posted
What an exciting time we've had in Letterville the last few days! Carloads of hooligans racing up and down Main Street, squealing tires and hurling insults at each other. It's a wonder any visitors or the residents themselves, are brave enough to venture from the security of their homes. Is there no law in Letterville? Where are the police? Is the Mayor off somewhere hiding, perhaps even fleecing and trying to squeeze more juice outta that poor lambs vital organs? Who's in charge here anyways?
Relax folks! Law and order is about to be restored here in Letterville. When the dust clears, we will have the community the majority of you want. A place where all are free to speak their mind without fear of intimidation from bullies. There is a very real possibility that some may not like the new Letterville. They may choose to vote with their feet.
When you registered to use this BullBoard, you voluntarily agreed to abide by three rules. Two of these simple rules have been around for 5 years, and one was added when we switched to this new style BB about a year back. We ask you to go back and reread those rules once again. You'll find them at http://www.letterhead.com/ubb-cgi/Ultimate.cgi?action=agree
If we all abide by these 3 laws of Letterville, these occasional skirmishes could be avoided or at least not be so hurtful. Let's talk about them one by one.
1. We request that you use your full real name as your username and include a valid e-mail address. We are a community, and use of an alias is discouraged. In either case, use of a signature file that automatically signs your posts is required. Your signature should include your real name, company name, and your location.
This law really needs no further clarification. Some of you need to check and make sure all the above info is in your signature file. Some are only using first names and/or missing other information. It is not only common courtesy that all using this forum are aware of whom they are talking to, and what business they represent. It is also the law here in Letterville.
2. Vicious personal attacks will not be tolerated. Treat others in a professional and courteous manner. We are a community. Use of the "Golden Rule" is strongly encouraged.
Again, this law pretty well speaks for itself. From time to time we will have disagreements. You will not love all your neighbors all the time. This is not Pleasantville. We all have strong opinions and feelings about all sorts of issues. It is essential we learn to talk about our different points of view without resorting to name calling and punching each other in the nose. In many cases, we have to agree to disagree, shake hands, and get back to work on the issues that unite and concern us. Bullies and thugs will not be tolerated in Letterville!
3. This is not the spot for commercial advertising. If you have a product our users should know about, please call us about advertising on The Letterhead Website. Blatant advertising will be removed!
This one is always a hot potato. We realize that many of you shake your heads at this one, and fail to see why it drives Barb and I up the wall. I'll try to explain our position one more time. There are 2 major reasons for this policy.
1. The Letterhead Website was founded as a spot for those who call themselves Letterheads to gather. As a working sign shop, we noticed there was no association or voice for small sign shops like ours. Every existing association seemed to be dominated by those that sell to signmakers instead of the shops themselves.
A visit to a sign industry trade show was a very different world than the one we worked in. Everyone seemed to wear suits and carry briefcases. Certainly not the same crowd we see at Letterhead Meets. Nothing wrong with that, but it just isn't our thing.
We wanted a forum exclusive to those that make their living creating signs. A quick look at other sign related BB's quickly made us aware that suppliers and others seeking our business were completely taking over these areas. To make things even worse, they began to squabble amongst themselves about whose product was better. What a mess!
That's one reason we have the no advertising rule. We feel that there are lots of people like us out there that want to hear from those that actually use the products without the manufacturers or distributors spin. We feel strongly that those that sell and supply to us could have a very different view of the sign industry than the users of these website.
2. The second reason we discourage advertising is purely financial. Running a website this size is a fulltime job. We have to make money in order to survive and grow. Barb and I do not publish a magazine or represent any special interest group. We make our income from this website alone. Everything we own is invested in this website. If suppliers can simply post away and advertise to their heart's content, we lose out on a valuable source of badly needed revenue.
They can't do it in the magazines or trade shows, so why would anyone feel they should get a free ride here? It's no secret that this website is the most popular spot for signmakers on the Internet. We offer advertising rates that are far lower than magazines and trade shows. It should be a win/win situation for all.
The vast majority of our advertisers are wonderful people that understand what we are trying to accomplish here and are happy to live within our rules. Unfortunately, there are a handful of advertisers that feel their buck a day entitles them to do whatever they want here. Sorry guys...it just isn't going to happen here. Play by the rules or take your business elsewhere.
So there you have it. Letterville has laws just like a real community and we are prepared to enforce them. Those that cannot live with these rules are in for a tough time in Letterville. Repeated offenders will have their posting privileges revoked.
