Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Here's what I agree with wholeheartedly from your thoughtful topic, luvmypets: "Personally, I look forward to both galleries. I always want to learn and improve in whatever I do so I will spend time in the c & c to do just that. I will also enjoy just looking at photos of someone's pet or grandchildren or something they found that day they want to share."

And what LoneRangeFinder said about having specialty forums for particular interests makes the most sense. I've never understood why Wahawk thinks having a lot of sub-forums is a problem :) Once you've subscribed to what interests you, if you use "newest topics," you don't even have to click to the individual forums. It's all right there in one spot.

Camshy Loc: Erie Michigan

Great letter Dodie, You did a great job writing it. Looks like a lot of people agree with you! And yes this is suppose to be a fun site. What one person make think is a bad photo the person who took it posted it for a reason. If you see a picture you do not like no one is forcing you to look at it. I agree with you close it and go to the next picture. I know myself I am far from being a great or even a good photographer but I enjoy taking the pictures, yes I do have stories to go with my pictures. Life is too short to be so judgmental all the time. Enjoy the pictures posted.
Thanks for your letter Dodie! :)

Bevman Loc: Baileysville, West Virginia

:thumbup:

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Thank you for your comments! I certainly hope that the new gallery will lure people back and satisfy both sets of photographers.

I would like to urge everyone to please contact anyone you know that left and let them know what is taking place. Invite them back. Ask them to be patient for the new gallery and to let everything settle in place and see if they feel things are more to their liking. This is a great forum and I want to see a peaceful coexistence for everyone. I know you can't please everyone but I would hope a great majority will be.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

[quote=scootersurfs][quote=luvmypets]First, I'd like to say congratulations to all who wanted the new gallery. I am looking forward to it!! I'm sure it will solve a lot of issues that have been plaquing this forum.

I don't know if anyone else has noticed that there aren't as many replies to posts as there were before all this started. There were several people who would reply to almost every post even if it was just a smiley face or thumbs up; I'm no longer seeing some of those people. Maybe they feel their replies aren't appreciated. I have also noticed that there were people who posted something almost everyday and they aren't any more. Maybe they feel that what they were trying to share wasn't appreciated. I think that while trying to make improvements to the forum feelings have (I hope, inadvertantly) been hurt. That isn't right! Everyone should be able to post without fear of hurtful comments and unwanted criticism.

This is a big forum with room for everyone.

There are those that post who only want c & c which you will soon have. There are those that are just learning and don't want the harsh c & c but just a gentle nudge in the right direction. There are some that just want to share little pieces of their lives with their UHH family.

There is room enough for all!!!

I am disappointed that some who are excellent photographers have stopped replying to the latter two categories I mentioned. Could you spare a little of your time to give a thumbs up or "great set" to those people? Some just like knowing their photo was viewed and appreciated for what ever it was. There is no need to be cruel in any category. If you really don't like a post or photo, instead of being rude, just close it and go on to the next. There is absolutely no reason to be cruel, even if c & c is asked for.

I read a post this morning where someone tried something new; it wasn't a great photo and I'm sure they didn't expect it to be hung on a gallery wall but probably would have just liked someone to notice what they had tried. What I saw instead was a rather harsh reply. C & C had not been asked for. So, now what will happen. Will the person who posted the photo stop trying new things? Will he just stop posting his photos? Will he leave the forum feeling he has no place here? Is that the way he should be treated?

There have been a lot of people leave in the last few weeks for various reasons. Some because they felt this forum was too "snapshottish" and some because it was to harsh. I hope that this new gallery will allow all of them to return and enjoy the gallery in which they are most comfortable without wondering if they will be insulted or hurt. I also hope that those in the stronger gallery will spend a little time with the snap shooters to encourage them whether they are looking to improve or to just share a little of their lives.

Personally, I look forward to both galleries. I always want to learn and improve in whatever I do so I will spend time in the c & c to do just that. I will also enjoy just looking at photos of someone's pet or grandchildren or something they found that day they want to share.

This should be an enjoyable place to spend time whether you are here to learn or just share a little of yourself.

Please try to make it enjoyable for everyone.

Thank you for spending a little of your time to read what I have written. Please, think about what I have written.

