FAQS & other tid-bits
This website (SlideMeister.com)
This website is not "SlideMeister" but rather, a picture of what SlideMeister is all about. SlideMeister International Chromatic Harmonica Fellowship (SlideMeister for short) is an organization of Chromatic players, ranging from professionals to newbies, who want to "fellowship" around this particular type of harmonica without being forced to include subject matter about which they have little or no interest.
What is SlideMeister?
SlideMeister is a free, online forum for Chromatic harmonica enthusiasts of all skill levels, from recording professionals to players just discovering the versatility of Chromatic harmonicas and the fun of playing them. There is a $5 registration fee, but it's only our way to discourage SPAMMERS as well as "casual" members who join and never post or even visit, which qualifies tham as "security threats."
What are its goals?
To promote Chromatic harmonica playing and provide a place for enthusiasts, amateur and professional, to read and submit messages about learning, playing, buying, repairing and enjoying the Chromatic harmonica. We are proud to include among our members a number of recording professionals as well as many talented amateurs.
Is SlideMeister really "anti-diatonic?" (gunna get a bit personal with this one :o)
After 21 years of answering that question with a solid "No; its just Pro-Chromatic!" and still being called a "diatonic hater," I give up! I don't even care what they think anymore! I will not entertain or waste time "skirting the edges," hair splitting, technicalities, or any new technology that attempt to "meld" the diatonic and Chromatic; as all that ever accomplished was to weaken the superior qualities of the Chromatic, in my opinion. While there is room for improvements, I am quite comfortable with the basic concept behind the Chromatic harmonica as it has been for the past hundred years or so, and hardheaded Hungarian that I am, challenging my right to that opinion has only strengthened my resolve to the point, (as I said above) I don't even care anymore. The behavioral similarities between harmonica devotees and right & left wing politics are so similar that it's scary, but unlike so many politicians, I don't believe in compromising principles in an effort to cause certain folks to like me. (besides since they're only happy when they're mad about something; I'm just doing my part to keep them happy)
Who VISITS SlideMeister Forum?
On any given day, SlideMeister has a guest-to-member ratio ranging from 5-to-1 to 40-to-1 or more. Guests can explore our various boards and read what interests them. SlideMeister is divided up into easy-to-read and easy-to-find boards to minimize search times and maximize efficiency. When indicated, management moves, modifies or even terminates threads that threaten the efficiency of the forum and/or the sensibilities of the members.
Who JOINS SlideMeister Forum?
1. Guests who either know, or want to know what "members" get that "Guests" don't.
2. Guests who, after reading a while, realize SlideMeister is the friendliest, most helpful harmonica group on the web.
3. Guests who realize we're all just here to have fun.
4. Guests who are actually looking for a friendly wholesome forum with rules.
5. Brand new players with legitimate questions, and in a hurry for answers.
6. People who are referred by SlideMeister members.
7. People who are personally invited by SlideMeister management
8. People who want to sell Dad's harmonicas, but we kick those out as soon as we figure it out. :o)
"I've heard it said that SlideMeister has a reputation of being "Archaic and authoritarian with arbitrary rules" is that true?
Well, yeah, if you like filthy language, chaos, flaming, backbiting, criticizing forum rules and stuff, I guess I might be considered an old fuddy-duddy who believes in some sort of structure, with some rules here and there. Certain stuff just isn't, and will never be allowed, regardless of who calls me what. :o) The difference with SlideMeister is that I actually enforce the rules; which brings us to:
Can one get kicked out of SlideMeister?
It takes a real meatball to qualify, but Absolutely, you can get kicked out of SlideMeister! Historically, the most popular way to be "shown the door" is not to challenge the rules, but rather to do it 'on line." I guess that's where the "authoritarian" part comes in. All the rules are plainly listed in the "Registration Agreement" that no one ever reads, BTW, but everyone "clicks on" to say they read them, and then are surprised when they get a note from me in regard to an infraction. The problem arises when, rather than correspond with me in regard to the problem, they take the dirty laundry to the group supposing it will be tolerated the way it is on the other groups, and in many cases, before anyone can even hear their complaint about some perceived unfairness, they feel the door hitting their backsides. That being said, (in all fairness) it has always been done quietly and without fanfare. Folks may just notice that a certain loudmouth isn't posting anymore, but I never discuss the details. (I let the "Harp-Groups" groups that they go back to discuss it :o)
Some have been kicked out for insisting on bringing politics into a discussion and refusing to stop when asked. One was a Berkeley college professor who was used to always having the last word in the classroom, he couldn't handle my telling him that we weren't his students, called me a couple names and said he was prepared to quit, so I helped him. Then there are those who think they're "all that" and that they walk on water or something. Last year I had a couple different guys say they were the best players on the group and that I should be grateful that they graced us with their presence. (No kidding. I'm serious as a heart attack!) Times like that, I can't click my "you're outtahere" button hard enough! For the record: no one is, or will ever be that good! Yes, it takes a very special type to get kicked out, but it actually can happen.
