280 MEMBERS

[James Crowbear]

Zumbuster, you're purty darn good when yer sober
a new year's toast to ya & the missus !

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Thanks C.B.
Happy New Year to You.
Best wishes,
Ann and Him

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

trouble is Billy, with very little input from the majority, the posters start to lose heart, and you do see either a drop off in their posts [and that includes me too] or they drop away all together, you Billy, tend to post a lot on technique, and get a decent amount of feedback, i tend to post on equipment, and response is patchy at best, and yeah, time and time again, we have seen new members welcomed on to the forum, sometimes very enthusiastically, but they only come on to sell a bit of kit, and they are gone again, if it wasn't for the guys from north of the border, just recently, it would have been almost dead altogether, a few exceptions of course, would love to see new posters, daft questions'n'all,

[Dave Nutt]

This question regarding members contributing some interest has been raised many times before both on this comparatively newer site and on the old BSS site.

On the old site it was claimed by members that their reluctance to participate was due to hosting inefficiencies, easily avoidable technical problems but mainly blame was levelled at Saun Dochertys poor technical management of the site, so much so that the site was eventually abandoned, this much appreciated reincarnation is what you guys are left with today. Has the new site with its far more efficient hosting and management made any difference to the interest shown by members? If the question posed on this thread is anything to go by the answer must be no!

Apathy plus a noticable disregard for the contributed efforts of certain players (is it any wonder that few players post sound or vid clips nowdays? in he past I have felt embarrased by the silence that has followed some guys posted playing offerings) the total lack of writen contribution from members, even though some can find writing time to advertise items for sale. The disappointing (at least for me) lack of response/contribution from a large percentage of members following the request for assistance with the financing of the site. (it should be noted- that some poor, hard up sods can scrape together the membership fee for the US site) Relevent? to most obviously not.

A while back (rightly or wrongly) I was outspoken in my support for Bob Adams, he posted openly that he had an account on his desk, an account that pays for the hosting of the site, a site set up for the enjoyment of all of you. The response? well! the expected usual apathetic silence from most, but annoyingly from a member who hasnt posted anything since, advice to "cool it guys" or in other words, dont cause any embarrasement to members by suggesting that they should all make a small contribution to help B.A with the hosting costs for the site. Should I have bothered?? yes! because of my passion for all things steel guitar and in particular my past interest and support for The BSS Site. In retrospect will I speak out again? no!

In the past the BSS site had many pro and ex pro steelies amongst its membership, those guys would contribute articles of interest and banter on a regular basis, would willingly give advice and help to the newer guys and gals, unlike today basic questions never went unanswered. No need to name names, Longer standing BSS members will know who I refer to.

There are many members who would have been classed as new interest/newbies a year or so ago, admittedly they would have had little to contribute in their earlier days other than questions, but surely by now those guys should be supporting and contributing some interest to the site.

On my less frequent visits to the site its noticable that the same few guys continue to post, I am amazed at the ammount of newbies and established players (some well known to us all) who register, get welcomed on board, but never post or involve again. Is there a correlation between their expectations and what the site offers?



Disappearing up our own jack sockets?? I genuinly hope not.
Perhaps a "use it orlose it" attitude from all may prevent that happening.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

That was a nice long post Dave,,,,... Good to see you back

[Uncle Roy]

Welcome back Dave

[Tony Smart]

That was me who said "Cool it lads".

However, this is a Forum and everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Tony

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

so lets have some opinions then ! thats what is being asked for !

[Donny Johnston]

Eddie, on the button again .

[Donny Johnston]

I have read Daves reply to this thread more than I usually would, not only because it is much longer than most, but it contains so many relevant points. I would agree 100% with almost everything he says apart from this, " In retrospect will I speak out again? no! " Dave, your opinions are needed here whether or not everyone agrees with you, so please carry on giving your thoughts. This is the essence of a forum.