I have grown tired..dealing with the few "blow hards" that always interfere with discussions ...Discussions that are posted for civil content...without the influx of digs about several people ..skill levels, expertise, product designer's being disrespected..etc...

I would never stand down from anyone, and will always aid another that is being unfairly treated...especially the "cyber bullies"..you know the people that have a lot to say over the Internet...and would cry like a baby..if they were face to face...

Rather than say things that I may or may not regret..I decided to move on...like many other folks..

Several of my post, with the intent to be positive post and learning post..have come crashing down with stupid inputs from several members...We all know who they are..

Don't count this as a victory for them...it is not...just the opposite..My choice only..

For the genuine people and friends I have made here..please stay in contact...email me if I can help with anything...

Like our famous Phillies announcer said.. I am "outta here"..

Hi Fran.

Hope you got my reply to your email last night.

There are no winners here if you leave, but there will be a loss if you do go so please reconsider and stay. If you have an opinion on a subject you are entitled to express it, and if someone does not agree with you then they should express their opinion in the same way as if they where faced to face with you.

If there is one thing I can't stand it's people being all brave while hiding behind a PC, where in the real world if they spoke to people like that they would get knocked the F**** out.

Look, you have posted over 5000+ times on this forum and you simply would not do that if you didn't get some sort of enjoyment from it. So don't let anyone push you out.

In my opinion I think you should use this thread to air your opinions and get everything out in the opening. It can make the world of a difference.

Hope you seriously reconsider leaving. It would be a loss to the forum and the community more importantly.

Kind Regards
James.

Fran,

Take some time off, c'mon down to my neck of the woods anytime between September 9 and 11th, and if the doctors give me the thumbs up on the second, I'll be sailing during that time frame. Pick up Donny on the way--he needs a break too!

Good Luck,

Gary

Hope you stay around Fran...we would definelty miss you...
Lee S.

Fran, stick around. Although I don't interact with you, you have a real knowledge base despite what may have transpired for you to leave. I gotta say when I had the Roland G70 (if it was only for a few months) you were very helpful with the Skype session we had. As I remember you spent a couple of hours one night sending me files via Skype and guiding me with where to place them. Too bad you're leaving.

"The terrorist have won."

Seriously Fran, if you leave, I won't have anyone to trade FRIENDLY barbs with. You know I actually like you, and I think that on some level, you (grudgingly) like me too (let's not forget our common 'philly' roots ). And lets not forget, in your day, you've dished it out with the best of them. I don't think there are too many on this forum with any tenure that haven't been 'bitch slapped' at some point - goes with the territory if you want to be a Synthzoner . So get off your high horse or this could ruin our road trip down to "Diki land" (remember). I'll be up that way in a couple of months; what say we meet at Bennie's (Cintioli's) or Gerson's (Medley). I'll buy lunch ($10.00 limit ).

chas

[This message has been edited by cgiles (edited 08-21-2009).]

Fran,

Don't leave, buddy...stick around. This place would not be the same without you.

We need somebody to put some negative posts about the Yamaha PSRs...we can't make them fast enough to meet the demand, so any help in knocking down their incredible popularity would be appreciated.

Seriously...keep posting...you'd be missed.

Ian

Fran, all you gotta do is turn the other cheek and don't bite the bait. Let 'em stew in their own juice.

And to add yet another cliche, stick around.

There's not a family on the planet that doesn't get into a spat now and again.

Fran.........weve discussed this many times and I understand you feelings on this decision, I know you better then most here and at this time in my life I have no better friend that is ALWAYS there for me & for that I'll publicly say "I LOVE YOU MAN".....The SZ isn't the "REAL DEAL" it used to be. Although I'm no angel, when I was banned due to the John DiLeo fiasco for a few weeks I felt an inner peace being away from here. I respect your decision and will also follow suit and stand down from SZ like the many others in the past due to the same reasons email me also if you want to discuss music or anything else my real friends.Enough is enough.....
let's just go get some breakfast

Fran, from taste in music, preferences in entertainers, "day Gigs", performance styles and many other areas, we're as different as two people can be.

But, once UD said you and Donny were OK, you were one of the folks I looked forward to reading. Agree with the content or not, yours were some of the first posts I read lots of years ago.

Hey, you were the only one I sent a genuine Kentucky "nugget" to, and that's got to stand for something.

I understand you being pissed that I traded my new G-70 without even turning it on, but leaving is a little extreme. OK, OK,
I'll actually turn on the SH-201 and GW-7 (not 8) and try them out.

You provide a degree of balance, which is needed. Opposing ideas and beliefs are healty.

