Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum SOCK PUPPET ALERT: Essex, Yamaha, Charles Walter

Perhaps, but making cryptic remarks does not aid anyones perception.

Incidentally I do not have a problem with anyone seeking the removal of Pianomadam. I just happen to disagree with the frequently repeated statement that it is all bad. bad for the business, Piano World and so on. In reality it is a pimple on the moon.

Some posters like to assume that PW is a beacon of truthful virtue in the piano world. And so misbehavior results in indignation. Oh my goodness, how awful! Everyone who has been here a while knows that PW suffers from the same issues as all internet forums: nonsense mixed with good advice, bias, puppetry, entertainment, dealers promoting stuff, misinformation and bashing, and so on.

So lets accept reality and move on to the next drama.

I expect Pianomadwoman already has another ID in any case.

A

My, my, my, how this thread has grown since I last passed through the gates of Mordor into the dark realm! The Inquisitioners have donned their black robes and oiled up their interrogation wheels. The forum must be pure! There are rules, and there must be consequences! And there are principles involved that require erudite analysis and discussion. Studies must be conducted and councils convened. This is, after all, a matter of such crushing importance that work, family, and mere playing of pianos must go on hold until we write 20 or 30 postings each that analyze it from every conceivable angle.

Thanks to those who found my earlier bit of whimsy amusing, but I just don't have the stamina for this place. I'm going back to the ABF!

(Don't flame me. I kid 'cuz I luv)

last two posts are my favs. BlueKeys, I laughed out loud at your first, very well done.

some people can understand them

AJB,

This is how you trumpeted your arrival in this thread. Though it is true that we live in different time zones, the elapsed time between a member's posts is accurate and consistent if both posts are measured according to the same time zone.

At the time of your last forum post before your dramatic entrance here, this thread had already accumulated 5 of those 8 pages that you refer to and 115 posts had been made. The thread did not initiate or develop during your absence. Those preciou$ page views that you allude to as being the only interest of management here were already topping the charts.

I realize that travel from country to country in Europe is quite facile and that you cherish your image as the boy-wonder James bond of Fleet Street by way of the World Bank in NYC. I am also aware that at other times you have entered threads saying something to the effect of 'lookee here what all has happened in my absence'. Hey, as you have noted, entertainment value is not to be sneezed at.

Apple has recently stated that there is much of value here beyond commercial enterprise. I support that view wholeheartedly. There are many who come here to navigate a purchase in a tricky product arena who receive invaluable help. I have personally received follow-up thank you letters from members who I had no specific recollection of helping. I have actually visited a couple of those members to meet them and see their pianos. I'm not boasting here. I'm just giving an example of the help which this place can and does afford people. There are others here who provide practical and valuable guidance superior to mine.

At this point you have apparently decided to toss everything out with the bathwater..equating this website to tabloid journalism such as it is practiced in your country and mine. You have also stated that EVERYONE enjoys the drama of a witch hunt and that entertainment quite naturally takes precedence over information.

You are certainly entitled to that view since apparently you are satisfied to come here as a diversion and seek nothing further. However, I think this forum is different things to different people and that there is genuine sadness on the part of many (including me) to see it floundering in such an unfortunate situation.

So while I would not dispute at all your view that it is what it is as viewed from one's own perspective, I would remind you that the vantage point of superiority upon which you place yourself is not shared by all that many others.

T-

do you EVER run out of words?



I can't even plough through the last one...expecting the same things you have said previously...

but please...don't let 'me' stop you!!!!

I think trying to divine Frank's thinking on this is both pointless and a wee bit insulting. He's been here longer than anyone and, agree with him or not, he's the host.

I've never known him to be keen on dishonest activity on this board. He just doesn't jump at every shadow. Let the man enjoy NAMM in peace. This can wait.

Turandot/William - you are basically a ranter. I find it hilarious how easily you bite. Verbose and frequently drifting away from the point into your diatribes. You reckon I missed the first 5 pages. You may well be right! Who cares - certainly not me. Do you not grasp irony? I dip into Piano World usually when I am not busy with something else. Given that the most important part of my family lives in a different country to me, I am often sat around at airports. Europe is a bit different to your neck of the woods.

And you are right, I can easily be mistaken for Bond. Unfortunately it is Brook Bond (of the PG tIps variety).

Get over yourself. You and I rarely share the same perspective. It is not personal. It just adds to the richness of the dialogue.

Now, if you have got something useful to say that is on topic, go at it old chap! We are close to dinner time shut down for PW in the UK, so your amazingly witty response will have to wait until the morning for me.

Kind regards

Adrian

At the end of the day this is Frank's site and he is free to do as he pleases. It's up to him to sort out all the free advice he has been given by those who have free access. PW is free in many senses of the word. Being free has pros and cons--features and functions are missing, desired reaction times are not met, sock puppets have some ability to roam freely in his absence.

