks for all your efforts - they are much appreciated . I would prefer more of a focus on Radio 3 Output particularly live (!?) performance because I get a great deal of pleasure in discussing musical matters with knowledgeable and , if newer to classical music , enthusiastic people. This is important because of the huge decline in press coverage of classcal music . I can remember in the 70's a whole page of the broadsheet Times being given over to performance with writers like Felix Aprahamian , William Mann and Joan Chisell - the latter reviewing every Wigmore Hall debut. All that has now gone with Richard Morrison lucky to get 500 words for a review. There's plenty of musical gossip (Slipped Disc) miles of listings (Bachtrack) but limited quality reviewing. It must be very dispiriting being a young soloist and giving performance after performance with no press coverage. It was (pre- lockdown) ,even on this very engaged, forum quite common for remarkable live performances on Radio 3 In Concert to go unremarked - sometimes performances which completely left in the shade heavily commmented Proms concerts. Classical music has never needed the support of people like us more . It is no exaggeration to say that the future of live performance hangs in the balance - let's not fall out over electronic misunderstandings

[Dave2002]

A few months back when we (FoR3) wanted to hand over the forum to members, there were lengthy discussions with the Hosts as to how it could be managed. It's a question of who wants to take over. Who will take over upgrading the software with a new licence holder (and pay for it)? Who will arrange for the forum to switch to another server, away from the Friends of Radio 3 server? Who will supervise the collection of subscriptions and payments?

If you get a group together to do it, you can have the forum. Now that FoR3 has ceased to be active, it has no use for a forum. Organise yourselves and it's all yours.

Further thought: Or just start your own forum, like r3ok

Like 8th this is the first I heard of any of this. However, it seems that the discussion was behind closed doors, and the doors were never opened. I would be very sad if this board closed, though it would not be the end of life, but it would be a lot less interesting.

If there continue to be issues of funding or running it, we could at least be informed. Other viable boards have mounted successful funding campaigns (not compulsory) when costs rose.

I'm sure most of us are very grateful for the services and facilities which have been provided over the years, and some of us would chip in to maintain viability, or offer some other help.

[LMcD]

Thanks for the background and thanks for all your efforts - they are much appreciated . I would prefer more of a focus on Radio 3 Output particularly live (!?) performance because I get a great deal of pleasure in discussing musical matters with knowledgeable and , if newer to classical music , enthusiastic people. This is important because of the huge decline in press coverage of classcal music . I can remember in the 70's a whole page of the broadsheet Times being given over to performance with writers like Felix Aprahamian , William Mann and Joan Chisell - the latter reviewing every Wigmore Hall debut. All that has now gone with Richard Morrison lucky to get 500 words for a review. There's plenty of musical gossip (Slipped Disc) miles of listings (Bachtrack) but limited quality reviewing. It must be very dispiriting being a young soloist and giving performance after performance with no press coverage. It was (pre- lockdown) ,even on this very engaged, forum quite common for remarkable live performances on Radio 3 In Concert to go unremarked - sometimes performances which completely left in the shade heavily commmented Proms concerts. Classical music has never needed the support of people like us more . It is no exaggeration to say that the future of live performance hangs in the balance - let's not fall out over electronic misunderstandings

I'm surprised at the apparent lack of interest in what, for me, are one of the highlights of the Radio 3 week, namely the Lunchtime Concerts, which I regularly review, without, however, eliciting much response. I can't be the only Forum member to listen to them - can I?