Update......

[electra225]

I wanted to update you guys on a couple things. First, since the forum started, we have had open registration. I wanted open registration so the group from Vintage could register here with a minimum of drama and aggravation. The plan was to maintain this policy for six months or so, or until the spambots found us. Well......the spambots found us in less than two months! We have been absolutely swamped with "members" registering with 20-letter usernames then posting mostly click bait, many times not making any sense at all. These knuckle draggers seem to have been mostly from a medical company in Canada, although we were also blessed with one from Switzerland. I worked for almost two hours last evening deleting and banning these new "members". I had something really rude to describe them, but thought better of it. Needless to say I'm not too proud of people who take their time and talents to mess up something someone else had worked hard to develop. So, now, we have administrator approved registration. This won't impact you guys any, but it may inconvenience new members. I'm sorry about that, but it was the belief of the moderator team that anyone genuinely interested in the forum would understand the need for security. And, while I'm on the subject, the moderators were all over this situation. If you get a minute and would do so, please post an "atta boy" on this thread for Bill and Rex, our magnificent moderators. These guys do a tremendous job and have given considerably of their time.

Then, behind the scenes, we have decided on several procedures we want to try to enhance the functionality of the forum. What you see now, with a couple of exceptions is what they call the default style. The six cylinder Chevy Biscayne of forum styles. It will run and drive just fine, but it may not be very pretty. If you want an Impala SS with a 327 and Powerglide, with power windows, Positraction, dual exhausts and air conditioning, you need to pay for options. In the forum world, you need to access the forum software website, then download what they call extensions, apps or programs that enhance the performance and operation of the forum. This is part of the freight we paid when we started, but I need to use computer gizmos that I hadn't heard of a month ago. This slows down the operation somewhat, and I seem to have too many irons in the fire here at home right at the moment. When I started this forum, all I wanted was better than having a broken forum. Something that would work. In the intervening weeks, I have gotten into developing and tinkering around a bit. I'm excited about the options we have and am looking forward to making little improvements as we go forward so we can have something we can all be proud of.

Then, lastly, is our Archives activity. I'm trying to decide how to administer it. How to format it so it can be easily searched. Who is going to maintain it. Who is going to set it up. How are we going to provide access to it? Members with so many posts? Members only? I'd like to expand it a bit to include radio repair information, TV repair information, record changer and tape recorder information, that kind of thing. I know a lot of you have information you would contribute, in addition to what we already have. This is an on-going project that we would like to nail down in the not too distant future. If any of you have ideas or suggestions, please feel free to PM me or one of the moderators. We appreciate your time and participation.

You guys have been pretty much ignored in the past, kept in the dark and fed the old "mushroom theory". I promised myself I would keep you guys in the loop without giving away "company' secrets. You guys are THE best group I have ever been associated with in my entire life. I missed you guys when Vintage went down. I'm honored that you joined us and for your participation. I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you.

[walyfd]

I was a moderator for my car club for over 3 years. Its a thankless job so THANK YOU!!!

I f you need help, let me know.

[MEZLAW]

Yes......If you need help let me know.

[SeniorSteve]

Greg, thanks for keeping us members up to date on issues here. While I may not be able to help much, knowing all of the hard work that is put into running this forum isn't easy. I appreciate the fact that time was taken to try to explain this. I've made donations to AudioKarma and Antique Radio Forums and I would have no problem in supporting here. I'd like to see more of the VHF members here, it was a very good crowd.

[electra225]

Thanks, Steve. The best way to support this forum is by participation. We are slowly gaining our VHF crowd back. If you know of someone you haven't seen here, and know how to contact them, it would be helpful if you would let them know we are here.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Thanks so much Bill and Rex. It really does mean a lot that
you guys and Greg want the forum to be a great experience.

It is SO important to come to a site that feels amity is part
of the purpose.
I never have to worry about someone intentionally raining
on my hi-fi parade, when I'm making honest attempts
at learning.

I try to mentor as much as I can on the other forum.
I notice that people aren't as willing to do the grunt work
of giving lots of basic advice to new folk who have
shown an interest in our hobby.

I may turn a couple of the youngsters on to our forum,
since they seem very sincere in their interest.
Heck, I'm still a youngster, learning electronics basics,
but it's great to apply what you guys help me learn !