I'd like to bring back an old, but still very relevant slogan, that used to be displayed at the entrance of live meets. It read..."Please leave all your guns and egos at the front door!" These words should be carved into the entrance sign of Letterville.
Letterville will be a place for all who call themselves Letterheads. Everyone is equal here. Those who like to feel a little superior or call themselves "prominent Letterheads" will probably not enjoy life in Letterville. There are no sign gods or snobs here! We want Letterville residents to feel proud of their town and encourage others to move here by your words and actions. It's time to stop the infighting and get on with building Letterville.
posted
Baaaaaaaaaaaa, I disagree, I not sure on what but rest assured I disagree, and soon as I fined out on what I disagree on; you can bet I'll be raceing up main st. again"" honk`n, and screem`n, maybe pop off a few rounds.... (in the air of corse) maybe drag`n one of them poor sheeple behind my tricycle. In an earnest display of disaproval about something or perhaps I just walk up and down main street with on of them sandwish boards pass`n, out flyers and screem`n, learn the truth and set yur self free"......aaaaaaaaa all the posabillities..
Steve; I'm confuse... boy that's a shock huh? do ya meen I have to change my TBUK to yur Ted T. Bukovscak "Lord of main st." and truth say`r, Is that what number one sayz... and how long do I have to ware this rubber band" Twain,TBuk (i think)
posted
I'm in! I agree with the laid down rules, I realize the GOOD this site provokes. It's no different that a dicussion group from our earliest school days to current day school board or city council......People have a right to speak about a subject and if you disagree, you must still be friends and allow for respect to one and other. Steve has come a long way and he had no idea from the start how this would be in the future....we have no control over that but we do have control over establishing ruels and basic conduct and he laid em down, now let's follow thru. Injection of HUMOR is high priority on my list!!!!
------------------ Mike Meyer Box 3 Mazeppa, Mn 55956 Info:mikmeyer@means.netGoing to Alabama with a Banjo on my knee come and see..http://www.markfair.com/dixieheads Member of the Sign maker Council of Toowoomba
Posts: 3617 | From: Mazeppa, Mn usa | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Right on Steve, we all need somebody to take the leadership and keep things in line. You are the man here. Above everything we need to be professional in all phases of our work, sometimes that means keeping our mouths shut when we'd like to bust off let's work together, help each other, thanks Steve.
------------------ Dave & Diann Kilgore Signs by Dave New Cumberland, Pa. djkdlk@compuserve
Posts: 92 | From: Wellsville, Pa USA | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
How about a jail in Letterville? hahahaha You could put a little "go to jail" icon on the user bar that people could click on if they thought somebody was out of line, and after it got enough "votes" they would be "sent to jail!" Not to suspend their privileges or anything, just for the community to make a statement about proper behavior. It'd be kind of funny.
posted
"He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice." (Albert Einstein) "Only dead fish go with the flow." "Everything popular is wrong." (Oscar Wilde) "To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." (Elbert Hubbard) "If you can't say anything good about someone, sit right here by me." (Alice Roosevelt Longworth) "The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism." (Norman Vincent Peale) Just a few thoughts from some fairly intelligent people. LE
------------------ LazyEdna in RL known as Sara Straw from southern Utah Red Rock Heaven
Posts: 776 | From: Aurora, Utah, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ted..We all enjoy the humour and wit you bring to this Forum. You and I have never met in person yet, but we have had numerous phone chats over the years and shared many chuckles together.
I believe most of us in Letterville walk to the beat of a different drummer. We share an artistic and yes, a rebellious nature. In most situations, we are always the ones to champion the cause of those we see as the underdogs. Believe me when I say I understand your desire to ensure nobody ever gets the "wool" pulled over their eyes. Sorry...I couldn't resist. ..hahahahah
In the last few weeks, your posts have gone from humourus to almost mean. Some bug has taken up residence in you lower colon and no medicine appears to kill it. Help me out here!
How can we see more of TBuk the signmaker here and less of James "TBuk" Dean the young rebel? The talk of all being equals at the table is right on, but you have also got to realize that someone had to buy the damn table and the roof it sits under.