I tend to agree with P*D and others that known malicious sock puppets and their owners should be banned- it's a risk they can take with known consequences if they get caught.

PW is also part entertainment, part community, part unselfish advice. It should operate based on the priniciple of good will by everyone (as Apple states)although with all the egos involved of course it will get unruly from time to time. Ben Franklin advocated moderation in everything including moderation. I agree with AJB, whom I have personally found to be very unselfish in assistance on a few matters, that this place is also entertainment- I believe he may have suggested to take the pixels too seriously may be bad for your health.

I have no doubt that PW will sort all this out. This thread reminds me of a famous quote "To retain respect for laws and sausages, one must not watch them in the making".

Ironically PM's two part invention would likely have fooled no one as her(?) comments are always subject to reality checks. Regardless the behavior I'm sure will be dealt with appropriately when Frank has a free moment.

First (and only) comment:

The NAMM show very likely is considered important in a business sense to Frank - otherwise (especially since PW seems to presently be the main source of personal revenue), he would not have paid the air fare, the hotel reservations, meal expense, and so forth; in order to attend.

From postings on another forum by people who are at NAMM - there is no direct Internet access at the NAMM show (at least not for the attendees). It is completely unknown if there is access in his lodgings. Trade shows are typically places where one not only gets to see new merchandise, but opportunities to meet and schmooze with potential suppliers AND clients. Most of the trade cannot justify the expense just to see the new toys - they are there to actively pursue business.

Frank could very well be busy after the public showings each day - getting potential advertisers, maybe lining up other opportunities in his line of work. The show is not infinitely long - far from it. The trip back to Florida is only a day.

Several posters seem to have taken personal offense that Frank has not yet taken action - GIVE HIM SOME SLACK!!!!!!!!!! This matter really does not rank right up with news like short supplies of heating gas in Europe, change of leadership in the US, even a plane falling into the Hudson river. Rhett Butler would really say, "frankly, my dear, I don't give a d**n."

I'm not really sure which is more pathetic - the original sham - or (presently) 14 pages largely filled with vitriol over the matter. Do what I'm going to do - get back to the keyboard (musical, not computer), and work on improving technique.

Jim

FYI everyone, I've had some talk with Frank through PM's and I am sure he will comment directly or through me as soon as he can.

Turandot, as far as the personal info goes, I can't remember if I gave PW personal info when I signed up or not. Maybe I did.. But I don't see anyone's personal info, maybe it's there and only Frank can see it.

Ken

Frank's opinion matters significantly. Frank is the only one who has the authority to ban someone.

FRANK IS AT NAMM!!!!!!

Let me repeat...FRANK IS AT NAMM.

His has MUCH more pressing matters to attend.

Perhaps just a litle patience....

[QUOTEoriginally posted by Lilylady
]I can't even plough through the last one...expecting the same things you have said previously...
[/QUOTE]

Change of pace caught you off guard huh?

Well, you know, I always read Adrian's posts very carefully, and interest in this thread has seemed to flag. Bearing in mind Adrian's opinion that entertainment value is key, I just figured that a new controversy would keep the ratings high until the poohbahs got a chance to see the overnight Neilsons.

It was fun taking a run at Adrian, and he certainly would agree that it's for a good cause...to put fresh meat on the table. He can get me back in the morning and serve me up as a roast duckling. Lord knows how long sideshows may be needed to keep people from changing the channel. Anyone you want to take a swipe at? Now's the time! A Free-for-all would probably set a new high in page views.

Steve is right. We're all guests here, and while there is nothing wrong with making suggestions, it's discourteous to him to start making them sound like demands.

Ken

Change of pace caught you off guard huh?

Well, you know, I always read Adrian's posts very carefully, and interest in this thread has seemed to flag. Bearing in mind Adrian's opinion that entertainment value is key, I just figured that a new controversy would keep the ratings high until the poohbahs got a chance to see the overnight Neilsons.

It was fun taking a run at Adrian, and he certainly would agree that it's for a good cause...to put fresh meat on the table. He can get me back in the morning and serve me up as a roast duckling. Lord knows how long sideshows may be needed to keep people from changing the channel. Anyone you want to take a swipe at? Now's the time! A Free-for-all would probably set a new high in page views. [/QUOTE]Makes me want to buy stock in Piano World.

You didn't say whether you've bought a piano before, so ... in case you haven't ... let me add this:

Prices are negotiable. Don't ever expect to pay the dealer's asking price. Work the price.

(I'm guessing that recessionary times are the best for buying expensive items, like pianos. Sales are down and the buyer are well positioned to work a good deal.)

erm... L Horwinkle... you might consider reading past the first post to see what others have already said. You may reconsider your position

We even had Ken change the title of the thread to help prevent this. Whaddya gotta do?

Hmmmmmmmm...

Well, someone did mention the other day that there hadn't been a locked thread in a while..

Ken