12485 Thanks!

Before everyone heads for the hills and disappears completely from my virtual life, I’d just like to say a huge THANK YOU to IM forum members who have entertained, informed and helped me over the years.

One member, your know who your are ([B]JC[/B]!) went above and beyond to assist me in my overnight stay in Naples last fall. This gesture is only outshone by JC’s extraordinary efforts to raise funds for the earthquake victims. Kudos to [b]Ghania[/b] who is the only person I’ve come across who would sell his body to also bolster the Fund:laughs:

Then there were the pleas to find homes for the rescued puppies and the amazing response from members, who ensured that they all went to good homes. (Sorry, I’m too lazy to look up the threads).

What a fantastic bunch of people you all are!

I also want to thank [B]Aunty P[/B] and [B]Nielo[/B] and all participants for causing me to wet myself with laughter in their Agony Aunt and I’m Bored threads.

As someone who doesn’t post that much, I’ve not got involved in the heated discussions that have taken place recently. I have however, put myself in the shoes of the people posting about their frustrations with other member(s), and staff and can certainly empathize with their plight.

I haven’t registered for the new place because it seems to me that some of the people that made this place an interesting and fun one to visit, will not be there and so (for me), it won’t be the same. I know I won’t be missed, but I’ll miss [B]you[/B]! :wubclub:

Gerry

Category

Circolo di Conversazione

Odd - I thought these forums [fora?] closed yesterday?

Hi Gerry

Glad to have been of assistance - you know that. Although you may not feel like joining the new place ItalyMag has opened, you may feel like joining another forum where all the names you mention as being the interesting and fun ones have gone to live. You'd be very welcome as our resident lurker - and even more welcome to join in with your posts. :yes:

You can find the forum I'm talking about by clicking the link here -->[B][url=http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk]Italia Uncovered[/url][/B]

I look forward to seeing you there - where all the things you have enjoyed on this forum will (and do already) continue to happen. :bigergrin:

Al, closed to posting 15th of June I believe.
A

Yes it will be a sad day, for many, when Italy Mag - as we know it - finally closes it's doors on the 15th ('or before' the man said) to any new membership and moves 'lock stock and barrel' to the Piazza and the new Community.

I've been accepted over there, but still find it difficult to navigate or understand. But that's me I guess. Not sure if I'll stay though - I don't 'think' I'm going to fit in. There seemed to be much more opportunity of interaction and the chance to help others right here, and I'm perhaps too old to change my ways or my expectations of others.

I've enjoyed helping quite a few people here, with both anecdotal evidence and the odd translation here and there and I've enjoyed [U][I]every[/I][/U] minute of it (spats and all), so I reckon I've paid my dues and don't owe anyone anything.

But I suppose only time will tell if the new place will stand up to scrutiny by it's clientele, and whether it will ever be as popular (warts and all) as THIS version!

Personally - I think not!

Well Carole,I suppose that if the main personalities were to join the new community then we could still have quality conversation and debate. As for the layout and functionality, I believe that it is still very much subject to change. It is at the moment very confusing. Not just because I don't know my way around but it just is. In groups, new posts are not always tagged as such so it is very easy to miss some material. Early days.
In a perfect world, the new thing would have been launched fully formed and tested. But perfect world? Is that Venus?:bigergrin:

[quote=GerryH;121464]
I haven’t registered for the new place because it seems to me that some of the people that made this place an interesting and fun one to visit, will not be there and so (for me), it won’t be the same. I know I won’t be missed, but I’ll miss [B]you[/B]! :wubclub:

Gerry[/quote]
I beg to differ Gerry - you, and all the others who were normal & adult enough to have a laugh at/with the antics & arguments alike, and to filter out the excellent opinion & advice from the playground stuff (using that marvelous invention, the brain) without resorting to the yellow triangle WILL -or at least should be - be missed.

I started as a lurker, eventually got sucked in, and latterly reverted to skulking around in the background again because I couldn't be arsed with having to call a spade a "long handled digging implement" here to avoid upsetting the more delicate sensibilities.

I think the people who made the site fun for you to visit know and appreciate that they had an 'audience' of sorts, and the occasional well placed Grazie never went unnoticed or unappreciated. Not that i speak for them obviously, but when I used to be more of a participant than of late, I always tried to help make the site FUN as well as informative.

