I went back to the WS Forum today, the first time since Vino Me emailed me personally about 3 weeks ago. Even though some of the people I enjoy, like Seaquam, are posting there more than ever, I'm turned off the the few jerks that seems to like to see their names in print.

I searched for some tasting notes on German rieslings and found a thread posted by a guy in Hong Kong. He made some good comments and asked a good question. Then a guy with the moniker Ervin, makes some asinine criticism and actually made the same mistake that he was criticizing. The thought that immediately came in to my mind is how a few jerks can ruin a very nice forum.

Let's keep this from happening here.

I rarely check that Site anymore, so I am Not aware of what you are talking about (or what happened there this time). But, we will do our best, GATC. You know the policies that we stressed many times. We never hid those facts. We were honest & open about that from the very start. So far, no major problems & hopefully it will stay that way. But, if it calls for it, no hesitation on our part @ all.

It will NEVER come to that here. We have fun here, yes. We give a "hard time" to each other (sometimes, in jest), yes. We respect each other's opinion, yes. Lively conversations are great, welcomed, & make for an interesting time. BUT, certain things will NOT be taken lightly here. Plain & simple vanilla.

While I completely agree with you GATC, I actually still hold out hope for the WS forum, and I think this and WS can co-exist quite nicely. There are still a lot of people over there I enjoy reading, and a lot of interesting threads - as well as some quite interesting "newbie" participation from time to time. Bottom line, I plan on participating in both for the forseeable future, but frankly find myself here much more than anywhere else.

Eric,
I agree. I expect to spend the vast majority of my time here, but I wouldn't want to ignore ANY site where there's good info, particularly when it comes to tasting notes.

I do find that I spend almost NO time in MTH (like I used to), and I tend to breeze thru Wine Conversations. I still want to read everything I can about TNs though.

OK, I'll fess up. About once every 2 or 3 weeks, I even peek at the Squires board. I've learned very little there, but occasionally I get a kick out of reading the posts of a particular B.C. Sommeliere whos' trying desperately to behave like the rest of the posters on that site.

What I DO notice most is that I read everything I can get my paws on here on a daily basis, and skim the other sites. This has become a fantastic home base!
Keep up the good work, boys and girls!

What if the Jerks are already here? Are you guys going to kick me out

Actually, they say music sooths the savage beast, and Vinocellar seems to sooth the savage poster. I have noticed people here who have been known to be "volatile" in the past that are to busy participating in the high level conversations here to and can't seem to find time to get into spats.

I have no doubt that it will stay that way.

TCK

Yea, I hope TCK doesn't revert to his old self! :-)
hehe. Just kidding. It seems true though what you say.
Perhaps the nickname of "Wine Dictator" isn't necessary after all. I hope not.

I feel very much as Eric does: there are some nice people there still, but I agree that, with its unrestricted growth, there have been more unsavory and abrasive characters appearing there.

I spend an equal time perusing both sites, although my sense is that as I spend more time here, I have been posting less frequently on the WS boards. (My wife, however, would agree with YOU, GATC; did she put you up to mentioning the amount of time I waste there? )

Eric, I haven't given up on the WS Forum totally. I go there periodically as a courtesy since all of the great connections that I have made here is because of them. I'm just disappointed when I see someone who is critical with no basis for the criticism. So I will go to there and the Parker BB once in awhile, but will spend most of my free time here.

Seaquam, I did notice that in the months that I was gone from the WS Forum, that your post count increased considerably. However, I do not have the pleasure of knowing your wife, so it's not me.

I resemble that remark! Seriously I do. It is unfortunate that all this wine knowledge keeps fragmenting and I have to spend more of my work day scouring for knowledge.

FWIW, a jerk to one person can be a friend to another. Not EVERYONE can be on the same page. Ervin, on the other hand....

I went for a visit to the "dark side" and the rudeness seems to continue. Perhaps the MTH Forum is a bad idea. Ranting is one thing, but the folks there do go "off" on each other more than they should.

There are many folks there that try to impress others instead of simply discussing issues openly. It doesn't do it for me adnd my visits there will get to be fewer and fewer I believe.

Cheers! thank goodness for vinocellar.com!

Awe guys! Stop! I'm blushing!
It's only going to get better.... your patience will be rewarded! So will your blatant hype of the site! hehe.

smaug, I share your disappointment. It would be nice to just go to one place. I have always enjoyed going to the Parker BB about once a week even when I was visiting the WS Forum 3-4 times/day in the past. I still do the same and there is information there that I enjoy, but once a week for about 20-30 minutes is all I need there.

Superficially, the reason that I left the WS Forum is because of the jerks. But the reality is that I was learning a lot less a time went on. When Jones left, the second time, it really hit me that a lot of the posters that I enjoyed reading were posting less or disappearing altogether.

When a group of guys goes out of their way to create their own forum because of their displeasure with the WS Forum, it says something. Thanks again.

smaug, I also appreciate your comment about "a jerk to one person can be a friend to another". But, I find it strange that the WS Forum can ban Matthew Raney, a regular in the Parker BB, but tolerate some of the people they have tolerated.

We value your support GATC. I'm glad you've found a place you like here. (blah blah blah, what else can I say to everyone that we are glad you are all here?)

I find I am spending the majority of my 'wine time' here. It is where I tend to learn more, and I get great tips. I wish I could lure more of the posters from WS over here, since some of the ones I don't see here (like Vino Me) are missed....

Dang.

T.J.: I think you do your part. Thank You.

Hey, maybe we can get this guy to migrate over here. I mean, the last line of his post is a bit unncessary and pretentious for my taste.

http://forums.winespectator.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=9306023451&f=5086097161&m=7756086002

Funny...

The differences are interesting - what has surprised me in the recent months "over there" has been the shift to the Whine (about) WS site...

I am enjoying these boards thus far, and looking forward to lots of great conversations in 2003.