So long, and thanks for the memories

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Troy Piggins - 28 Jul 2008 06:30 GMT

I'd just like to thank all the people in this group who have
commented and critiqued photos I've posted, or answered questions
I've asked. I have learnt from each of you and, hopefully, will
be able to recall your advice and put it into practice next time
I shoot.

It saddens me to say I don't think I'll be reading or posting in
this group much any more. While most have been very helpful and
friendly to me personally, I can no longer read the off-topic
flame-wars that are becoming more abusive and prevalent to the
extent where they are drowning out the real purpose of this
group. Yes, that's right - it's a photography group. It's at
the point where not many of the regulars can simply post a photo
and expect to receive a simple, on-topic compliment or critique.

I must say that the behaviour of some here make me embarrassed to
be Australian. We are supposed to be more tolerant than that.

I'll never understand how things got to this point. I know there
is history there since way before my first time here. Some
distorted form of the history gets posted here on a daily basis,
so no need to explain. I'm sure it's all a blurry, messy memory
for all involved.

Sorry. Enough of my ranting, I don't mean this to be a lecture.
Just trying to explain why you've driven at least one person
away.

I might continue to post in some of the rec.photo.* groups. They
seem to have a better signal to noise ratio. For now.

Thanks again and good luck with the group.

Signature

Troy Piggins
I always appreciate critique.

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gary - 28 Jul 2008 08:57 GMT

> I'd just like to thank all the people in this group who have
> commented and critiqued photos I've posted, or answered questions
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
> Thanks again and good luck with the group.

I agree its a pity good luck
I don,t post here often just lurk because very little positive comments
are made

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Nomen Nescio - 28 Jul 2008 09:00 GMT

gary wrote:

> Troy Piggins wrote:
>> I'd just like to thank all the people in this group who have
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
> I don,t post here often just lurk because very little positive comments
> are made

And you really think you will be missed? No, that's why you made a post saying you were leaving because you know no one will miss your posts.

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Mr.T - 28 Jul 2008 09:37 GMT

> It saddens me to say I don't think I'll be reading or posting in
> this group much any more. While most have been very helpful and
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Just trying to explain why you've driven at least one person
> away.

Using a kill file, ignoring the idiots, and continuing to post is a better
option. The more people who leave, the more that the spammers/flamers get
their way in killing all the news groups. If everyone leaves one group, they
just follow them too, so how does that help?
There are many groups even worse than aus.photo IME anyway.

MrT.

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Troy Piggins - 28 Jul 2008 21:59 GMT

* Mr.T wrote :

>> It saddens me to say I don't think I'll be reading or posting in
>> this group much any more. While most have been very helpful and
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> Using a kill file, ignoring the idiots, and continuing to post is a better
> option.

Better for who? Not me. I'm starting to feel sick to the gut
from some of the posts that are flying around here lately. Most
do keep the same alias and so would be easy to killfile, but
there's a couple who regularly change nicks. So wouldn't be
able to completely avoid it.

And I don't really want to killfile some of the offenders,
because when they do post on-topic they're very helpful and
knowledgable.

> The more people who leave, the more that the spammers/flamers get
> their way in killing all the news groups.

I don't believe there are many spammers here (I do have killfiles
for that sort of junk), and not a significant amount of flamers.
I don't believe their intention is to kill all the news groups.
It's much more personal and primitive than that.

> If everyone leaves one group, they
> just follow them too, so how does that help?

It does one of 2 things. Either the remaining people realise
where they're at (not a happy place), clean up their act and the
group gets back on track, or they don't and the downward spiral
continues making all even more bitter and twisted.

I've been here for about a year now and see no sign of things
getting better soon. Couple of times some sort of "truce" gets
promised, but only lasts a week or so before someone cracks.

Here's a quote I just thought of for someone to add to their sig:

"Getting aus.photo back on topic is like negotiating peace
treaties in the Middle East: both sides think they're right,
you'll never understand how all the fighting started in the first
place, and an outsider will never be able to close the deal."
Troy Piggins

> There are many groups even worse than aus.photo IME anyway.

Not that I frequent.

Thanks Mr T. I do appreciate your attempt to keep an even keel,
but I gave the group a year. That has been enough of my time.

Signature

Troy Piggins
I always appreciate critique.

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Rita Berkowitz - 28 Jul 2008 12:26 GMT

Troy, let me say that I have always thought of you as a level headed person
and have always enjoyed you pics. That said, I think it a mistake for you
to leave. You add so much to the group(s). And you used restraint and
moderation when engaging in the D-Mac bashing lunacy. Australia, like the
US, has a few persistent trolls that need to be exercised. The Usenet
Stimulus Project has been highly successful in cleaning up most of ours.
Just hang in there and it will get better. Keep posting your pics and enjoy
photography and let the idiots fight amongst themselves.

Rita

Signature

Stamping out Internet stupidity one idiot at a time. Never empower the
idiot, embrace it and stimulate it. For more details go to the Usenet
Stimulus Project page.

http://ritaberk.myhosting247.com

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Annika1980 - 28 Jul 2008 15:19 GMT

> Troy, let me say that I have always thought of you as a level headed person
> and have always enjoyed you pics. That said, I think it a mistake for you
> to leave.

I don't think it is a coincidence that Troy left on the very same day
that he received his Canon 65mm MP-E Macro lens. He'll be spending so
much time trying to get decent pics from that Macro Monster that he
won't have time to post.

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Troy Piggins - 28 Jul 2008 22:07 GMT

* Annika1980 wrote :

>> Troy, let me say that I have always thought of you as a level headed person
>> and have always enjoyed you pics. �That said, I think it a mistake for you
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> much time trying to get decent pics from that Macro Monster that he
> won't have time to post.

It's a combination of things :)

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Troy Piggins
I always appreciate critique.

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Troy Piggins - 28 Jul 2008 22:07 GMT

* Rita Berkowitz wrote :

> [---=| Quote block shrinked by t-prot: 22 lines snipped |=---]
>> for all involved.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Just hang in there and it will get better. Keep posting your pics and enjoy
> photography and let the idiots fight amongst themselves.

Thanks for your kind words, Rita.

The Usenet Stimulus Project has been a huge success. It really
does stimulate the trolls. It's a shame you didn't name it the
Usenet Get Groups Back On Track Project and apply the same
fervour to it, or that you didn't say there are trolls that need
to be _exorcised_ instead of _exercised_.

I'm off to do the latter 2 of 3 things you mentioned in your last
sentence.

Signature

Troy Piggins
I always appreciate critique.

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