cornfedboy, signing off


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.

-F. Kelly Smith (a/k/a cornfedboy)
cornfedboy
cfb

Thanks so much for your wry humor, I'll sorely miss that. Your style and the substance of your comments were always appreciated and anticipated by me. And I just want you to know something, I never held it against you that you are a ss guy :) Take care and truly the best to ya.

Will


Your role and responsibilities as Audiogon advisor has undoubtedly shifted your own paradigm; especially as it relates to being visibly dispute-conscious. This certainly does not bother me.

As with other members, I tend to ignore things like this in favor of the benefits ...

From my perspective, you are making a BIG mistake. We will lose one of our most colorful participants, but more importantly we will lose important breadth on Audiogon. We have lost the opportunity to hear about a reference level system by a passionate listener. How can any legal opinion measure up to the importance of that?
Thank you for moving up and providing a much needed service where your professional background will improve a process which is headed in the right direction.
Audiogon with out Cornfedboy is like goin' a year without smiling :-(((

Ok, everybody, that means WE have to step up and sprinkle wit and humor around this place...

Boy are we in trouble...

Best of luck, Cornfedboy, may all your tunes be 'in tune'.