a few months ago, i received an email from audiogon’s management with the intriguing subject line "got a minute?" in it, i was asked whether i had any interest in helping to develop a dispute resolution system for transactions emanating from audiogon’s website. hours of telephone conversations and countless emails followed. and, eventually, a dispute resolution system was developed, which is now an integral part of this site.
in working through various dispute resolution issues, i became more and more involved as a lawyer to his client. additional legal issues arose that i was asked to review and resolve. all during this time, i continued to post to discussion forums as a "member" of the audiogon community. i tried my best to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, avoiding conflicts in my roles as legal counsel and "member."
over the past few weeks, it has become apparent to me and that i can no longer wear two hats. so i’ve had to chose how i might best serve this community and those who allowed it to begin and to evolve. i’ve chosen to continue and expand my legal services to audiogon. my long-term goals as legal counsel are many but two are of greatest importance: to assure that audiogon remain the fairest, safest and most dependable online market for audio and video gear; and to help construct bridges over that chasm that now exists between the manufacturing and distributing sector and those who use the internet as a marketing and informational tool.
the decision to end my participation in the audiogon discussion forums was not an easy one. i’ve loved being a participant in these threads. and i truly treasure the many friends i’ve gotten to know here. i invite your private emails, whether you seek advice, a shoulder to lean on or just want to vent.
as my favorite band sang, "what a long, strange trip it’s been." so, my fellow denizens of this cyberspace pub, i bid you a fond farewell.
Kelly, Kelly, Kelly.... I have a 45 pound dictionary in my lap when I on here because of you....not that my vocabulary has grown much, but my spelling is much improved! Knowing you and knowing Arnie, I am sure that when you get this latest project over with, you can come back in... You guys can put your brains together and solve this one, too. Geez, this is peanuts compared to some of the past year or so, eh? To be honest, some of my favorite posts of yours was in the "old days" when it was the wild, wild west and you would take those whippersnappers by the ear and out back to the verbal woodshed. You'd have me in tears from laughing. But since we have *refined* ourselves, we don't get much of that anymore anyway. Seriously, I have always admired your ability to stay above the fray and speak from experience and knowledge. I truly believe that you have helped to shape these forums and your *touch* is all throughout. I only hope that we can keep the standard and keep it going. But then again, I expect to see you back here when you finish that "thing". all the best, aj
As someone notes, you'll still be here -- but invisible, behind the forum scenes. I too will miss your "visible" self, the content of your posts, the command of language, and the humour. Au revoir, rather than, adieu! Greg.
I go away for a weekend and look what happens!! I'll miss your on-site posts, and wish you well. At least I'll know your talents will still be going to a good use here.
When I came to this forum about a year ago, the first poster I consistently noticed was the cryptic "cfb". Was it his deflating sense of humor, or just his ubiquitousness? At first I thought, "Wiseacre". Later on I came to understand I could drop the "-acre" part. Fast foward several months, I was pleasantly surprised to receive an e-mail from Kelly. He was making sure I hadn't taken his comments in a thread duel the wrong way. We had a complimentary message exchange, but I felt the gesture possibly betrayed a little over-sensitivity put in context. Some of what is alluded to above may help explain this.
IMHO, Kelly might be needlessly concerned in a similar way now. As long as he recuses himself from participating in threads having to do with disputes or the subject of disputes, and maybe legal and transaction issues generally, and sticks to audio (and humor), I frankly don't see a conflict of interest here. But whichever way he goes, I'm certain of one thing: Based on my own limited dealings so far here on the 'Gon, and the obvious character of all you members that is on display in this thread, I am confident I will never require Kelly's services in his new capacity!
Ugh, that stinks. Kelly, the community hereabouts will certainly be less for your absence. That said, having spent some time attempting to devise ADR schemes for dumbfoundingly complicated multinational ventures and looking into what claimed to be state of the art on-line dispute resolution projects about a year ago, I can't wait to see what you come up with -- and I remain hopefully confident that we will all continue to benefit from your wisdom and insight, even if you'll be wearing a different hat for the time being. Best of luck. Peter
Kelly, If it weren’t for you I would not have the system I have today. Thank you. You will be sorely missed. Do check in from time to time and let us know you are still here at least in spirit. Please keep in touch. Cheers, Dan
Kelly, I have truly enjoyed you advice and humor as I have learned so much from the forums. I wish you the best in your endeavor with Agon and hope it is beneficial to all.
CFB - I just want to wish you the very best with your new situation here at Audiogon. I have both enjoyed and increased my audio knowledge from your various posts over the past few months. Your thoughts will be missed on this message board - but your efforts will deffinately be appreciated by many of us. Dave
What sad news and even sadder according to the obit both his sons have already passed as well. Best wishes to his wife. And thanks for posting dekay though sad news nice to think of Kelly again and the fun days of Audiogon way back when.
kinda late to be asking, isn't it? stupid post. if you need someone to validate your expenditures, go ask your mommy. she may give you an unconditional ok.
Aw, so sorry to hear this. When I was very new in this hobby and had no idea what break-in was, much less had enough experience to determine whether I believed in it or not. I was experiencing some problems with my system and came here looking for help. Following is his response:
"walter: take some advice, please, from someone who's no doubt older than you and probably been into audio longer. stop listening to your main rig 'til sunday. just keep it goin' non-stop on "repeat all" at the highest volume you can stand until, say, noon on 02/17/02. then listen. and have someone ready with a camera to catch the grin. trust me, i'm a lawyer. -cfb"
I did exactly that and the problem vanished. RIP, cornfedboy.
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