[pianotech] New List

[Mark Schecter]

Alan,

I don't know who you're referring to that we've lost, but as I've been 
saying in several posts since the one below that you're replying to, my 
hope is to maintain the availability of the lists to everyone regardless 
of membership status. All I want is to know that there is a mechanism to 
dispatch list members who persist in throwing rocks, not roses. I don't 
say how to make that judgement, nor do I say who should make it. That's 
probably the rub. Still, are we stuck with whoever wants to sign up, no 
matter how obnoxious their behavior?

I would hope that non-member guests would be encouraged eventually to 
join. But what becomes of that initiative if some disgruntled ex-member 
persists in bad-mouthing the entire organization and its membership 
structure, over a period of years? How many potential members are turned 
off and decide to go it alone? Do we have a tool to limit that kind of 
damage? If we do, then we can talk about how and when to use it. If we 
don't, we need it.

If someone wants to offer constructive criticism, great, apparently we 
need ideas. But does that extend to having no choice as to when to cut 
somebody off? I hope not.

Wanting only the best for PTG,
-Mark Schecter


On 10/25/11 1:39 PM, Alan Forsyth wrote:
> You seem to have forgotten that the list has already lost a valuable
> contributor with this attitude that outsiders "are merely guests".
> Remember it is the contribution to the list that counts, not the
> makeup of the membership belonging to a parent governing body. It
> would be disrespectful to dismiss the criticisms and suggestions of
> those who are not PTG members on the basis of their fee paying
> status; they too have spent countless hours passing on their
> experience and knowledge to the list voluntarily. The majority of non
> lurking subscribers appear to be those that have not been through the
> formal training process of piano technology and are thus relying on
> those (both nationally and, more importantly, internationally) that
> have been through the process to answer their queries.
>
> Picture a charity worker holding out a can calling for contributions
> but next to it is a notice saying "donations by credit card only, no
> cash allowed". To top it all another notice says "if you wish to make
> a contribution by credit card please queue at the bank (aka the new
> list) 2 blocks away". That can is going to remain empty and there
> certainly won't be a queue.
>
> Please heed the criticisms!
>
> Beware the Ides of.... err.... December!
>
> AF
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: Mark Schecter To:
> pianotech at ptg.org Cc: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Tuesday, October 25,
> 2011 5:37 PM Subject: Re: [pianotech] New List
>
>
> I don't hear any of them complaining about not having a voice, as you
> did earlier in this thread. If you want a voice, join. If you don't
> want to join, don't expect to have a say in decisions. And remember,
> this is not a public forum, it is privately hosted by an organization
> that people PAY to belong to, and work to support. Even the harshest
> critics of this or that problem CONTRIBUTE time and effort to this
> organization, and many person-years have gone into evolving it to its
> present state. So your sneering dismissal of its membership
> categories, or its software issues, or frankly anything, are NOT
> appreciated and not welcome. In my view, you simply have no right to
> complain.
>
> Please try to make positive contributions and leave the gadfly
> attitude behind.
>
> I speak for myself, but I know there are plenty of others who agree.
>
> -- Mark Schecter
>
>
>
>