Bernie's Open Letter To All Members (PLEASE READ)

[Bernie]

Bernie's Open Letter To All Members (PLEASE READ)

As all forum members should know, I value everyone's participation on the forums here at DiscoMusic.com. It must be made clear however that there are certain ways of interacting with others that don't make for good community. I would like to take this opportunity to speak with all of you via this open letter to outline and touch upon several topics that concern all of us.

As the owner and moderator of this forum and site it is my responsibility to make sure that the forum runs smoothly and that all of you have an enjoyable experience. I do this by laying down a very simple framework of rules to foster discussioons and respect amongst ourselves. We are all adults here and I will step in and lay down the law when needed. There have been recent examples.

In general I do NOT like to censor or edit messages, but will do so if the need arises. Many times I will leave a message up that some may not like, but that is to YOUR advantage since now YOU can better determine if YOU want to socialize with that person on other topics.

A perfect example of this was the "Need Help" topic posted by "hairlip" a few days ago. There was absolutely no reason for any of the regulars here to respond to that. It was obviously meant to push buttons and so many of you were foolish enough to fall for it even after the original poster said so! Yes, I did say it-you were foolish to respond. You brought it upon yourselves. Just as with Fantomas, one should ignore dumb-ass remarks and they will go away in time, but no-everyone has to get the last word in and then it continues. Please learn to drop things and move on. I don't want to see anyone replying to this post or others like it period.

Fact-of-life people, as the forum continues to grow we will have more people come in and try to upset us and it is YOUR responsibilty to not feed them and NOT mine to ban or delete their messages. Everytime I saw another person respond to "hairlip" I cringed and said, "these guys can't leave it alone and they've brought it on themselves." If you want me to help you then you'll have to help yourselves first. I'll always go out of my way to make this forum enjoyable, but you have to cooperate with me and everyone else.

While I have the power to "ban" members or I. P. addresses it is something I do not like to do since it opens a Pandora's box. In fact, in all the years since I've run this site/forum I have only banned one person. Banning someone is a last resort and not a cure all solution. Please don't expect me to ban someone for every little infraction.

Fresh and interesting posts are what make this forum special and unique. You may post just about any music related topic you would like discussed even if it is not Disco or dance. That's the key word-DISCUSSED-not argued. We all have differences of opinion because of our background, country of origin, age..., but we are here to discuss music with friends and those differences are what make for lively discussions. This is not a place for highly opinionated or intolerant people.

The free downloads topic was a perfect exercise in redundancy. It was obvious it was going nowhere despite it being a great topic to debate and discuss. It just became name calling and a lot of sillyness which is why I closed the topic. Blaxman was a gentleman enough to e-mail me and apologize and I accept. We will reopen this topic in the near future since it is a very important one that will affect all of us, but when it does we are going to DISCUSS it.

While the occassional curse words such as "shit" and "fuck" are permitted in the context of storytelling it is not to be used to slander another member. Likeiwse if you have a limited vocabulary which consists mainly of four-lettter words then you are not welcome here. While we are on it please watch those signature lines. Let's keep religion, sexuality and race out of tag lines.

I'm going to lock some hot and troublesome topics not to penalize anyone or censor, but just so we could have a cooling off period. Let's move on to other topics for now and keep all of the above in mind. Thanks for hearing me out.

Future Plans For DiscoMusic.com

Still plugging away at a new site redesign and I am making substantial progress, but there is still plenty more to get done. Don't want to give any details at this time since so much can change, but you will all love what's in store!

Finally, there will be a new Top 500 Diso Songs List, but it will be done very differently than last time and will require no work for any member. You'll just have to sit tight till I get the details out to you later on so please don't ask.

[Masdefi]

Great letter Bernie, you have my support.
We all have to understand whether a post can be replied or not. Idiots are always present and we have to avoid them.
I think if we'll do that, as Darwin's law states, after natural selection from idiots, OUR site will grow better and better.
Masdefi

[NickNack]

As little Austin P. says: "YEAH, BABY!"

Don't worry Bernie, all of your 'children' will turn out just fine. Give us time...

[jazz_pilgrim]

I agree with you 100% Bernie.

In my post in one of the locked topics, I told you why I love this Board. And without your effort, where would we be??

BTW Blax took the blame for upsetting DJ Phil. But it is not entirely his fault. I must shoulder some of the blame as well, Bernie. As in our private e-mails Blax and I were joking about the MP3 debate, and I probably egged on my good friend Blaxman a bit. So it is partly my fault as well. I know Blax well and he is definetely a "gentleman and a scholar"!!

Don't worry, Bernie, as I am truly sorry too and will learn from this.

Am looking forward to seeing your future plans reach fruition!!


_________________
It's got to be about the music !!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: jazz_pilgrim on 2002-07-22 17:01 ]</font>

[paul]

But Bernie. I like being naughty ya big bully

[Nano]

On 2002-07-22 13:17, Bernie wrote:
Just as with Fantomas, one should ignore dumb-ass remarks and they will go away in time, but no-everyone has to get the last word in and then it continues. Please learn to drop things and move on. (...)