There's no perfect world Ted. Letterville will never be a perfect place either, but the posts and traffic this website is getting daily indicates we are doing something right as far as signmakers are concerned.
posted
In a " Democratic Society " there is some measure of value in those who stand to proclaim that " The Emperor has no clothes". If it were not for folks of that inclination, the wrongs and injustices wrought upon the populace might very well never be noted. Change is a healthy thing, and also a constant that we all must adapt to. Sometimes healthy change can be initiated from the fact that a single individual chooses to question what, why, where, when, and even how much? By reading Ted's posts, he seems to be laying claim to being that "questioning individual". I hope that others may see the inheirant value of having an occasional dissenting opinion expressed, and don't set about to lynching the individual who chooses to voice such opinions.
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.com
The secret is to take note of what is being said, talk about it in a reasonable way for a length of time, and then move on. It's very difficult to get anything constructive done when the same old pot is constantly being stirred.
posted
Steve, I had sent you an E'' exclain`n, my poksition, I love to talk shop but the subject at hand was on the front burner... I am very pasonite to the cause of the each.. and am most likely to raised my voice when all others are marmer`n,.
IF there was still someone around that I could question the sencibillity of round tires vs square then ya can bet I would be engage in that argument to this day... for I feel that square puts more surface to the surface..
Steve this is yur site and yur bizness,,,it is up to you how it shall be run and how you shall profit from that running""
I am a consumer of yur product" and as such shall question ever move as to it's merits not only for me but for the family"' which Buy the way enclules you buddy"
My ralley agienst the TAG has proven that most of the family could give a zhit" they only want to have a nice conferbul place with no Rock`n,,,, TV dinners for all.. no salt and pepper shakers on the table"' and lieve out anything spicy"'
Well Steve till the day you kill my pass word that ain't gonna happen... not as long as I have a chair at the table...
I had envesion the table as round'' where ALL were equal not square or retangle.. where a person might sit at the head or to the emedit LEFT or RIGHT..
Come'on Steve'' don't show me as a child" or even as a teenager" I am yur brother of the brush, I support yur site with my post and my dollars,, but you cannot have my silence of opionion.. it has nothing to do with you'' and I'' on a personal level. and I should hope you are aware of that..
My home is always open to you ,,, but don't think it would meen that I would agree with every thing you say to me during that visit,,, but believe chum I would Never toss yur ass out if`n, we disagreed..
I am AWARE that yur site needs money"' and you need and want to show a profit and have more than what ya got now.. FINE,, no problem... as it should be when yure running a bizness... but I can seee that ya got enough Two shoes in the mixture""' SOoooo the most comfertable place for me and whare I might make a difference in the over all sceeem of things is Mr. One Shoe'' a slighty tilted Indevidual; at yur service... Steve can you (show) me whare I do not support yur site..... or OTHERS for that matter''' Hell I queestion YES,, I make statementes, to rally... have I NOT supported"""""'[...,,
I hold you as a bright, and thoughtful individual..
You to concider and convey that I am unaware of the fact that the table needs to be paid for,, has me questioning one of thoz decripitve words...
This Ralley of TAGS has become more about me than the site...
I made my position... I hold my position.. doez anyone not understand what that position is ?....
Steve, I hold ya as a friend,,, I'D hold yur wife but ya might get pissed"..
Steve I ask you a question.... I made some light ,,but the question was real for I do not know am I not to used TBUK anymore is that what #I rule (statement) you made meens just try`n, to BBBBBaa oooopppps i meen B one of the gang"" oopppppps' can't be a gang member in villVillage so I meen I was just try to Be" to be, AAaaaaaaaa hell I was just try`n, to BE"...a friend and family member with a thought as thoughtless as you might thopught it to BE....
Yes I have stories that need to be told and post to react to but right now, there is stakes on the grill and I don't want them to get burnt.. Twain,TBuk.
posted
I agree with Ken. I do see the value of it, and furthermore I am open to the learning that comes along with any courteous "sparring" match. Brainstorming may be a better word here. Seeing more sides than one often leads to even better end results. I emphasize the importance of having our eyes fully open, and our caution towards absorbing the messages being conveyed. If we have questions in understanding something, perhaps a question is in order, and not an assumption. Delivery of any thought is better weighed carefully before it's submission. Knee jerk reactions, obviously better delayed.
I would like to see Ted's posts be more easily understood. Even mildly adjusting his grammarical "style" would help.
Still I find that when I finally disifer his words, and put meaning to them, I have not always been impressed, and obviously not always in full agreement with his perspectives. I have also seen him "dance" in his aftermath, and put a twist on some of the replies that follow. I've recall reading a few of his replies to following comments and thinking to myself "no Ted, that's not what (he/she or I) said". I then follow that thought with "what the heck is this guy talking about?" I opt to give him the benefit of doubt and decide that it's due to innocent misinterpretation or at best something I may never understand. It's at this point that I usually lose interest.