Have a good day or evening!!![/quote}
Are these 2 new galleries a result of Brent Harders post a few weeks ago? And, what are the new galleries called? Just curious. Thanks...[/quote]

Thank you for taking time to read my post. The new gallery is not up and running as far as I know. Things are still being worked out. If you will go into search and read Nightski's post "Dear Admin-we need a new gallery" you will see what is currently going on.

I think Brent started the ball rolling but just didn't have the correct terminology to get everyone on the right page. I agreed with Brent that a new gallery was needed but Nightski put it into better perspective.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Thank you, Gary. I appreciate you taking time to read my letter and to comment.

This is a great forum and I want everyone to enjoy it as much as I do for whatever reason they are here.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Thank you Photog8! I appreciate you time and comments and I agree with you 100%. We all need help and support from time to time. I was very grateful to everyone that helped me when I needed it. It was so wonderful that strangers would take time out of their day to sit down and fix a photo I had. I am not an expert but I will try to help anyone I can.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Thank you, Heirloom Tomato, for taking your time to read my post and to share your thoughts. I know that some people don't feel they have the experience to comment on someone's photo and a smiley face or thumbs up is their way of showing that they took time to look and support the photographers effort.

I was having some medical issues that weren't allowing me to sleep and not sleep well when I was. (those are getting resolved now) There were many nights when I was awake at 2am too tired to read but couldn't sleep and looking at the photos on this forum was what I could do to get through the night. I felt to tired to give more than a Very nice! or Great picture! but I really wanted the person who posted to know I had looked at his post and thought it worth seeing. If I offended anyone with my short replies, I'm sorry but I was doing the best I could to be supportive. Now that I am sleeping, I don't have time to view all the posts but I try to look at as many as I can and reply where I can.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Thank you, RE! I appreciate your time to read and comment to my post.

I really hope we can lure people back. This is a great forum and I have learned things and seen pictures of things I won't ever see in person. I have communicated with people all over the world that I would have never met if it weren't for this forum. I want everyone to enjoy it as much as I do whatever their choice in galleries.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Thank you for reading my post, MisterWilson. I don't know if there is a way to track who has left, I just know that there are certain people that I'm not seeing any more and I miss their photos and comments. No one should feel they are not wanted here or that they aren't good enough to be here or even that they are too good to be here. There should be something for everyone. I've looked at a couple of other forums and they aren't as enjoyable as this one.

Some people do care how many posts they get. They like to feel supported and appreciated. If you don't, thats your preference and are entitled to it. I know that one item I posted had less than 50 replies but over 2300 viewed it. Why was that important? Because I was communicating a problem I had and wanted others to be aware of it also.

I know that when I went back to reopen my post I found a box at the end of the line where the post was that listed how many replies were made to that post and how many times it was viewed. I can't remember all the steps I took to get to it but I did see it.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Thank you Philipjiju for reading my letter and for taking your time to comment. I totally agree with you. I am more than a beginner but less than a professional but I still want to learn and also to just enjoy a beautiful photo.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and to comment. There are always 2 sides to every topic and both should be heard. I am sorry you are unhappy with the way the forum has changed. I haven't been here as long as you and I have seen changes since I have been here. It is hard to see something you like and are comfortable with change but everything does change. With every new person who joins and every person who leaves there is a change. It is up to us to accept it and go with it or not to accept it. I hope that you can find what makes you happy here and continue to enjoy it.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Thank you, MinnieV, for your time and comments. I love your stop light analogy; it is an excellent way to explain it. I hope all the members will be open to the changes and put in a little effort to make it work.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Thank you, SharpShooter, for taking your time to read and to comment. It is so sad that there are people that feel they must be hurtful or rude to others. I hope that everyone finds the support and friendship they are looking for in whatever gallery or section they choose to participate in and I hope they put out the effort to help others that also need support and friendship.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I agree with you! I have a couple of people that I like to watch their posts. I also paid attention to who seemed to be helpful in what areas and then sent them a private message to ask questions. I have also sent private messages to some that I wanted to help but didn't want to post on the main board.

I'm certainly not an expert in anything but I will always try to help someone even if I have to go ask someone else. I will also try to share whatever knowledge I can.