I am constantly amazed at the folks on this forum that download posted styles, midi files, and MP3s that never make a comment on what they just acquired free of charge. I, personally, find this offensive and never understand the reasoning behind it. Hey, you just got a present from someone that you have likely never met, never talked to on the telephone, yet you don't say things such as "Thanks", or "your style sounds like crap", or even "I would never use this piece of crap, especially on stage." Nah! Just grab the goodies and run like a thief in the night.

I guess I must be an old fogie after all. I always taught my children to be polite, say please and thank you, never wear a hat at the dinner table, you know, old fashioned stuff like that. Personally, I would love to know if something I posted for downloading sounded like crapola and the reasons why. But, I guess I will never know from this crowd.

All the best,

Gary (A card carrying member of the old fogies club.)

I believe I do thank those who sends me a gift, I’m always appreciative and thankful (and lucky) to receive it, I do it either via pm or here in public depending on how or where I receive them, there is where I’ll usually respond.

Gary, I guess opinions vary BUT....I feel that when you put something out there for public consumption, if it's in the TRUE spirit of giving/helping/sharing, (ie. not for the purpose of image enhancement or the admiration of others), then you should not expect anything in return (or feel slighted...."those unappreciative bastards"). If you do, then maybe you need to examine your own motives in putting it out there in the first place. For me personally, if someone makes something available to me that I didn't specifically ask for, and expects something from me in return, I DON'T WANT IT. But then again, this is just MY opinion and in most cases, if I do use something that is offered in this manner, I almost always will say "thank you". Besides, if they don't say anything, how would you even know they took/used it? Again, JMO.

chas

Chas, just looking at the number of downloads tells you right away how many folks have consumed the file - pretty easy to understand. However, I, for one, always wish to know if what I uploaded is of the best quality, and if possible, how can I improve the quality that would be helpful to forum members. When there is absolutely no response, then there is no way of knowing your upload needs attention or improvements to make it beneficial to others. I really have no ulterior motive and seek aggrandizement - I just wish to know if the styles I've uploaded are worthwhile - nothing more, nothing less. If they're not up to snuff, tell me what is, or is not, working so I can make them more suitable.

Cheers,

Gary

Gary, not being argumentative and I accept your stated motive...BUT, you did start the initial post with "I, personally, find this offensive" which is sort of 'shaming'. If the contributor wants 'feedback', then they should so state, else it's just like pulling something off the internet (of which no one says 'thanks'). If you want something in return for your offerings, then you should say so, otherwise it's just another public resource. I'm not saying you're wrong; I'm just saying we have a different point of view. ( I can see the sides already starting to line up). That's okay. Almost everything on this board is treated as a popularity contest. I tend to never win those .

chas

Most Forums have a THANK YOU Button for just this purpose.
Members who download without clicking the THANK YOU button get band

So Graham, is a mandatory 'thank you' worth anything? It's like those obligatory "thank you for your service" from store clerks when you have to identify yourself as a vet (Lowe's/Home Depot,etc.) to get that 10% discount .

chas

Gary my friend,

You hit the nail on the head. EXACTLY. After many thousands of uploads everywhere, you put my feelings into words.

Tx for mentioning although I doubt it will change anything. The average human is a selfish animal indeed.

Cheers,

Henni

Henni: You have shared with everyone on this forum, multitudes of sounds and styles that I know, you have put your heart and soul into. I, for one, have always appreciated your efforts. Although I no longer have a Yamaha instrument...it doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate your hard work and dedication to your craft. If I haven’t responded...it in no way diminishes the appreciation I feel for your efforts. The same goes for all who who are willing to share their hard work...whether for feedback or for listening pleasure.

I would like to think that this forum provides an element of unconditional appreciation for the work of its members. I know that is how I feel.

Mitch

I for one do not comment on every post I listen to though I believe I learn a little something from everyone of them. In fact I was watching an old post of keyboard america's presentation of Peter B's on the Tyros yesterday and picked up a playing tip I believe I can use on my 3000. The OP hasn't changed that much so things these pro's do are possible on some of the older kb's if we try. I always try and leave positive feedback when appropriate.

It's all down to Politeness.

A THANK YOU Button gives the one who shares Acknowledgement.

Gary, just wondering did someone or something specifically annoy you enough to post this?

No, this has been festering in my mind for years. I have always been a giving, caring individual that tried to help others to the best of my ability. I guess the straw that broke the camel's back was the last two style files I posted, both of which had a couple dozen downloads, and not a single comment, positive or negative. WTF!

Gary

Gary,my friend, it's frustrating, I know, but as the Swami says ...
"Ask nothing; want nothing in return. Give what you have to give; it will come back to you, but do not think of that now"
Swami Vivekananda

Gary, as far as I am concerned you are by far the biggest giver I know. What you have done for Yamaha users is fantastic. Having that gift, ability, should bring satisfaction and contentment. Waiting on the conduct of people normally brings disappointment.

I do not feel that people mean any disrespect, they just think differently, or not at all. The nature of man has always been in question.