There's more than one type of fun of course - that's eminently clear from the polarisation of views & attitudes here - and on balance, I think Ronald has done us all a favour by giving fence sitters a clear choice of what type of experience we're looking for (and where we can find it).

I'd echo Gerry's sentiments to members past/present who've frustrated, amused & informed me over the years - no name checks, I'm sure you all know who you are.

I guess all that's left of the old forum now is a sort of glorified obituary column - would be nice to see a few more lurkers come in from the cold to say goodbye before Ronald turns out the lights?

Excellent points Pigro.

As for the epitaph, how shall it read?

[quote]I guess all that's left of the old forum now is a sort of glorified obituary column - would be nice to see a few more lurkers come in from the cold to say goodbye before Ronald turns out the lights?[/quote]

Nice post and well said, ... you often played the devils advocate and tried to walk a middle line, when I joined the forums I also tried this but obviously wasn't so sure footed, because when I expressed my own opinions I was toppled sideways eventually.
Will miss your views and opinions Pigro.
....BUT.... disagree strongly with your last line.
I have already reserved that job.
I will clean out my desk, pack the virtual photos of friends from off the top of it, turn out the lights and quietly close the door as I leave.
Ronalds job will then consist of wearing the peaked cap and patrolling the grounds to prevent break ins and illicit cider parties on premises in the future. :winki:

[quote]Ronalds job will then consist of wearing the peaked cap and patrolling the grounds to prevent break ins and illicit cider parties on premises in the future. :winki:[/quote]

This reminded me of a poster that was on the London Underground some years ago and it went something like this:

[CENTER][B][COLOR=Red][SIZE=4][FONT=Comic Sans MS]"I [U]AM[/U] the Leader!"
:policeman:

"What shall we do next?"
:wideeyed:
[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER]

Illicit cider parties??? where?????

Why all the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth? There will still be an Italy Mag Forum, and anyone can still join. It will look different, and its layout will take a bit of getting used to, but actually this was proposed at least a year or more ago anyway. If it will be more closely moderated, so that those who combine a quick wit with a nasty tongue have to rein in the latter, I can't see a problem with that. And given the number who have already joined, it seems the majority agree. Those who say that it will be boring because certain more "colourful" characters won't be around are plain wrong. The alternative site being promoted by those same characters has been used in the past for really virulent and misrepresentative attacks. Hopefully that won't happen this time around , so good luck to those who want to go down that route, but the main event is still over here.

[quote=annec;121480]Why all the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth? There will still be an Italy Mag Forum, and anyone can still join. It will look different, and its layout will take a bit of getting used to, but actually this was proposed at least a year or more ago anyway. If it will be more closely moderated, so that those who combine a quick wit with a nasty tongue have to rein in the latter, I can't see a problem with that. And given the number who have already joined, it seems the majority agree. Those who say that it will be boring because certain more "colourful" characters won't be around are plain wrong. The alternative site being promoted by those same characters has been used in the past for really virulent and misrepresentative attacks. Hopefully that won't happen this time around , so good luck to those who want to go down that route, but the main event is still over here.[/quote]

You really don't know when to stop do you annec?

When you say the 'alternative site being promoted' - do you mean Italiauncovered where YOU are still a member and where the most "virulent and misrepresentative of attacks" ever made on Italiauncovered was written and posted by YOU - or have you conveniently forgotten that?

Hypocrite. :yes:

[quote] If it will be more closely moderated, so that those who combine a quick wit with a nasty tongue have to rein in the latter, I can't see a problem with that. [/quote]

But annec, the problem is that you have already joined,
Are there absolutely NO mirrors in your house ?

[quote] ..............And given the number who have already joined, it seems the majority agree. .........[/quote]

Maths was obviously never your strong point, I wouldn't consider 80, 100 or even 200 out of 7,000 to come anyway near making up a majority. But you always thought that you were a majority even when you were singing solo.

...."Sigh"..... thanks JC and Torch for proving my point. And yes I joined IU openly as a member in its early days out of interest. But I haven't logged in or posted for ages because I didn't like it. Didn't know you could de-register. As for attacks, I've never said anything more than I've said on this forum, and am quite happy to accept your superior powers in that regard JC.

AnneC the reason I came out of the woodwork and started this thread was to express how sad I am at the closure of [B][I]this forum[/I][/B] which IMO has shown itself to be a [B][I]true community[/I][/B] and a place where I enjoyed visiting every day. BTW I looked forward to reading posts by "the colourful characters" - they made this place interesting :yes:

[quote=annec;121484]...."Sigh"..... thanks JC and Torch for proving my point. And yes I joined IU openly as a member in its early days out of interest. But I haven't logged in or posted for ages because I didn't like it. Didn't know you could de-register. As for attacks, I've never said anything more than I've said on this forum, and am quite happy to accept your superior powers in that regard JC.[/quote]

And we thank you in return for proving ours. Now, as there is only a little while left, I respectfully ask you to let it be. That's at least twice in the past week I have requested you to please let things pass. I doubt three strikes is lucky - even for a smoker! :no:

Not up to you to tell me what I can and cannot post JC. If you want to take your own advice, feel free.

I didn't tell you what you can or cannot post - I respectfully asked you to let it be - didn't I?

Easy now girl - don't retaliate - remember anne you are the calm sensible one - aint cha?. :bigergrin:

Anne
Sorry you were not over in time to come to the picnic at San Ruffino today, good food , good company and lots of ideas for the Marche groups fund raising, old friends dropped in and we had a good time. Jess one of Sullys pups kept nicking the football of some young Italian hopefulls (probably thought she was a wolf).
The bad news is we are all coming to your Art Exhibition!
Ax

I'll put a guard on the canapes A&R. It'll be great to see you all
A
xx

Hmmm, AnneC.

I joined in on Gerry's thread 'cos it struck a chord with me; I didn't detect any gnashing of teeth (prior to your post, and any gnashing since is as a result of that post). It was just someone owning up to having been in the 'minority' who liked the more 'cut & thrust' nature of the old days, and saying "cheers" in a pleasant way.

I actually thought the remaining minority had the old place all to ourselves now that the mainstream have departed to pastures new and the condemned signs are up around the perimiter ... didn't expect that there would still be anyone around here wanting to stir up the dust.

I think I can say with confidence that all the posters still here are fully aware of all of the facts you quoted about our options to join in the brave new world (or not); we're fully aware that "the main event" is now elsewhere. That's the point of this thread - it's a done deal, This is an ex-forum; it has ceased to be; it's shuffled off this mortal coil & joined the choir invisible etc. etc. We're just saying our goodbyes to each other.

Now surely you know it's bad form to barge into a wake and bait the mourners, no?

I (as Torch pointed out) ALWAYS walked my own line on here; if anyone thinks I'm 'aligned' they are reading me very wrong. So, Anne, I have nothing against you (on the contrary, I've always liked your contribution, and you're far from the caricature that JC likes to paint of you during pantomime season). So, I have no axe to grind ... but I do question your motive for your post as it really had nothing meaningful to say and nobody to say it to - every one left here has already thought about their options and made their own decisions.

So, say goodbye or just say nothing (on this subject) would be my advice in this case?

Torch - personally, I can think of nothing more pointless than trying to infiltrate the piazza ... the reality is that everyone is entitled to the space they want to inhabit, let'em be. Even JC must by now be well sick of it & (I reckon) it's too much effort for too little return. Focus your efforts on building a constructive but more boisterous/liberal alternative .. if you (collectively) can do that, I may be unable to resist Anasatasia's pursuasions for much longer ...

Noma - no need for an obituary while the old content stays publically accessible, and if one was required, I doubt i'd be best qualified to compose it. However, since you ask, its been done before but "mostly harmless" seems fair enough to me.

Pigro - come closer - just a bit closer so I can persuade you - and I'll even allow you to spell Anastasia any way you like. :winki:

oooh! chase me! chase me!! (to be screamed in a camp voice and accompanied by a camp run).

Just be lucky I didn't call you Anars-tasia (it's this goddam freudian keyboard doncha know) :-)

Bravo [B]Pigro[/B] for your ^^ post - I couldn't have said it better myself (so I won't even try).

So on that note...I'll sign off.

