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FAQS & other tid-bits
Stand by - - - in the works :o)
This website (SlideMeister.org)
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.
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?"
After 14 years of answering that question with a solid "No!" and still being called a "diatonic hater," I don't even care what they think anymore. The behavioral similarities between harmonica devotees and right & left wing politics is so similar that it's scary.
Who VISITS SlideMeister Forum?
On any given day, SlideMeister has a guest-to-member ratio ranging from 5-to-1 to 20-to-1. 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 "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 form 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
"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 bad language, chaos, flaming, backbiting, criticising 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, 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 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 being told that we weren't his students. 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 presents. (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 can happen.
Kicked out for SPAMMING?
Oh yeah, that goes without even saying. However, in the case of SPAMMERS, we DO, like fanfare. 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 SPAMMERS on SlideMeister. For that reason, our members usually catch the SPAMMERS and rat'em out before I even get to see it. :o) Cool, huh?
Member or Guest? What's the difference?
There is a big difference. A guest is just that: a stranger that's allowed to move around in a house he/she doesn't live in. As such, there are plenty of 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 "Fly on the wall." The Fly on the Wall" 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" are usually the only ones I remove. These folks have been "Members" for six months and have never even found out what the group has to offer simply because they never got their 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 "sign in" once every six months. That's it! You aren't even required to post; just sign in with your username and password. How simple is that? :o)
What's it cost to be a SlideMeister Member?
Nothing! SlideMeister is a free resource that blatantly promotes the advancement the Chromatic harmonica.
This website (SlideMeister.org)
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.
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?"
After 14 years of answering that question with a solid "No!" and still being called a "diatonic hater," I don't even care what they think anymore. The behavioral similarities between harmonica devotees and right & left wing politics is so similar that it's scary.
Who VISITS SlideMeister Forum?
On any given day, SlideMeister has a guest-to-member ratio ranging from 5-to-1 to 20-to-1. 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 "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 form 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
"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 bad language, chaos, flaming, backbiting, criticising 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, 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 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 being told that we weren't his students. 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 presents. (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 can happen.
Kicked out for SPAMMING?
Oh yeah, that goes without even saying. However, in the case of SPAMMERS, we DO, like fanfare. 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 SPAMMERS on SlideMeister. For that reason, our members usually catch the SPAMMERS and rat'em out before I even get to see it. :o) Cool, huh?
Member or Guest? What's the difference?
There is a big difference. A guest is just that: a stranger that's allowed to move around in a house he/she doesn't live in. As such, there are plenty of 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 "Fly on the wall." The Fly on the Wall" 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" are usually the only ones I remove. These folks have been "Members" for six months and have never even found out what the group has to offer simply because they never got their 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 "sign in" once every six months. That's it! You aren't even required to post; just sign in with your username and password. How simple is that? :o)
What's it cost to be a SlideMeister Member?
Nothing! SlideMeister is a free resource that blatantly promotes the advancement the Chromatic harmonica.
How do I get out?
Easy, just delete your account
What do I have to share in my profile?
Whatever you'd like. Keep as private as the proverbial church-mouse, or tell all. You can share your email address, ICQ, AIM, MSN, YIM, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Youtube, yada yada yada.
Forum Features
Can be customized to your liking, (unless you're a guest)
How do I get in?
Just click the button below
Easy, just delete your account
What do I have to share in my profile?
Whatever you'd like. Keep as private as the proverbial church-mouse, or tell all. You can share your email address, ICQ, AIM, MSN, YIM, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Youtube, yada yada yada.
Forum Features
Can be customized to your liking, (unless you're a guest)
How do I get in?
Just click the button below