What you like and dislike about GMG

[Sammy]

Like:

1.  The musical knowledge of GMG members is very impressive.
2.  Rob, our Administrator, does a great job.  He knows just when to stand back and when to get involved.

Dislike:

Many members take great pride in acquiring music on the cheap as if art music is a commodity on the stock exchange.

[Philoctetes]

Like:

1. The seeming bitterness of some of the members.
2. Rob is always kickass, as our the mods (Knight and Gurn are the two I've had the most interactions with, but they all seem fantastic, and   they aren't oppressive, which is lovely.)
3. I'll agree with Don (now Sammy, once Bulldog) that the musical knowledge of the members here are astounding (Todd is my prime example, but premont, Don, etc. are all also perfect examples.)
4. The generalized sniping that goes on about.
Edit: 5. Larry Rinkel

Dislike:

1. Not enough contemporary classical music lovers. Not enough contemporary lovers in general.

[Lethevich]

Like:
1. Being able to ask members about non-classical subjects and expect a reasonable chance of a reply due to a diversity of interests.
2. Being able to get into decent arguments (in the proper sense of the word, not sweary bitching), although I feel not enough people assume devil's advocate positions.
3. Getting inspired to listen to a composer who you knew about but couldn't be bothered to hear, and then finding that you love them.
4. Larry Rinkel.

Dislike:
Nothing, rly.

[Sammy]

Larry Rinkel?  I remember the name but nothing about the man.  Please educate me.

[Philoctetes]

Larry Rinkel?  I remember the name but nothing about the man.  Please educate me.

He's still around, just under a different moniker. He was always very kind, and offered massive insight into many pieces. His last post that I can recall was a very detailed post about Beethoven's String Quartets, arguing against some fool, I believe. He was also quite combative, but in a genteel manner, which I think was an endearing quality. I also don't think he suffered fools, which is something that deserves adoration.

[Todd]

Like:
* Gobs of posts on music
* Broad array of music discussed
* Suggestions for almost any piece of music can be had in abundance
* Lots of posts on politics, and most posters actually use complete sentences


Dislike:
* Not enough active members

[Brian]

He's still around, just under a different moniker. He was always very kind, and offered massive insight into many pieces. His last post that I can recall was a very detailed post about Beethoven's String Quartets, arguing against some fool, I believe. He was also quite combative, but in a genteel manner, which I think was an endearing quality. I also don't think he suffered fools, which is something that deserves adoration.

Unfortunately, his refusal to suffer fools means that he stops by rarely these days, but I too valued his insights, and on Beethoven he spoke with knowledge and authority that were enough to make this youngster learn a great deal.

By the way, I agree with nearly every "like" posted thus far. As far as Don's remark about cheapness... I have only made three CD orders in the past year, and I live in the "bargain" thread, but that's because I'm underemployed at a fairly meager hourly rate. The amount I'd like to spend on CDs each month comes out to a couple days' work. I at least try not to brag about the prices I get, so maybe other folks were in mind there. I don't view great art as a commodity - except when it's not affordable for me (yet)...

Oooh, I agree with Todd's dislike. 5-10 more "regulars" would be a breath of fresh air.

[Holden]

I agree with what has been posted so far so I won't directly repeat those.

Likes

The sense of community this site brings to us all
The polite and gentle way newbies are treated compared to a lot of other forums I've been on
The ability to have your own opinion and others , while disagreeing with you, will still respect that opinion.

Dislikes

Threads titled "Your top ten favourite......" While others may like to contribute to these, the majority are never summarised and for this reason seem pointless to me.

[Sammy]

Unfortunately, his refusal to suffer fools means that he stops by rarely these days, but I too valued his insights, and on Beethoven he spoke with knowledge and authority that were enough to make this youngster learn a great deal.

By the way, I agree with nearly every "like" posted thus far. As far as Don's remark about cheapness... I have only made three CD orders in the past year, and I live in the "bargain" thread, but that's because I'm underemployed at a fairly meager hourly rate. The amount I'd like to spend on CDs each month comes out to a couple days' work. I at least try not to brag about the prices I get, so maybe other folks were in mind there.

I didn't have any particular members in mind.  It's just that I read "cheap" at least a few times very day; sort of gives me the feeling that I'm in the basement of a large department store.

[petrarch]

Dislike:

1. Not enough contemporary classical music lovers. Not enough contemporary lovers in general.

I like your dislike.

[Ataraxia]

Likes: wise and knowledgeable members, friends
Dislikes: obsession with purchasing new recordings

[Mirror Image]

Dislikes: obsession with purchasing new recordings

Why would this bother you?

[DavidW]

Like: the community
Dislike: social media buttons (as you know I would say)

[Mirror Image]

Dislike: social media buttons (as you know I would say)

Same here, but they don't bother much now. The thing that was getting on my nerves was when they were first installed which caused slow load times, not just on my computer, but apparently many others, including yourself. This was so annoying that I was actually considering leaving GMG for good until the issue got resolved.

[Ataraxia]

Why would this bother you?

I don't know. I guess I think it's silly.

[Cato]

I like practically everything, even if I do not participate in a topic!

Main "dislike" or negative observation: We need more women members!
Minor complaint: more news and music from Luke Ottevanger and Paul Nauert.

[Mirror Image]

I don't know. I guess I think it's silly.

The only reason I ask is I'm a collector, so I take my obsession very seriously. But my CDCDCD medication hasn't arrived for several days and I'm climbing the walls and yelling at the computer screen because I can't put recordings in my cart on Amazon fast enough.

[Ataraxia]

The only reason I ask is I'm a collector, so I take my obsession very seriously. But my CDCDCD medication hasn't arrived for several days and I'm climbing the walls and yelling at the computer screen because I can't put recordings in my cart on Amazon fast enough.

Hey, I've been there. I'm not putting it down or anything.

[Mirror Image]

Hey, I've been there. I'm not putting it down or anything.

Oh no, I wouldn't think you would that, but it's just an interesting comment you made.

[Uncle Connie]

The only reason I ask is I'm a collector, so I take my obsession very seriously. But my CDCDCD medication hasn't arrived for several days and I'm climbing the walls and yelling at the computer screen because I can't put recordings in my cart on Amazon fast enough.

My problem is that I CAN put them in my cart fast enough - but then the silly credit card people send me a bill.  The very idea!!...