Having said that, I am sincerely hoping that the ways I have expressed my differing "angles" have not led anyone to believe that I was tying up a rope with Ted's name on it. In my humble opinion, he seems to begin that noose quite well for himself!
I'll conclude to say that I accept Ted for all he has to offer on this board, and unless the sun doesn't come up tomorrow, he will probably respectfully remain one of my "sparring" partners on this site. I can't honestly say that I enjoy it quite as much as he does, but then, it all comes down to that "inherent value in differing sides" thing that Ken so eloquently brought up doesn't it?
Thanks Ken, you are so right. Now, have we beaten this horse to death yet? Nettie
------------------ "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
Call in the movers and we'll help you pack! It's just too easy to take up residence! Location, location, location ... it's right here! http://www.letterhead.com/supporters
posted
Aw shoot, Don't Get on to ted, He supports, He speaks out, and though he doesn't go by his whole name it appears on all his posts. I would say he is a Tax paying Citizen (or resident) regardless of his opinions, the only thing I would like from Ted, is a little help, instead of always a complaint! Maybe he is helping, we have continued to come up with new ideas and suggestions for the new Letterville, Maybe Ted is helping us more than we give him credit. Just my opinion, Bill
------------------ Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud Supporter of the Letterheads Website MailTo:twobees@tgn.net
Posts: 1020 | From: Lake Jackson,Tx | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
Call in the movers and we'll help you pack! It's just too easy to take up residence! Location, location, location ... it's right here! http://www.letterhead.com/supporters
posted
Horse's, lambs" DAMN'IT why can't anyone understand,,, it's sheep I tell ya SHEEP""'
Smiley" agreed, You and I and Mr Fair corectly handle one of thoz misconceptions here recently... we all can be misunderstood,, but I just can't understand why yull can't read my post`n,.. if`n, ya think my type`n, is bad, ya ought to take a gander at my specialy design key board..it helps me from put`n, letterz where they ain't aughta go.. Twain,TBuk.
posted
Personally I love Ted's posts. If you listen to them as you read them and follow along in complete sentences instead of stumbling along you will hear very articulate and intelligent statements. It's like reading an accent or dialect. I refer back to an old post about hiring subcontractors and non-compete contracts where I gained valuable information from both Ted and Rick that provided me with facts that would have taken months to aquire. This whole internet "keyboard communication" concept, it's a phenominal tool, it staggers the imagination, but in order for me to effectively benefit from the TIME one must invest just being on line, I tend to move on to another subject rather than induldge myself in posts that become mute. While I'm at it, just for the record, the creative genius award goes to Mark Fair. I can almost feel his energy, I'd say his kids are lucky to grow up with a father like him. All you guys here are like friends that I never have time to talk to and I respect you all, we are REAL sign people, one day technology may make us obsolete. God bless you all, thanks for all your help, and may the holiday season and new year (millenium) reward you all as you deserve. I'm going on a trip to El Salvadore with my church for the rest of the year, to do my part you know, I look foreward to what new developements I will find here when I return. Peace be with you all. Steven
------------------ Steve the SignGuy Visual Exposure Signs INDY
Posts: 15 | From: Indpls., IN USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Technology is a tool. The creative mind will NEVER be obsolete. It's great to know how to swing a brush. It's better to know how to make a layout sing. LE
------------------ LazyEdna in RL known as Sara Straw from southern Utah Red Rock Heaven
Posts: 776 | From: Aurora, Utah, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
I had pretty much decided I wasn't going to express any opinion on all of the "fuss-in" that has been going on, but I guess there are still some gray areas in my mind. First of all, I want to say I fully support what you are doing and where the site is going. (Haven't quite figured out why I'm only a visitor however).
I understand what you are saying about blatant advertising, and why we can't post things like "Widgets, only $19.95".
But it starts to get a little fuzzy when someone asks, "How can I paint my widget?"
Answering posts like this can be a problem without mentioning specific brand names and sources. Should we e-mail the answer rather than post it, should we say the answer is at www.widget.com, or just go ahead and blurt it right out? Maybe I've gotten a little gun-shy about mentioning products, but I'd like to hear some opinions and I think some others would too.
Anyway Steve, great job, keep it up.
Jerry Mathel Jerry Mathel Signs Grants Pass, Oregon jmathel@grantspass.com
------------------
Posts: 916 | From: Grants Pass, OR USA | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic