Is the ANZLF a democracy?

[Bob Connor]

Is the ANZLF a democracy?

No it's not.

It was set up by me because I wasn't that happy with other forums I was on.

The server that this forum runs on is in my house. It runs 24/7. I pay the electricity bill.
I can't get a DSL connection where I live so I pay a premium to be on a cable service that will give my web server reasonable response times.

I have also spent a lot of my time, money and energy educating myself to be in a position where I can configure and administer this technology so that it works.

It is run by a team of volunteers in whom I have avbsolute faith.

We do not charge our preferred vendors nor do we solicit for business.

I travel to the USA every two years to buy wood for luthiery and build contacts with those who are well recognised and are trusted in the industry. I also listen to their advice on where they are sourcing their supplies and base a lot of my decisions on what they have to say. This also costs but as well as getting to select the best instrument woods I get to hear of trends and suppliers from an international perspective.

So there is good reason why our preferred vendors are designated as such and good reason why I am very reticent about adding any extra.

Yes. There have never been any rules posted here and there probably won't ever be.

I would expect that good manners would dictate that any fair and reasonable person would ask if it is OK before they advertise goods and services here.

So if you are looking for a democratic forum you won't find it here.

If that doesn't suit you perhaps you should look elsewhere.

[Puff]

I reckon anyone I would consider fair and reasonable should be able to live with that. Thanks Bob

[Taffy Evans]

Hi Bob, I don't know if I missed something, is someone putting crap on you and/or the forum? Just to let you know that things are fine the way they are as far as I am concerned, and I do appreciate the efforts you and your helpers put in to make it work, and the input from other members.
It might be a case of "if you cant stand the dust, dont come in the workshop"?

Anyway thanks Bob and all.

[woodrat]

Hi Bob, I would just like to say that I appreciate the privilege of being a member of this forum and also appreciate what it has brought me in the way of wider contacts, knowledge and sources of all things lutherie. I do not mind that it is not a democracy and seeing that it is your forum for all the reasons that you outlined above I am more than happy to associate on those terms. In a word the forum is....Great.

John the WoodRat

[kiwigeo]

Hi Bob, I don't know if I missed something....

Na nothing happened on the forum this week Taff...just an average run of the mill week on the ANZLF

[Kim Strode]

Hi All

I check-in and read posts on the ANZLF at least twice a day, if not more. I'm a rather solitary character, so being able to at least read what everyone else is doing, is really good for my soul and enables me to feel part of a wider community with similar interests.

For a bloke who lacks a sense of humour, I regularly get a chuckle from the dry sense of humour that pervades this forum.

Thank you Bob and all the moderators who work tirelessly to keep this forum going. I'm totally supportive of allowing you guys to run the forum anyway you think fit - I trust you completely.

[kiwigeo]

- I trust you completely.

If you trust us completely then you wont mind if we "borrow" your tonewood stash??

[Tonxi]

I live on a shared property with 100 others. We tried democracy and nothing got done. Now the people who start and run projects are the only ones who have a say (unless you want to impinge on someone else). We have never looked back and are projects are far grander and numerous than before.
I am quite new here and I have found it to be a fantastic resource.
You are all doing a fantastic job and providing something you should be proud of.
I for one am very grateful.
Keep up the good work.

[DarwinStrings]

Viva la Presidente.

Jim

With a grin

[ozziebluesman]

This is a great little community and I spend at least half an hour a day reading all the posts. I'm eager to learn about lutherie and here is the golden opportunity to gain advice from very knowledgeable people in guitar building circles. I have also gained many good friends here as well! I would be very sad if I couldn't get my daily fix at the ANZLF.

Thanks Bob and the moderators and administators for developing such a wonderful forum. I respect your decisions as I know it is in the welfare of all who gather here and talk guitars.

Cheers

Alan

[Chalks]

Don't really know what to say Bob!

Bugger the democracy.

Chalks

[nutsdan]

Majority rules does not work in a mental institution

[kiwigeo]

Majority rules does not work in a mental institution

Oh sh*t nutsdan has just blown our cover.....Uncle Bob's nuthouse has just been totally busted.

[Lillian]

Not sure what the big deal is. It's Bob's house. It's Bob's rules.

We're all guests here and can leave at any time. Or stick around and raid the fridge. Up to you. The door is never locked.

[Allen]

I've been to Bob's and he stocks his fridge with nice beer and great wine. Makes a terrific cuppa coffee too. I think I'll stick around.