Time to say Goodbye

[GeneF]

It doesn't seem that long ago that I posted a thread named "Welcome to Newbies."  When I posted that thread, I really had strong feelings about PUT, the people here and the information that was gained.

Surfcal used quotes from that thread to write an article about PUT.  In that article, he defined the community, helpfulness, and caring that could be found at PUT.

Unfortunately, IMO, that has all changed and PUT is not what it use to be.

Recent threads have been very negative and often attacking people for what they believed were legitimate concerns about where PUT was going.  

Some felt that the fluff threads were fun.  That might be but I got very tired of seeing the same people fluff every chance they got.  I can think of a couple in particular.  Looking at the board today, I see the same people fluffing like crazy.  For what purpose, to reach 3000 posts.

I feel that I have contributed a lot to PUT as a member of the "clique."  The "clique" members contributed a lot to this board and is what kept it alive and interesting for a long time.  I don't see many of them posting any more or very little.

I miss the chat because that is where I met a lot of very fine people and made some great friendships.  Sure there were regulars there, but everyone that came there was equally welcomed.  It was because of the chat that Surfcal became such a strong presence on the board.

Threre were times that I found some of the posts on this forum to be very offensive.  One in particular was a post on the teacher thread.  It was at that time that I began to wonder if PUT was worth it.  Another post on the Killer Thread influenced me to stop posting on the board.

Recent threads have made up my mind that I no longer wish to participate at PUT.  It was not an easy decision but I know longer feel that this board is what it use to be.

To my friends on the board, I wish you well and happy camping.

[birol]

Threre were times that I found some of the posts on this forum to be very offensive.  One in particular was a post on the teacher thread.  It was at that time that I began to wonder if PUT was worth it.  Another post on the Killer Thread influenced me to stop posting on the board.

I regret that I posted the offending post about teachers, which you mentioned, but unfortunately my opinion is still the same. Just like any other prefession, & community, teachers are also human beings, and maybe we had more than our fair share of bad ones to deal with. I am sorry you took it personally, or as a painting the whole teaching professionals with the same brush, it wasn't meant to be. It was venting the frusturation for what we were going thru with our DD"s teacher at that time. Obviously its effect on you has been final.

As for the rest, a lot has been told, and an unnecessary division has artifically been created, I wish you would stay, but I respect your decision.

I,personally, will  miss your contributions.

[topcat7736]

Well, I'll miss you Gene.
 
It was about this time last year that the board was in an uproar over moving to a pay forum. Once the split occured, the posts here toned down a lot.
 
Now, while I'm not condoning them, the trolls on our last board actually injected some life into it. Without them, things are rather slow. At other sites, you'll see hundreds of names and a good amount of them are probably the same person or person's in one of their many different looks. They even talk to themselves, under different names, to create confusion & get people upset. Perhaps, being able to rid ourselves of their aggravation has slowed the board to where it is today.
 
As popup owners, we've matured through that ownership and there aren't many questions which we need help from others in answering. There are questions asked by some that I can't answer and some I can. I prefer not to put out a one liner saying "I don't know the answer for you. Have a nice day." as some feel compelled to do, but will answer questions I can, if there isn't an answer the same already posted. Those combinations lead to a reduction in my posts, which may be the same with many others. A lack of postings doesn't mean I no longer care about The Board, The Magazine, PopUPTimes, Dave, the people here or our popup (which we still own despite buying a TT). It only means I don't post as much as I did. No big deal.
 
New people come along, pay their fee and can use the board as they choose. It's now their board too. I've no problem with people enjoying themselves. We've all done our share for a lot of years.
 
I like the PopUPTimes Magazine too and will continue my subscription even if we someday sell the popup. I'm not able to travel to out of the way places for 6 months at a time and like the reviews and pictures of places and campgrounds across our country. The magazine always has something new & interesting and offers tips & information which I add to the bag of past ones I always carry in my head.
 
I miss a lot of the people who were on the original board. They've moved on,  probably never looked back and forgot about us. We who are still here are the ones dwelling on their loss, not them. The same thing occurs occasionally in controversial posts. Someone drops a line, moves on and others stay behind and magnify it out of proportion. People need to remember that this is a MESSAGE BOARD. We can choose to dwell on good things & forget the not so good or do the reverse. The choice is left to each individual and not forced upon us.
 
