Piano World Home Page Forums Restricted and Archives The Coffee Room Why? For change, that's why.

"It has dissolved into mud slinging, discussions about topics that have absolutely no place on a family forum, and pretty much everything I didn't want on my piano forums. People are using it for their personal agendas, or to post smut and crap I don't wish the Piano Forums to be associated with."

Come on guys.

Most of the responses that I have read to Frank's decision follow the lines of "Fine, let's create our own new forum.", "I want an apology", "I'm leaving", "It was fun while it lasted", "I wish you all the best.", "It's not all of our fault"... That's all good, but I don't think that's quite what needs to be said. What needs to be said is this: We have all written bad things here. We've all messed up. We can all learn from this, and in the future, we can all be better people.

I don't know about the rest of you, but this has really made me think about what I have been writing here.

I'm a pretty nice guy. I don't write so much stuff that's offensive, and I certainly never try to be offensive. But looking back, I realize that I probably have been at times a little inappropriate, and I will monitor my own behavior in the future so that I can be the best person that I can be.

I don't know about the rest of you, but this whole "Warning! Forums Changes Are Coming" has really made me think. You remember Jolly's thread about swearing? Something to the affect of why can't people swear?

The answer is the people are offended. You can say whatever you want - I can say whatever I want - but other people read / hear. We need to all be consciencious always of what we are writing and saying, because the fact is, whether or not we intend to be offensive, others may in fact be offended.

Rather than rationalizing or cricizing Frank's decision, think about what you have done and said. Even if you are a really well-behaved, good person - and most of us are - we can all use this as a learning experience to better ourselves.

And, hey, don't be so blue about the CR going... remember what Frank writes:

"I haven't decided if I'll attempt to open a new forum for non-music topics. But if I do (and it's doubtful), it will be strictly controlled."

There is still a chance, but we have to earn it. We have to all learn - all of us - so that if Frank is kind enough and optimistic enough to give us a second chance, we can prove our worth.

Sam, you're one of my favourite posters.

sam, of all people who dont need to apologize, its u.

Y? Because we love you. M-O-U-S-E-eeeeeee!

Sorry, I'm getting punch drunk. Time for bed.

pj, I was convicted about this earlier on, and posted something a bit more level-headed than my original, hot-tempered rant.

You're 100% correct.