The positive side – you are very well respected on this forum, so the flag you are waving will be noticed by many. And that is the best you can do. Amen! Now get back to working on your health and recoding some more songs.
Gary, I may have not acknowledged your post with The Nearness of You, but you motivated me. I have been working on the song since you posted it.
Gary, your pot is filled with goodies, a little stirring is not a bad thing. You just added something to this forum.

Time for a smile, well done my friend, John C.

Thanks John, I really do appreciate your comments. I guess depression is getting the best of me with the downturn in my pulmonary condition during the past few weeks, which has worsened considerably. Slowly suffocating to death is incredibly difficult to deal with and now I can no longer sing with the degree of quality I had just a year ago.

Thanks again,

Gary

Henni, you said it all in EIGHT words!

Gary...that was a great topic you brought up, leading to some poignant and diverse comments. I wouldn't apologize ("I guess depression is getting the better of me"). You spoke up for a lot of us who DON'T bother to.....SPEAK UP.

I'm fed up also with today's manners, or rather lack of manners. From holding the door open for a lady at the supermarket to doing direct favors for friends. It's always the same. Either no "thank you's" or a feeble gesture equivalent to automatically pressing the "thank you button" attached to their forehead.

Unfortunately, the desire to help others is in the DNA of some of us. I still help people, when possible, but these days I'm less eager, more selective and more aware of the results....there will be no thanks...period.

As Henni said:"The average human is a selfish animal indeed!"

Well, Gary. b4 you go I want to be sure you know how thankful I am for all the help you have given me and for selling me your 3000. I have enough kb to keep me busy for a long long time thanks to you. I like everyone else here lusts for the newest and best but seriously wonder if it wouldn't be a real waste of $ when I'm still figuring out how to better use what I have! Take care ol buddy.

Thanks guys. The past 3 days have been extremely difficult as this nasty disease continues to progressively worsen. I went to the boat today, mainly just to make sure the dock lines were in place and pick up the portable generator for my son to use on his boat this weekend. Fortunately, there are a couple younger guys there that helped me load the generator into the car and I was able to drive home on portable oxygen.

Hopefully, when the weather cools a bit, I will be able to take my daughter and her boyfriend out on an overnight trip down the bay. I may have a buyer for the boat in mid August, not sure yet, though. If I kick the bucket before then, I'll will it to Captain Russ or maybe Chas.

All the best to everyone,

Gary

No thanks. There is nothing worse (or more expensive) than having a boat, plane, or motorhome that you can no longer use (for whatever reason). If you do kick the bucket though, I'll take whatever is left of that stack of steaks in the freezer...oh, ok, I'll take any leftover Jim Beam Honey too (although I don't think there's going to be much of that left ). But wait; are you going to come back and haunt me if I forget to say 'thanks'? . Anyhow, maybe we'd better wait and see who goes first. If it's me, I'll leave you an autographed picture of Hillary Clinton. Hey Gary, look at the bright side; at least we don't have to worry about going to hell . BTW, Russ will really enjoy that boat; I don't think there is a single body of water in the entire state of Kentucky .

chas

Russ has Lake Cumberland, which is fairly large, but getting the boat there over land is out of the question. The beam is 13 feet wide and from the keel to the top of the cabin is about 14 feet, way too high and wide for the interstate highway system restrictions. He would have to fly here to use the boat. I hope to take him out on it before I take the dirt nap, but the way things have been going lately I'm not sure this will happen.

I have an autographed photo of Donald Trump for you, Chas. It goes in the mail the day I croak!

The day I die, my wife, or children, will make a telephone call to the Maryland Anatomy Board at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. They'll come to where I am, pick up my nasty-assed old corpse, haul me off the the Anatomy Lab where some kid in med school will be learning human anatomy, maybe learn how to do a proper surgical procedure, or two without throwing up. After a year of disecting this old codger, they send me downstairs to the cremation oven, turn me into dust, then put me in a box to be delivered back to my family for internment at the nearby cemetery in the veterans plot. The only charge will be for internment. All of the other stuff is at no charge. Bet this will really piss off the funeral industry.

I told my wife and kids to have one Hell of a wake when I die, celebrate all the neat things I did in my life, and be glad I was there for them for all those wonderful years.

All the best,

Gary

Gary, just could not let your post go by without putting in my 2 cents . . .
In all the years that I have frequented this forum on and off, you have always been one of the most helpful, patient, kind and giving people that I have been lucky enough to be associated with! Heck, I might have given up on arrangers years ago if you hadn’t helped me through a couple of frustrating moments!!!

Please take care of yourself, and know that you are in my thoughts, and I am forever grateful for all that you do!

Too late Gary, I already have one.....superimposed on my Dart board . Pssstttt, even though we're just nudging each other, we'd better cut it out before some of our more 'sensitive' members get upset .

chas

Jill, thank you so very much for the compliments, and I was so happy that I could assist you over some of the difficult times with the arranger keyboard.

Chas, yeah, you're probably right.

All the best,

Gary

Gary....
I am as appreciative as Jill.
Eddie

Thanks Ed, I really appreciate your friendship over all these years.

Gary