I'd rather you stay, but if you decide to leave, I hope to see you down the trail sometime.
 
C ya bud!

[Miss-Teri]

This is the only message board that I belong to where people go absolutely nuts when they don't like something.  And what's even stranger is this board has a lot of Christians where my other boards are filled with a lot of atheists (my other boards are animal boards - don't know why that draws the atheists, but a lot of the members are), but we Christians can't get along while the atheists can.  Frankly, it's embarrassing.
Campers may be great people in person, but they sure can't get along in print.  What's up with that?
This entire ridiculous thing where everyone must act like a temper tantrum throwing child is not fair to Pop-Up Times, and it makes us all look like idiots, IMO.
-Teri

Edit:  *Shrug*  Ya'll said to not worry about saying my opinion...  

[cooncreekers]

well all i have to say to you Genef is, see ya.:rolleyes:

 
Birol, love ya man. keep `em coming. you are the only interesting thing going on here now buddy.
 
 
 
Miss-teri, Amen.:W
 
ps. if anybody wonders or cares why i have been so silent for these past months, its because of *rants* like this.

[Popupper]

deleted by PUT

[MommaMia]

Genef...

You were one of the first people I met when I joined here.  You were always polite and respectful, engaging and friendly.  You were one of the reasons I decided to join this board.  I wish there were words for me to say that would keep you from leaving.  If you are truly going, I wish you all the best.  If you ever decide to come back, I'll welcome you as I would any friend.  

I'm sorry to see you go and I'll miss you.

My best~  Cindy

[tlhdoc]

Gene I will miss you here.  I hope that you will reconsider your stance and stay, but that is your choice.  Good luck with the new trailer and I hope to see you on AIM.

[bearbait]

ps. if anybody wonders or cares why i have been so silent for these past months, its because of *rants* like this.
 
 
And keep in mind, it's comments like these right here that drive good people away from this board.  So your adding to the very problem that your complaining about, this is just your own personal "rant".
 
 
I think a lot of people are going to miss Genef and I really hate to see him go like this.  His style at the chatroom brought a lot of people to these boards initially and it's sad to think of all those memberships that were lost in the past 11 months due to software issue's there, the board could have done so well too, all that potential just wasted, it's a real shame. We will miss you Gene, your wisdom and wit was very appreciated by many people at the old PUT board, it was evident in emails that people sent me in private and by things that I heard in private conversations. Thank you for all you have done in the past and what you tried to accomplish recently to build this board up, even though your efforts seem fruitless, it was appreciated.
 
How ironic, the "Old Man in the Mountain" was lost the same year as PUT lost Genef, both icons, both are missed, and neither will ever be replaced.....................

[Starryart]

You know, not everyone is going to agree on everything and, frankly. I don't find those little irritating things worth making me give up the boards. When I come across some disagreeable note, I just move on and read other posts that interest me and don't sweat the small stuff. I look forward to reading  information from my PUT friends.
    I miss some of the original members.too and wished that they had seen it as wise to stay here and ignore what they didn't like. Don't participate if the subject is offending as this too shall pass and sit as a dusty book on a long forgotten shelf.
    There are people here who care! Give it a chance.

[Acts 2:38 girl]

Bye GeneF     We really enjoyed meeting you and your family at our 1st Rally!  DH is always super-careful whenever the boys are near the water supplies now    
I agree with some of your points, and it's hard when your on the computer reading threads to get a sense of someones motives.  A lot of times I won't respond to certain threads because the motives are unclear.  Are they really mad, being sarcastic, or just kidding around?  I think that's where the smiley's are supposed to come in.  Even now there are posters who always seem to be mad about something.  
Then again, there are times when the motives are perfectly clear.  We need to use our judgement on wether to pass it by, or respond and add fuel to the fire.  There are others who really like to get things going, and they are usually the same people!      :eek:  
Anyway, we will all miss you and I hope you still keep in touch and we might see you at a Rally??   Bye  :W