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>I'm still alive and well, thanks for your concern.
>
>I have been reading the forum, but not posting. I've been
>doing a good deal of soul searching the past several days.
>In all the years that I have participated in PC911, and
>Winmag before that, for the first tome I started wondering
>if it was worth the effort anymore.
>
>Let me explain. The character of the forum has changed, we
>are much better known than in the past, and there are more
>people who visit here than ever before. I have noticed two
>changes as a result that are probably inevitable. We are
>drawing an increasing number of trolls who come here
>neither seeking nor offering computer help, but only to
>amuse themselves by trying to stir up trouble. This is and
>has been eroding the spirit of family and comradery that
>most of us enjoy about this little corner of the web.
>
>Some of our threads have devolved into snide personal
>attacks, and attempts to embarrass good people who are here
>to help others without hoping to profit by it. The most any
>of us ever hoped for was maybe an occasional "thank you".
>Many of us are respected professionals who offer freely here
>what we get paid for in the real world. I used to be the
>nastiest old reprobate in these parts. No more, I'm being
>out done. I'm known to be terse, but I have always tried
>never to be mean spirited.
>
>There are a lot of long time contributors to these
>proceedings that rarely post or visit anymore. I miss them,
>but I can't blame them. Last week I came very close to
>resigning as a moderator and walking away. I do have a life
>beyond the forum that can keep me occupied.
>
>I have taken part in many long debates over the years with
>people here that I respected. People like Al, Casca,
>Scotter, and others, who also could engage in a heated
>intellectual contest without resorting to personal attacks.
>
>This post is getting far too long, so I'll end it by saying
>that I have decided to stay around in the hope that I can
>still contribute something, and that the good people who
>come here, not just the moderators, will help to keep this
>the kind of place it always was.
>
>As for me, if you don't like my opinions, the way I write,
>or how I answer, Just avoid my posts. They're not hard to
>spot, I sign them big, with the name I've used for two
>thirds of a century.
Shelly, You don't know me. I started lurking on this site about 3 or 4 months ago, I'd come here to read and maybe learn something about computers. I've learned alot from the people
here. I consider myself armed and dangerous. 
It was my first visit here that I read one of your posts. You seemed so knowledgeable that I figured if I read your posts I'd certainly learn something. I liked that your answers were well thought out, knowledgeable and to the point. I read every post of yours I can find. I know that if you've provided an answer it is correct and can be trusted.
In short while you may not know me you were the reason I came back to this site a second time. I have since learned that there are many posters here that put in the same effort and thoughtfullness that you do.
As a newby to this forum I appreciate you and all the others that give of their time and knowledge so freely.
While the forum may have changed and the trolls may have found it I hope that you and the others will not allow them the satisfaction of driving you away from the forum. You all do so much to help make computing an enjoyable experience that it would be a shame if you were to allow a few knuckle heads to spoil it.
Please accept my thanks and appreciation to all of you that help all of us. Geru.
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,then he just suddenly appears lol 
Pat
Sid