Mainstays like you are one reason why I've hung around so long.

I hope you change your mind and stay.
Not going to don a chicken hat, but also hope Donny avoids getting in a "fowl mood" (hokey, I know) and continues here, also.

Russ



[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 08-21-2009).]

Fran ... from one 'quad state' (NY, NJ, PA, CT) paisano to another: "you ain't goin' nowhere, unnerstan'?!?!?" .... 'cause we're family, here, see, and family don't always get along, but the LOVE is still there, see?!? ...

Now, ya got ya show of support here, so stick around....
t.

PS ... and Donny, that goes for you too !!!
t.

[This message has been edited by tony mads usa (edited 08-21-2009).]

Its sad, people should try not to play or take it personally.... not in real life and not on the web...

But most of the time we barely succeed at that...

It would be sad if you leave this place, i always vallued your opinions very high.

I hope that you'll come back on these words after a short break from this place... All these kind words overhere should indicate that you will allways welcome back overhere.

Friggin' amazing... You can dish it out, but you can't take it?

If everyone that you have insulted, taken a dig at, made a snide remark to, insulted their arranger choice, hidden important flaws from, taken their help from and then turned around and denied it (and all the other things you have done in your years here), turned around and left in a huff with their ball, there wouldn't be much of a membership left.

Go, or leave, your choice... but don't for one minute think that the reason you are leaving isn't one that you haven't given to MANY people here, and they showed greater spine and perseverance. I could have left many times for the vile and personal things that some idiots here think is their right to say, but haven't. I have NEVER insulted you in as personal a fashion as even you yourself think it is OK to do. But it is YOU that think you've had enough.

Like I said, stay or go, your choice. But you won't hear me apologize for things I've said when you have NEVER apologized for your words. You can't have it both ways. If you can dish it out, you have to be able to take it...

I am sorry, but a 'blowhard' in my book is someone that posts utter BS, can't back it up with any music that proves his point, then walks off in a huff when everyone doesn't kowtow to his unquestioned correctness. I'm not right all the time, but when someone corrects me, I don't sulk.

There is only one thing more nauseating than the cliché of the grand exit online. And that is the all the "please don't go" posts the act is always intended to solicit.

Well I read Fran's post and I read Diki's post and I am sure I must have something to say to one or both but I'll be damned if I can think of what it could possibly be.
I guess for once in my life I am speechless.
Maybe I am worn out with the SJ too
Bebop

Look, I'm not trying to flog a dead horse here, but I have a question... WHY?

Has Fran ever posted any music that gave any indication that his opinion had any basis in reality? Just exactly what ARE anyone's criteria for 'valuing' an opinion..? Is it that he says things you already believe to be true, or is it simply the 'tone' of the post?

I know perhaps I'm going to get called elitist, here, but personally, I tend to 'value' opinions from those that have demonstrated they actually DO know what they are talking about. And I don't care whether I agree or disagree with their points, but at least they have shown that, if they are talking about making music on an arranger, and aspects thereof, that they actually CAN make music on an arranger that sounds better than a complete beginner.

Is that expecting too much? Am I being too harsh?

BTW, Seamaster, I wish I had your brevity (and so does most of the membership, I bet! )

Maybe you ought to take a look at the thread (or threads) that Fran is getting worked up about. Make your own mind up if he is being 'bullied' or not. Personally, if I spout utter nonsense and post complete falsehoods, I EXPECT to get called on it. If I post music that sounds terrible, after assuming the mantle of 'expert', I don't expect a pat on the back for it. I expect someone to go 'WTF are you talking about?!'

Fran does NOT post as a newbie. If he did, he wouldn't get the responses he does. But he hands out information as if he is the expert, and much of it is patently false. On top of that, the only time he posts any music not riddled with mistakes and bad sound is when he posts an SMF that someone else did (and try to quietly pass it off as his work), and even then he screws the sound up... Once again, all acceptable for a newbie (except the SMF part!), but Fran passes himself off as some kind of guru...

What are we supposed to do? Sit around circle jerking each other, or is this forum supposed to take the giving of advice and making operational pronouncements to less experienced players seriously? I couldn't seriously recommend this forum to ANYONE, beginner or more advanced player, if complete falsehoods and terrible playing from those that 'claim' a degree of experience are simply allowed to go uncommented, and with a pat on the back to boot...

What impression does it give of US? That we are so stupid we don't even recognize BS when we hear it?