Hey listen to be called Anars-tasia is nothing compared to some of the names some of the people on this forum have called me - funny thing is - they think I don't know - but I do - I do! :yes:

Run Pigro Run! :bigergrin:

Thanks for the post Pigro. But I've been here from the beginning and I'm entitled to be here to the end. There's been a lot of rubbishing of the new place here over the last couple of weeks, and that's what I was reacting to. I wasn't planning to post again on this thread, but would like to apologise if you or Gerry felt I was trying to bait you, since actually I was just trying to stick up for the "rest". I don't do ulterior motives.

I've always respected your contributions, Pigro,and you've always put things better than I can. I wish you all the best for the future

Hey was going to post pigro but past my watershead, better thoughts in the morning. But remember how much of this is "real", yes I have my good friends here, but for me that is enough, not sure what is the agenda for everyone else.
Blast have posted. Oh and Misha my darling boy whom has featured much in my posts and much in my amazing reponses, has made the forum a brilliant place for me, actually dont give a stuff for the cut and thrust and edge of other posters, when you live here full time you need the good guys.
A

no prob's Anne - but I don't think "the rest" really need stuck up for ... there's lots of them, so they can huddle together for moral support if required :-)

[quote=Carole B;121478]This reminded me of a poster that was on the London Underground some years ago and it went something like this:

[CENTER][B][COLOR=Red][SIZE=4][FONT=Comic Sans MS]"I [U]AM[/U] the Leader!"
:policeman:

"What shall we do next?"
:wideeyed:
[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER][/quote]

Was it this one?

[quote=Angie and Robert;121502]Hey was going to post pigro but past my watershead, better thoughts in the morning. But remember how much of this is "real", yes I have my good friends here, but for me that is enough, not sure what is the agenda for everyone else.
Blast have posted. Oh and Misha my darling boy whom has featured much in my posts and much in my amazing reponses, has made the forum a brilliant place for me, actually dont give a stuff for the cut and thrust and edge of other posters, when you live here full time you need the good guys.
A[/quote]
Hi Angie. I don't understand some of your post but I think I get your drift.

I like the emotional stuff; I like being able to say what i think, I like it when others care enough to post the odd eccentric message post-watershed too! How much of this is real ... now that's quite a philosophical question. For me, very little - but Idon't live in Italy & I think that makes aworld of difference.

popping away from keyboard now to drink Primitivo & munch antipasti. Buon notte to one & all.

[quote]
Torch - personally, I can think of nothing more pointless than trying to infiltrate the piazza ... the reality is that everyone is entitled to the space they want to inhabit, let'em be. Even JC must by now be well sick of it & (I reckon) it's too much effort for too little return. Focus your efforts on building a constructive but more boisterous/liberal alternative .. if you (collectively) can do that, I may be unable to resist Anasatasia's pursuasions for much longer ...
[/quote]

Hi Pigro, sorry I was probably a bit cryptic, I agree with you that the only thing more pointless in me wanting to infiltrate the Piazza is for me to join it openly.
I am not happy with the quality of moderation here ( if you dont agree with me anyone, please dont argue as I am not trying to convert anyone, [B]I am stating an opinion[/B] ) so because of that dissatisfaction I do not feel like joining the new Piazza, what has convinced me 100% not to join it was the likes of annec and others who did. I would not contemplate in sharing a room with people like annec & violetta in real life so there is no way I would volunteer to do so in a virtual world as well.
Doing so undercover would only lower myself to the level of theones who use virtual IDs to do their dirty work for them, like Campfield and others I could name eh Noma ? * and others you are not alone in this and I believe one or to of the trogs have accompanied there masters into the Piazza)
Pigro, I was alluding to me reserving the job of turning out the lights as, when this forum finishes I will stay with honest posters on other forums, who if they disagree with my opinions do not turn it into a vendetta like they did here. My reference to Ronnie patrolling the grounds etc was that he will still be in charge of the old defunct site here, like a nightwatchman on a derelict factory. maybe I was too cryptic. If JC does persuade you Pigro, I think you will find it to be a good site for your wit, intellect, knowledge and abilities, and would like to think that I will still be able to trade posts with you there as well.
Hopefully this now clears up the confusion I may have caused, as I have NEVER had a second ID here and have no intention of doing so abroad.

Worry not, I shall be here to turn out the lights and make sure no one gets left behind.