I remember there was a link to go back to the orignal SZ forum. does anyone remember how to get there?

thanks

This may help.

http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.synthzone.com/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=General+Arranger+Keyboard+Forum&number=37

I HIGHLY recommend everyone go back and read some of these older posts-not particularly for the content, but for the tone. There was very little bashing, sarcasm and undue criticism. However there was enthusiast exchange of ideas and information.
Compare that to the content of the posts we have today, and you will find why so many have left the forum, or like me, just don't participate as much because of the SOS.
I'd give most anything to return to the "good old days", where respect was foremost.
DonM

Don,

Looks like it's a little late for that, as it is most of the pros have left SZ like Uncle Dave, Scott Yee, Gary D, Chas, Dnj, Fran, Terry T, Esh, and so many others.
It's sad especially when you look back at older posts from years ago as you described. Many are just sick & tired of all the bickering nonsense, bashing, and Mr know It All bravado attitudes that continuously go on here on every single post. I'm sorry to say that without an online Moderator to keep things here in check & too delete all unwanted OT posts the SZ General Arranger KB forum will slowly die.

What DonM said.

Ditto Don Mason....I also miss those days!.



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mdorantes

For the most part I have to agree with Don's post, but I want to make something clear. Most of the posts on SZ are good and just as enthusiastic and positive as the older ones. I remember just a few years back when Scott Yee got chased around by some of the others... no one's talking about that.

Now maybe we need an online admin, but it seems that we should always be able to police ourselves. I know we have a couple of "difficult" members who the oldsters feel ruins it for us all, but I say deal with them. They'll soon get your message and start hanging out at other arranger sites.

In the meantime, there's a great opportunity to breathe some real life into this forum if only some of you would participate in this eJam that's going on. Except for some rocky comments at the beginning, everything has been very positive.

I, for one, only want to enjoy what I read and hear on SZ. Bickering and pissing is no fun. If you guys miss the old times so much, then bring them back - with your participation. All the guys listed in this post are great musicians and fine people. It has been your choice to lurk or leave. It's now time to return.

I probably won't participate in the Ejam because I'm working 5-6 nights a week, and seldom bring my kb home. I'm also in the middle of a recording project at a local studio, providing all the tracks for a harmonica player (vanity project, but it pays good). I still have three songs to complete for him.
Also, I've never heard of two of the songs, and I'm not very good on Nearness. I'll try to play it on the job tonight and see how it comes out. Anyway, everybody has heard plenty of my stuff.
DonM

Speaking of the good ol days, i miss the days the Earth was still cool without all this warming stuff..then again,why was there
ice on the top of my pond frozen over from the cold temps last night in JUNE!..ignore this rant,seems the good ol days still remain, least for this one.

Well Said DonM
Good times...
I missed Notlos, Andrea, Armando as well.

Chico

Looking back is a real trip...lot's of familiar names that have disappeared.

But, you know what? They may be harder to find, but there's still some knowledgeable, courteous folks here.

Don is GREAT! He's a little tired of some of the games, but he's here enough to know what's going on and would be there for anybody who needed help.

Ray (the Saint) is a courteous person who had really helpful things to say when I got hurt in a robbery, recently.

There are lots of others...Dave (Cincy-jazzman-Hope to see you Sunday), Tony Mads, Dennis (Miden) Bill (Dayton), Frank and George, Mikey, Jim, Chico, Nigel, of course ...more than you would think, in light of the nastiness that sometimes surfaces.

And there are others whom I now correspond with via email (Taike, UD, Chas and others).

Don't know about you, but the "Zone" is still important to me.

Here's a thought. Why not make a concerted effort to be nicer to each other?

Who knows? We might all end up with life-long friends.


I know I have.


Russ

even though you left me off your list of good guys, I agree with you 110%. This forum is what the active members make of it. Those who sit and watch have nothing to complain about.

[This message has been edited by cassp (edited 06-09-2009).]

Cass, you're one of the good guys. I made the list in about 90 seconds, thinking the ones I omitted out of haste would know they deserved to be there. You're certainly one of the outstanding folks in that group, as is Stephen, DanO, Jerry, Rory, Dreamer, Riki, Mike, Deane, Hank B and, believe it or not, Ian and Diki (ocasionally). Even the "bad little boys" from Jersey-Donny and Frank, are valuable contributors.

If I had another 5 minutes, I could add many more names (on a tight film deadline all day).

See-that's the point. And, that's the reason why we should really try, as a group to treat each other with respect and appreciation.


R.



[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 06-10-2009).]

I didn't make the good guy list but I echo what Don said.

Tom

Russ, you the man, thanks for remembering me. As I recall when I first started visiting SZ you were the first guy who called me on the phone to introduce yourself.

I've been visiting for about 3 years. I've learned lots here and made some good friends, the list too long to write out. There's something about SZ though that gets the blood pumped up, that other forums don't.

Tom...
I didn't hear your name mentioned at the Grammies either. But, it is common knowledge: you are a good guy.
Eddie

I think the last five or six posts show that everyone here feels a special connection to SZ - that's why we all want to be on the 'good guy' lists whenever they come up. We all feel we contribute something valuable when we post. And even more importantly, we feel a strong connection to the names and personalities we've come to know. I honestly feel I could visit anyone mentioned here and be welcome for a drink an a handshake. That's why the new guys and the old guard need to stick around.