I love Diki's posts. Mostly, I love his unswerving devotion to the total destruction of bullsh-t. However, if there were no bullsh-t for him to destroy, what would become of that wonderful prose that so stirs our passions? That's where Fran comes in.....and that is why we need Fran on this forum. I hope I have stated my case well.

Chas


PS: Of course Seamaster is right, but who cares. Deep down, Fran is a nice guy (by Philly standards). He just hangs with a bad crowd (can you spell John D). And not to worry, he'll be back. He's just waiting for the right 'pissin' contest to start up (hopefully involving Roland and Yamaha ).

Oh won't you stay-ay-ay, just a little bit longer...

Fran, you can come and go as you please. So we'll leave the light on...

And thank you for all the good advice you have given me - it's been worthless, er priceless!

Love you, man.

Hi Fran
Yes, I think we all know who they are.......so why don't we all IGNORE their inappropriate remarks and whenever we see their name attached to the post, just IGNORE it....life is too short
As I have written before, there are a lot of 'so-called' entertainers out there with only testosterone as their motivation.........


------------------
Eddie from Rotherham
Skype:eddiefromrotherham
www.yamahakeyboards.info

PSR9000

[This message has been edited by eddiefromrotherham (edited 08-21-2009).]

[This message has been edited by eddiefromrotherham (edited 08-21-2009).]

I've been around online communities in one form or another going right back to usenet twenty years ago, and I've seen it all before.



Diki's posts are the only reason I check in here, if I'm honest. He manifestly knows what he's talking about, and I respect that.

Diki is like me...sometimes people expect to just be nice to them no matter what and nice to
whatever music they post, we cant CLAP to anything so Diki isnt doing it either.

I really enjoy Diki's knowledgeability and his frankness.

Nevertheless, I think we should remember that the focus of this forum, keyboards - that they're just machines. They are just things. The people who are members should be treated more deferentially than the keyboards they talk about because they have feelings, emotions, soul, etc.

I don't know what history Diki has with Fran. I don't read enough posts here. But I do know that if there wasn't any history, that Diki's reply, while factually accurate, was heavy handed. There's a custom in the realm of courtesy called letting someone you disagree with save face. You don't even have to be all nicey nicey, but instead of saying, "You don't know your ass from a hole in the wall," you can say, "In all due respect, you don't know your ass from a hole in the wall." You can say, "Perhaps you haven't read the whole manual, but you are way off." You can say, "It's hard to lend credence to you as an expert on arrangers when you haven't posted your songs - why don't you?"

But as I said, I don't know what history Diki has with Fran, and Fran might have been rude to Diki in the past.

However, please correct me if my recollection is incorrect (and I will edit this post), Scott Yee, once posted a song that he did on his website, that Fran was among the people who gave scathing reviews, making fun of his voice in a meanspirited fashion. What I mean is that the purpose of the review wasn't to help Scott on the path of improving his song but rather to hurt his feelings.

In this light, it is surprising that Fran would be so sensitive.

I, being a Yamaha player, am on a different planet from Fran who is always slamming Yamaha, albeit sometimes in gest. But I appreciate his participation here on the forum. I will be sorry to see him go.

I think this is a pretty good forum, and we should let the shit slide off.

I remember when DNJ told me that he was shocked that I did 500 shows a year given how out of tune my voice was, I let it slide off - and I bought pitch correction software and several months later I started doing vocal training.

Beakybird

Same here. I have one of each (1 worthless, 1 priceless).

Priceless - Traynor K4, the best little standalone keyboard amp (in it's class) I've heard for organ and leslie sim.

Worthless - Podium 802's, currently sitting silently in my studio, a state in which they will likely remain (and yet, because of Fran's remarkable salesmanship (the ability to convince people that you know what you're talking about), I'm tempted to get a pair of 1502's. n-n-n-naaaah.

chas

PS: I'd like to say that the 802's would be good stage monitors, but I think the sound YOU hear should be just as good as what the audience hears. JMO. I have used them as extensions from the K4 and they were ok, the overall sound being dominated by the K4. But I'm straying off-topic. As always, when taking advice from unknown sources, caveat emptor.

I am not so very long on the forum but what what I like about Diki is and I hope I say this right in English he is honest and direct to the point. He knows what he is talking about and did his homework. Just my 2 cnts

Once you've been here long enough, history certainly does come into it. I'm sorry when newcomers or those that visit infrequently kind of get in the middle of these things, but, to be honest, Beakybird has pretty much summed it up...

You'll notice that i RARELY (if ever) respond as bluntly to those that don't use a self assumed mantle of 'expert' status to bully others. That, more than anything, is the thing that totally gets my goat, and makes my blood boil. Some of the MOST opinionated posters on this forum consistently post music that is amateur in most regards. Perhaps they can sing OK (some of them ), but playing skills are barely past beginner level. And yet these members take on the mantle of 'big brother', and sit and pass judgment and offer gear advice as if they were the best player out there...

And, I'm sorry, but as I said above, to 'value' someone's opinion, it has to be demonstrably right. You wouldn't take driving advice, or someone's opinion about a car, if their car showed signs of being crashed all the time! As to the Traynor's, chas... even a stopped clock is right twice a day! For every G70 or Traynor decision, you have a Podium or Mediastation to balance it! Buy as much as Fran does (and sell it e week later ) and you are bound to get SOMETHING right.

But in fairness, although my writing style is a little dry, ask yourself if you've seen me unload on some poor newbie... I honestly try to be as diplomatic as I can when posting to those that aren't forceful and blunt in their own views. But those that come here to lay down the law had better be able to back it up!

"Speak softly and carry a big stick...."
"Diplomacy -- the art of saying "Nice doggy" until you can find a stick"

Quotes from great men. Seems that both of them realize that diplomacy WITHOUT a stick is a recipe for getting rolled over on. Look up Neville Chamberlain if you don't believe me...

What i like about diki is that he will never admit that he is wrong... and that he sees hid opinions as the truth and the only truth...

Actually he keeps the forums alive and prevents people from falling asleep, thats for sure



[This message has been edited by Bachus (edited 08-22-2009).]

Diki
This is the first time I must disagree with you.

Diplomacy is the art of telling someone to go to hell and making them look forward to the trip.

You also have VLBST let’s see who can figure that one out.

I have really enjoyed your postings and you have to be one of the most articulate individuals I've ever come across. You certainly keep things interesting! Keep up the good work.

Jerry

Sorry, chum, but I am often proved wrong, here and in life in general. But that is all I'm asking for. PROVE me wrong...

I don't offer opinion only, without any evidence for it. Yes, my posts get a bit long winded, but that's mostly because I try to explain with example or reasoning. Having gone to that trouble, it's kind of hard to accept a simple 'you're wrong' and that's IT... Show me WHY I'm wrong, explain to me HOW I got it wrong, and I can learn from that. I may agree or disagree, but at least I know WHAT I'm agreeing or disagreeing with...

'I like Yamaha', 'I like Roland', 'I like Korg'... That doesn't really tell me much. But articulate why, and you'll find me often agreeing with what you say. There's MUCH I like about other arrangers, and much that I don't like about my G70. I have always been one of the few that saw beyond their personal choice to allow criticism of it, where due. Once again, fanboy gushing is another thing that gets my goat... No matter how well anything works for YOU (or me! ), there are still things that can be improved. I can think of LOADS I'd like Roland to improve... can't you acknowledge the same for your choice? Go on, try it... it doesn't hurt, really!

Diki the Wrong

Ya riightt..like that fat ass is ever gonna fit through the synthzone door..

Hi Diki,
how true.
I've read posts where you've complained about certain aspects of your G70, I don't beleive you've gone round trying to brainwash us into thinking we need to drop our current arranger & go buy a Roland.

You give us enough credit, that maybe the keyboard we have chosen to use, is the one that suits us best.

We've had a number of discussions on korg functions, anything from guitar mode to fills to importation of midifile to style blah blah blah. Probably not really of great interest to you ( not being a korg owner) but you've always listened & responded, probably because the information exchanged may be of interest to someone else. You're happy spending your time on hobbyists as well as on pro's.

One thing that is quite clear is that you can't stand misinformation being put out there.
Misinformation from high profile members, may skew their desicion about buying a certain board. Not everyone has the luxury of getting hands on experience before purchasing.

best wishes
Rikki

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Diki:
[B]
'I like Yamaha', 'I like Roland', 'I like Korg'... That doesn't really tell me much. But articulate why, and you'll find me often agreeing with what you say. There's MUCH I like about other arrangers, and much that I don't like about my G70. I have always been one of the few that saw beyond their personal choice to allow criticism of it, where due.

.... and NOW ..... back to the music ?!?!?

t.

Well I remember enough about "the Scott Yee incident(s)" to realise that Fran is being somewhat of a hypocrite when it comes to courteous treatment on these boards.

Diki, you have improved - marginally - with your behaviour, but being an expert or knowledgable on many (or any...?) Subjects does NOT give one the right to be blunt to the point of offence - which you have been many, many times in the past - in my opinion, oh... and maybe a few others?

The most improved member behaviour wise (if this isn't too OT - I guess it may well be) is Donny, as far as I'm concerned.

Fran, I think you're just blowing off steam, and you know you WILL come back - right???

Right?

This thread is magnetic...thoroughly engaging. As soon as I come in the door, I turn my computer on to see who's winning the latest rounds.

My opinion on this whole state of affairs is that Diki is a natural and should have his own late night talk show and possibly Fran could be the shill like David Letterman's Paul Schaeffer or Johnny Carson's Ed McMahon (or even like the Lone Ranger and Tonto).

On a serious note, I'd have to side with Diki's argument. When I first came into the SZ, I got my knickers in a twist with some of the keyboards and musical instruments that were recommended here by those who were just blowing wind. Now after a couple of years, I know who to listen closely to (Diki being one of them) and who to pass on.

The above paragraph is NOT about Fran but is about those who simply "blow wind!" I'm glad there's a Diki (and others) around to ride herd!

Lucky



[This message has been edited by Lucky2Bhere (edited 08-22-2009).]

this is terrible!
I couldn't wait to get my computer booted up so I could come and enjoy some more of this wild and crazy thread and it isn't even in the today's Active Topics Menu. I am really bummed out.
C'mon all you mouthy people, lets get back to the subject at hand. Y'all were doing so good.
I am posting this to get this thread back in the Active topics menu so the rest of our experts will see it and can post on this outstanding almost musical topic
Bebop

Ok, I'm guessing "very low bull sh-t tolerance". Do I win a chicken hat?

chas

And the winner is cgiles

That wasn't hard was it?

Jerry

I'll assume i was one of the dudes crossing the line,i just don't agree with making a reality show thread about my feelings and disappointments in people.All i meant was i don't believe Fran for a minute abbout leaving with his history & posting past.Past habits don't easily go the way of the do-do bird.I follow all that goes on here & cannot see how a entire thread being created was needed for..If i get upset at my kids do i say "that's it i'm out of here,later suckers"? No i go do the 'Break/timeout' thing..i suspect this Fran thread is about "let's see who will miss me"

Just like bygone times at Technics forum Bebop?
Seem to remember some "catfights" went on back then too .....




[This message has been edited by Gunnar Jonny (edited 08-23-2009).]

Well Diki humiliated him, and it must have hurt his feelings.

But I remember when Fran along with a couple of others completely excorciated Scott Yee's website demo (which I thought, while not beyond criticism, sounded pretty decent). When Scott said that he was leaving the forum, Fran pretty much said, "Good riddance."

If I dished it out like that, I would more than expect to get a dose of my own medicine.

I hope Fran - and Scott come back to the forum.

I've been slammed on this and other forums. You should cry and get over it. I've had people say my songs suck and my voice sucks. How do you think that feels? I have had people say I'm an ignoramous after getting many people involved for days in figuring out why I wasn't getting any sound out of EZDrummer, I figured out that all the tracks but the EZDrummer one were on solo.

People are never going to be as nice on the internet as they are in person. That's human nature.

Now the people at the Yamaha PK Owner forum are the nicest of any of the keyboard forums I've seen, but they have the imprimateur of Yamaha Corp so they have to be good sports.

Good luck Fran.

Beakybird

I must have missed that is there a link to what started all this?

Great Pic Gunnar

When i met LeeZone at the Jam in NYCr the first time i thought he had a gun with him
to protect himself from me...but imma meet Diki probably soon too...lol.

Will someone please tell me when the coronation ceremony for King Diki is? Just a few weeks ago we were all ganging up on him and his ruff attitude. Today he rides triumphant through the streets of the Synth Zone. All hail to King Diki. Long live the king!

I smell a palace coup...

Well, let them eat cake! Aprés Moi, le Deluge!

Seriously, this place isn't supposed to be populated by Kings and serfs. It's an anarchic communal collective... with only Nigel as final arbiter. Thank God at least HE has more sense than to take any of this seriously!

Diki - glad you took my comments as they were meant - in total jest.

Yeah, I think so too.
But, I've probably done a big crime now, because I found it on the web
and borrowed it to post here.
Sorry, no name to refer to regarding who captured the great shot, the
site where I found it probably did the same crime as me.

Cheers
GJ

Brian-I thought it was BUTT SCOOOTIN BOOGIE!
You mean I've been playing it incorrectly all these years?

Really enjoy the "razor sharp" but well-intentioned, hilarious "shots".


KEEP IT UP! And you're welcome in "ole Kaintuck" anytime.


"Redneck" Russ

Right on Gunnar, we did have some good ones over there in those good ol DAZE
Bebop