Thanks for this thread Mrs C. and it's perfect timing.
I had thought about a thread along similar lines just the other day.
I was looking at Heather Davis's thread/List of Master Tech's and Educators in all the product lines and reading down the list amazed at the wealth of experience and talent we have here.
Then I realised actually how many of these geeks don't post much anymore!!!! Sadly it was quite a lot.
OK there will always be geeks who come and go, and of course some have busy Nail Salons to run, and can't always be on here!!
I know for a fact I haven't posted so much of late, and not just because I have been busy at work.
I laughed at first at how I seemed to always be getting the last word in threads! but then realised that the bad manners of people not acknowledging any advice given or letting everyone know if it had helped was beyond a joke.
There have been some good threads, and I participate when I can, but sometimes you feel if you are constructive then it is more likely now on the site that you will be misconstrued and accused of being harsh. I am sure it hasn't always been like that, or have I got my rose coloured specs on today?
Yes looking back over some recent threads I have winced at some blunt comments, but as someone else has advised, I chose not to comment and fan the flames!! I have always tried to word my posts carefully (and use spellcheck!) but sometimes we can all post before we engage our brain!!
We are all aware there is no tone in the written word, and the smilies on here do help, but sometimes things can go awry......then is the time for a PM surely, to sort it out.
The people I respect most on this site, funnily enough are the one's I have had disagreements with on threads, but we have debated and made our points, and either won each other over, or agreed to disagree. ( You will know who you are!
)
THAT is what I think keeps me coming back to the site.
I hope we don't lose that in a sea of fab, super, great critiques, and geeks will now feel happier to give constructive advice, and heed it.