The free downloads topic was a perfect exercise in redundancy. It was obvious it was going nowhere despite it being a great topic to debate and discuss. (...)

Let's keep religion, sexuality and race out of tag lines. (...)

You're fucking right, you boricua!
Now, seriously: Bernie, you're absolutely right. And I apologize again for the MP3 issue. Sometimes I talk too much. It took some time but I think I learned.
Just be kind and remember this is the very first forum I participated in. Thanks to disco music and your wonderful site.
BTW, what will be the future changes? (Just joking.)

[Funky Dude]

I also agree with you Bernie.

I never read hairlip's topic until now and I was so angry that I wanted to throw my 2 cents worth in as well but I'll play by Bernie's rules and not respond to those sorts of threads.

Anyhow let's hope things will get better for now on .

Cheers

Funky Dude

[markydefad]

Can anyone recommend a site where I could participate in a real Flame War???!!!!

I'm thinking I WAS BORN TO FLAME!!!! :lol:

I'm just kidding, guys.

"Unmanly" Marky
"WHERE I SPIT, NO GRASS GROWS -- EVER!!!!!"

[markydefad]

Sorry Bernie,

Maybe this wasn't the appropriate place for one of my "jokes". I'll try to be on better behavior in the future.

[Blaxman]

Friends,

I think this Dj Phil issue is on the past now!!
I appreciated Jazz_Pilgrim support, but I cant agree with him. I type my posts on my own. I couldnt resist the fact that one person was accusing several people with strong words, so I decided pay him back WITHOUT strong words....

I mailed Bernie to apologize me. He accepted and that's all!!! It's over!! Bernie is a gentleman and a real warrior!!

Just for record:

You can see my second post at hairlip topic, I felt something wrong with that post and I did stay away from that!! As you can see, I learnt fast!! :lol:


Thanx to all for the attention and let's go!! :grin:

Peace,
peace indeed!

_________________
SENHORES DO GROOVE - BRAZIL


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Blaxman on 2002-07-23 08:06 ]</font>

[DJ P]

Bernie, all I can say is 'a little too late'. I removed my 'personal info', but couldn't remove my 'name' please do that. Let these people 'steal, trade, ripp-off, borrow or what ever they wish to call thier thefs. I no longer wish to deal with a site that is trading 'get it free', 'heck I don't care if the artist receives aay royalties' or 'gee the labels haven't released it yet, let me steal it' site. I removed all my personal information but couldn't delete the user name from your site. Please do at this time. It was a great site, but with all this 'down-loading, 'get it for free' posts. I no longer wish to be a member (per my counsel) of a site that deals with links to web site that violate copyright laws:(. Please remove this name/screen name as of this date: July 23,2002, It was, and I emphesise 'was' a wonderful site:). I have tired of the members that want to 'rip off' the artists/labels. BUY it or do without. Good day Bernie, DJ Phil

[DJ P]

I no longer wish to be insulted or deal with a site (per my consel) that trades or posts web sites to steal (if you aren't paying for it that is what you are doing) copywrighted music. Mr. Lopez please delete the name of 'DJ Phil" (since I was able to delete all the other information) from your site. I have enjoyed your site but have tired of the theves. Please delete my name as soon as possible. Thank you.

[Boodikka]

Can anyone recommend a good, free MP3 site?

[markydefad]

Good one, Boodi!!!! You anarchist!!!!!

He is an odd duck. I'm only beginning to to see the depths of the weirdness in the two previous posts.

His "consul's advice"???!!! There is such a word, BUT I presume he means his counsel's advice. What, he's gonna be named in a law suit against this site because some folks advocate downloading mp3's???!!!!

Strange brew. I really never noticed quite how strange before. Hmmmmm..... :roll:

_________________
Make My Feet Wanna Dance!

Markydefad

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: markydefad on 2002-07-24 22:36 ]</font>

[sutnop]

On 2002-07-23 18:34, DJ Phil wrote:
Bernie, all I can say is 'a little too late'. I removed my 'personal info', but couldn't remove my 'name' please do that. Let these people 'steal, trade, ripp-off, borrow or what ever they wish to call thier thefs. I no longer wish to deal with a site that is trading 'get it free', 'heck I don't care if the artist receives aay royalties' or 'gee the labels haven't released it yet, let me steal it' site. I removed all my personal information but couldn't delete the user name from your site. Please do at this time. It was a great site, but with all this 'down-loading, 'get it for free' posts. I no longer wish to be a member (per my counsel) of a site that deals with links to web site that violate copyright laws:(. Please remove this name/screen name as of this date: July 23,2002, It was, and I emphesise 'was' a wonderful site:). I have tired of the members that want to 'rip off' the artists/labels. BUY it or do without. Good day Bernie, DJ Phil

I never cease to be amazed!! :grin:azed
God
Some of us here have some serious issues

I think thearaputical counsel would be a better recommendation