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Just a quick word....
Okay. Firstly I haven't been here for as long as many of you have, secondly I probably don't spend as much time on these forums as you guys do - I usually just pop in every other day for 10-15 minutes, post a couple of replies in the music section, quickly browse through the Chill Out Room if I have time and then bugger off again. Having said that, I have been involved with these sorts of music forums for a while now: I've been part of the homeofmusic.com forums for nearly 18 months now, and of the promos 4 djs forum for about 5 months, a preferred member for the majority of that time. During all this time, in all my experience, I have never witnessed any fights on either of these two forums (apart from a fairly big debate on HoM regarding shared lockers being deleted and over-posting, but this was resolved fairly quickly and effectively given the magnitude of the problems) and whatever minor disagreements that arise are solved quickly, quietly and privately, which brings me to some of the issues being raised on this forum.
Firstly there's this thing with Palivar. Fortunately, seeing as my computer is configured properly at the moment, I haven't been subjected to his sound files, but I have noticed his irrelevent posts and can understand why some of you may consider him to be a spammer, even though I personally don't mind him. I do know that many of you don't share my views though, as demonstrated by the two thread that were created not to try and alleviate any problems he may be causing, but simply to flame him and to publicly voice your greivences with him. Do you honestly think that this approach is going to solve your problems?
This brings me to my second point: all the unnecessary arguments and personal attacks. It seems like whenever someone on this board has even the most petty objection to something that anyone else has said, they jump on them immediately, often making unwarranted personal attacks on the person who made the comment they took a dislike to. Of course once someone makes public their views about another individual, the person being attacked retaliates, and what was originally a harmless personal opinion or judgement degenerates into a flame war between two people too proud to back down. This thread is a perfect example. Now I don't know DJ Martijn or any of the people involved here, but it seems to me like this thing could be solved privately without the need to make a public display and run the significant risk of starting another argument.
Another example is the thread that Paul Wilson started regarding Palivar. I can understand why Paul would be so pissed off about Palivar (again, even though I don't have any issues with the guy) but starting a thread about it seemed fairly unnecessary seeing as there were better alternatives available (like contacting the mods or Swamper to deal with it in a more efficient manner) and the fact that there was a similar thread open about the same issue anyway. Having said that, those who entered into the discussion on the thread and either had a go at Paul or Palivar were just as bad, if not worse. If you have a problem with Paul, it's much easier and far more effective to contact him in private and discuss it civilly, rather than just launching into personal attacks.
I guess the point of this post is simply to advise you all on how to show some restraint when dealing with people who you may disagree with. The issue you have with them is either worth bringing up privately or not: if it's worth bringing up in private then do it if it makes you feel better, but if you don't feel that it's worth bringing up privately, then it can't be an overly serious issue and so is not worth airing publicly in any threads, and running the risk of starting a flame war. These little (and very unnecessary arguments) are threatening to tear this place apart. You wouldn't start an argument with a stranger on the street about many of the issues being argued about here, so why would get into an argument with other members of this forum?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we should just nod and agree with everything that everyone says because that would make this forum a very boring place. We need differing view points and civil debate is a very healthy thing, but some of you clearly need to learn the difference between a quiet debate and an all out flame war. If you continue to flame and attack other people whimsically like this, this forum could go to shit very quickly. If you have a problem with anyone, don't retaliate or flame them, either sort it out with them privately or, failing that, get in contact with one of the mods or Swamper to resolve the issue for you. I can't see why that would be too much to ask.
So you can take this post in one of two ways: either I'm a newbie riding on a high-moral horse who doesn't know what he's talking about and is just posting this message to stir, or I'm an individual with genuine concern with the direction that this forum could be potentially heading in. Take it either way you want, I'm not concerned, just so long as you at least appreciate what I have to say.
This is a great forum guys, with some genuinely fantastic people, just don't let it fall apart because of some petty disagreements. We're all here because we share a deep love for music, just keep that in mind next time you want to flame someone. Let's just get along and be friendly - that way everone wins. 
Peace.
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Krazy!