Kicked out for SPAMMING?
Oh yeah, that goes without even saying. However, in the case of SPAMMERS, we DO, like fanfare. :o) We like to tell the world who they are. Heck, I even post their i.p addresses and anything else I know about them. The cool part is: we ALL hate SPAM on SlideMeister and have gotten used to its absence on our site. For that reason, if it ever shows up, even our members catch the SPAMMERS and rat'em out before I even get to see it. :o) Kewl, huh? I've recently installed a couple countermeasures and steps to prevent SPAM that are working very well.
Member or Guest? What's the difference?
Actually, there's a big difference. A guest is just that: a "stranger" who's allowed to move around in a house he/she doesn't live in. As such, there are plenty of "roped off" places he/she cannot go, things they cannot see and certainly things they cannot touch and as a result, the "guest' never learns what places and features that are being missed.
Member
Membership starts off as a "Applicant/ Fly on the wall." This is the new member with less than fifteen posts. What some never learn is that a "Fly of The Wall" is almost identical to a Guest, in regard to boards, features and permissions that are available to them. This is probably why, when I "prune" the list every month, the "Flies on The Wall" (or anyone else) who do not at least "sign in" once every five months are arbitrarily removed. These folks have been "Members" for five months and have never even found out what the group has to offer simply because they never introduced themselves (which gets them fifteen posting credits) or never got their own (no introduction) fifteen posts in. Another way to be removed even quicker is to sign up, get approved and never even sign in. I toss these folks out in thirty days or so. Again, we don't need "numbers," as much as we like members.
What's actually required of SlideMeister members?
Not much at all; just that they introduce themselves (one post will do it) then "sign in" once every five months. That's it! You aren't even required to post anything after you say "hello"; just sign in with your username and password to tell me you're still alive. How simple is that? :o)
What's it cost to be a SlideMeister Member?
Basically Nothing! SlideMeister is a free (with the exception of a five dollar SPAM and riff-raff filter I came up with in 2021) resource that blatantly promotes the advancement the Chromatic harmonica. While helping support SlideMeister financially actually helps everyone, it's not a requirement. (that's where the "free" part lives)
Can I help Support SlideMeister if I wish to?
Sure! But rather than take contributors for granted; we offer some cool incentives like forum perks.
How do I get out?
Easy, just stay away for five months and your account is automatically deleted, and you can come back whenever you decide to do so. (but it WILL cost you five bucks to vet and set you up again) You can also formally quit, just remember, if you quit without a good reason, you can't ever come back. (those are the rules)
What do I have to share in my profile?
The only requirement is your username. We don't want your street address; just us a general idea of where you are on the planet. In fact, you'll have the ability to put your location on MeisterMaps if you like, thanks to Google, you can even put a little red pin in the doghouse in your back yard. After that, you can share as much (or as little) as you like. Keep as private as the proverbial church-mouse, or tell all; it's completely up to you. Just know that SlideMeister (that's actually me) promises promises never to sell or share ANY of your personal information.
You can also share your email address, ICQ, AIM, MSN, YIM, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Youtube and even your DeviantArt (whatever that is) right from your posts, or not. ;o)
Forum Features
Can be customized to your liking. Yes, but not till you get a few posts under your belt.
How do I get in?
Just click the button below and on the next screen, click on "register" at the top left just above the word: "forever."
Easy, just stay away for five months and your account is automatically deleted, and you can come back whenever you decide to do so. (but it WILL cost you five bucks to vet and set you up again) You can also formally quit, just remember, if you quit without a good reason, you can't ever come back. (those are the rules)
What do I have to share in my profile?
The only requirement is your username. We don't want your street address; just us a general idea of where you are on the planet. In fact, you'll have the ability to put your location on MeisterMaps if you like, thanks to Google, you can even put a little red pin in the doghouse in your back yard. After that, you can share as much (or as little) as you like. Keep as private as the proverbial church-mouse, or tell all; it's completely up to you. Just know that SlideMeister (that's actually me) promises promises never to sell or share ANY of your personal information.
You can also share your email address, ICQ, AIM, MSN, YIM, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Youtube and even your DeviantArt (whatever that is) right from your posts, or not. ;o)
Forum Features
Can be customized to your liking. Yes, but not till you get a few posts under your belt.
How do I get in?
Just click the button below and on the next screen, click on "register" at the top left just above the word: "forever."