I can't help but add my two cents here. I've come at it from several different directions. As an 'outsider', one who once looked upon the guild as the good ol' boys club, I didn't have many friends in the guild. I figured I didn't need them and they didn't need me. With that kind of attitude, what could I expect? 15 years later, I joined the guild, and although a number of members were very welcoming, there were a few who were 'stand-off-ish'. Here's this new guy who knows (or doesn't know) something about pianos. Why has he decided to join? It was kind of an introductory period. Call it what you want. Cordial, and certainly pleasant, but not as open. After spending some time in the guild (I'm a member about 1 year now), I think the people around me, both my local area and the cyber world, have come to know a little more about why I'm here. I'm interested in the free exchange of ideas. I'm interested in what others are doing. I'm interested in learning. I'm interested in contributing what I may have learned along the way. I want to grow, and help those around me to grow too. I can't help but think that there is a segment of the 'learned' tech population that might be a little reluctant to divulge every bit of info they've ever come across or discovered through years of hard work to every newbie that comes along. But I have found that those same techs are much more interested in sharing their thoughts, their wisdom, their experience with people who are not just there to skim the best info they can and run off into their own little corner to play with their new toy(s). When you come to the group with the obvious intent of being a contributing member and a part of the 'team', the perspective changes. There is a sense of camaraderie that develops over time which breaks down a lot of the barriers. For me, I get back what I put out. I'll be blunt. I love people. I care what's going on in other people's lives. When somebody has a problem and I have even a little part of the answer, it gives me great happiness to be a part of the solution. I've got to tell you, it has come back to me ten fold. When I have a problem or need help with something, I have friends who are there to help. Do you want something from one of the 'big boys'? Let me just ask, then, what would you be willing to give them? I have discovered that even the 'big boys' as I called them, those who we put on a pedestal, don't know everything. When you get to know them, you find out they have questions and areas of interest where they don't have all the answers either. Have you ever taken enough time with one of them to find out where even one of their areas of questioning might lie? or do you even have a little tidbit of information that they might be thankful for? Offer it. I had a wonderful experience with a well known, high end rebuilder. He was looking for some info on a piano. I had some info. I sent it gladly, without any strings attached. I sent it because I consider him a friend. His response was "if there's ever anything you need, let me know", and he was sincere. What I'm driving at, the guild is, for many, what they put into it. If you've committed yourself to be a growing, thriving, integral part of this wonderful body of technicians, you won't likely be an 'outsider'. If you choose to be separate, distanced, and aloof, can you really expect the warm fuzzies? There are some areas where people have gotten messed up in the political stuff, and I hope I will be able to avoid those problems. I tend to stick to the more technical stuff. And no matter what the organization, there's good people and not so good people. It's a lot like high school, or church, or any number of organizations. You can find what you want to find. You want criticism? You'll find it. You want backbiting? You'll find it. You want jerks? You'll find them. You want warm, caring, sharing, good friends? You'll find lots of them. You want to share ideas and information with the best minds the PTG has? You will find them too. You hold a lot more of the power than you may give yourself credit for. Think about it. :-) (Time to get off the soapbox...) I just couldn't help myself... Brian Trout Quarryville, PA btrout@desupernet.net
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