I agree with a lot of what Don said, but as a guy who joined in August of 2004, there were plenty of pointed jabs and sarcasm from a lot of guys in the John Dileo comment. Most were very opinionated and some came across pretty dismissive of some of the questions from the newer guys. Some had unbelievably thin skins. Some seemed like all around great, friendly guys...

As far as a online moderator, I haven't read much at all that would or should have caused a moderator to step in.

For every sarcastic remark from one guy, there's another comment from a different guy baiting him...or whining...deleting posts after they make a smart remark...

There's plenty of blame to go around, but this notion that Diki has singlehandedly ruined this forum is rubbish...

Mind you I'm not a Diki apologist, I haven't cared for the tone and the edge he uses at times, but frankly-I've seen him using a lighter touch of late.

In the natural course and evolution of a cyber entity like this, people come and people go...Would most of us welcome the guys in the list back? Sure...



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Bill in Dayton

Hi ,
wow, that link takes me back.
Synthzones been part of my life since 2002.

I remember when it went down for quite a number of days 2004 ???
I think at the time AJ & Frank were helping me get started with a softsynth/software arranger setup & Synthzone dissapeared. eek.
I started to go thru withdrawl symptoms haahaa

A few more names haven't seen in quite a long time.
Bluezplayer ( AJ)
Al (kbrkr )
Bebop
Frank Rosenthal ( did post more recently)
best wishes
Rikki




[This message has been edited by rikkisbears (edited 06-09-2009).]

Last night, when I was on a break, I thought of this post and realized that, if I were trying to make a "winners" list, I'd have to add Squeak, Chris Valenti, Randy (Saxman), Tom Cavanaugh and Eddie, plus others...if I thought about it; LOTS of others.

Sorry if, in my haste yesterday, I left deserving names off the list. Making a comprehensive list wasn't the primary point, anyway. The "takeaway" is that there are lots of people who make up the essence of the group. There are lots of good people who make valued contributions.

And a "shot" of "the Zone", warts and all, is something to look forward to each day.


Russ

Russ, I'm sorry if I started a "me too" list. It was actually said in jest, but I guess the emoticon sorta swayed toward disappointed instead of winking sad. In any case, it's still good to get all the names out there because they all deserve the attaboys.

I do monitor and censor postings when necessary. But I don't see bickering and arguing as being a case for censorship. If I removed every dissenting posting there would be a large number of you that would be upset by me doing that. You expect to be able to freely disagree with eachother. I generally expect you guys to police yourselves.

If you can all agree 100% ( or close to ) on a rule on posting that can be summed up in 25 words or less then I would certainly consider it. But I'm betting that won't happen.

Please do not change a dam thing Nigel,this forum is a total winner!

Complainers are only the result of manufacturers not putting out something new,fresh,exciting,so of course there are going to be moments of slight stagnating.I often wonder do people who run off offended live that way around their real families too,as to me synthzone is an extension of such.

Every now and again, I get a few days away from SZ, or see a thread that is just BEGGING to end up ugly, and stay off of it. And, you know what? Peace and love doesn't spontaneously break out, the birds don't sing, the flowers don't bloom. You guys are quite capable of generating five pages or more of sheer spite totally without my intervention.

Were it otherwise, I can assure you that my tone would match the general forum tenor. When you start showing each other any respect, then you can DEMAND it of me, too. But demanding it from me while you bicker amongst yourselves is hypocritical.

People left this forum BEFORE I joined. Who's fault was it THEN?

While my humor and general 'Britishness' often gets lost in translation, I at least try to be one of the few that actually post about making MUSIC, on playing techniques, arranger operation, and conjecture about what could make the process work better. Perhaps if more members tried that, rather than get involved in the 'spec wars' that dominate us, people WOULD be flocking back here?

If we could change the main post type from 'Look what I just bought! It's the best thing EVER!' over to 'Look what I just learned... listen to what I just played!', wouldn't this be a better place?

Awwwwww cmon you could have helped add an extra couple of pages if you had tried



Actually it is ALWAYS my fault for not being more dominating over the forums. I guess that simply is not who I am so I readily accept the blame. I really don't have a problem with that.

Personally, if I don't want to argue with someone I simply ignore their posting and don't reply to it or even refer to it. While that doesn't sound hard at all to do it seems there are a lot of people that are incapable of doing something that simple.


[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 06-13-2009).]

Conflict is the lifeblood of a forum.

Oh yes I also miss the friendship and better attitudes of those days!

Nigel : You always did/do an excellent job.

Roel (ignoring/skipping many posts)

I think this depends on how the conflict is handled. If you can't respond to it without resorting to personal attack, and find yourself arguing with the person, and not about the issue itself, this is how things go south...

There are some on this forum that confuse the two.

All you need to know about how important this forum is to all of us is to have it mysteriously disappear for a couple of days as it did a few years ago ... and then all the e-mails started "what happened to S-Z ... I can't access it ... when will it be back.... what's going on... etc. etc. etc ...

Keep up the good work Nigel ...
t.