Grade for GolfClubAtlas.com in 2007?

[Tom Huckaby]

Michael W., my friend and conqueror:

The moderation you suggest would be wonderful, but would require a LOT of work. To remove all sidetracks on every thread would require reading every single post ever made, 24/7.  I doubt even me and Kavanaugh could handle that as although it is hard to believe, each of us do have lives.    Tell ya what:  pay me $100K and I'll take the job.  I'll read every post and create a new topic every time there is a sidetrack.  I'll set up architecture specific topics separate from anything outside of that.  

Not gonna happen?  Oh well.

So this place is what it is.  Sidetracks happen, OT topics happen.  Hell Kavanaugh participates in those as much or more than I do, so his claims that he'd make the place "architecture-pure" are well, interesting.

But yes, I suppose this whole thing is a sidetrack, but Ran can choose to read whatever he wants and skip our BS.  Doesn't seem to tough to me.

But Ran is a guy who begs for strokes in matches, so who knows what he can or can't handle?

 

[Ray Richard]

 We should celebrate the fine humor on GCA. I had at least 20 occasions last year when I laughed loudly when reading a post.

 It’s an interesting collision between the creative souls who create golf features and the consumers who love to critique the end product. It’s great sport to sit back and watch the exchange of ideas without any concern with club politics and dysfunctional egos.

 The combination of few supers and club executives, along with some mighty fine professional writers and you have a worthy blog.

 And you topped it all off with a roving Dr.Smith* character who thrives on contrary opinions, so I’ll give it an A.

* Dr. Smith was a character from the old TV show Lost in Space-he was  a tweaker and meddler who managed to sabotage every episode with some contrary words and actions, but he gave the show plenty of suspense.

[jim_lewis]

Hi Ran:

Like most everyone, I would like to see you participate on the site more. Unlike most, I don't miss the "regulars" who have elected to leave over the years. I don't participate as much as I once did, but I do log in daily in search of topics that interest me. The topics are probably as good as ever, but my interest seems to have waned.

Here is my suggestion. When I meet someone and start a conversation, the first thing we usually do is introduce ourselves. I think we all like to know a little about the person we are talking to. There is a core group of oldtimers on GCA that have become fairly well known, but most participants are strangers to each other. I think the "conversations" would be more enjoyable if we knew who else was involved.  Therefore, I would like to see all participants complete their profiles. I would also like to see a "remaks" section added where each could tell a little about themselves in a manner similar to what some have done in the "Who are you guys?" thread. That thread offers a little help, but it is too cumbersome to sort through. I can tell you that I will rarely engage a poster before checking his profile. If he is unwilling to tell me who he is, I'm not interested in talking to him. Occasionally someone will post that they are headed to Pinehust and seek suggestions about where to play. I check their profile. If they have not completed it, I have no suggestions or invitation to offer.

Jim Lewis

[George_Bahto]

1500 posters with such varied opinions able to communicate with their peers (in loving this game of golf) is this wonderful playground, golfclubatlas.com.

I know I usually check in about 3 - 5 times a day.

There are many who enter our tree house to learn.

Example: I’ve known Bill Brightly from Hackensack Golf Club for quite a while and he has been on here a lot because of what his club is trying to accomplish and I admire the due diligence he has done in that regard, much of it on this site or as a result of people he’s contacted as result of visiting GCA.

We are a great resource for so many people.

That “service” and sounding board we offer is worth so much to these people and it also offers the opportunity for them to contact individuals directly.

I think a milestone was reached when we were able to post photos and drawings on the site in order to explain ourselves better.

I won’t even talk about the friends I’ve made - goes without saying for most of us.

The information that is available in the various segments of GCAtlas is astounding - the courses, the opinion articles, the interviews - this is great stuff.

I agree with Ran’s basic tenet to let the site take its own course with just a minimal of Ran’s prodding.

I feel bad we lost a lot of interesting posters, supers, agronomists, architects, writers. They have a lot to offer but I can’t blame them, I guess, (in some cases) after some have been continually attacked ..... too bad - many of them are a real loss and hopefully some can be persuaded to return.

Personally, as many of you know, this site has really changed my life dramatically - you cannot imagine - and I can’t thank many of you, and especially Ran and John, enough for that.

It’s a great feeling to feel “known” when you visit courses, give presentations or just meet many of you informally.

So it’s easy to guess my grade - an emphatic     A

[John Mayhugh]

Hi Ran:

Like most everyone, I would like to see you participate on the site more. Unlike most, I don't miss the "regulars" who have elected to leave over the years. I don't participate as much as I once did, but I do log in daily in search of topics that interest me. The topics are probably as good as ever, but my interest seems to have waned.

Here is my suggestion. When I meet someone and start a conversation, the first thing we usually do is introduce ourselves. I think we all like to know a little about the person we are talking to. There is a core group of oldtimers on GCA that have become fairly well known, but most participants are strangers to each other. I think the "conversations" would be more enjoyable if we knew who else was involved.  Therefore, I would like to see all participants complete their profiles. I would also like to see a "remaks" section added where each could tell a little about themselves in a manner similar to what some have done in the "Who are you guys?" thread. That thread offers a little help, but it is too cumbersome to sort through. I can tell you that I will rarely engage a poster before checking his profile. If he is unwilling to tell me who he is, I'm not interested in talking to him. Occasionally someone will post that they are headed to Pinehust and seek suggestions about where to play. I check their profile. If they have not completed it, I have no suggestions or invitation to offer.

Jim Lewis

I like the idea of adding a remarks section where members can tell a little more about themselves.  Ordinarily what I've done when curious is just read a lot of their posts, but I understand what Jim means.

[Norbert P]

. . .   I would like to see all participants complete their profiles. I would also like to see a "remarks" section added where each could tell a little about themselves

 I agree. Even if there is just a mention of the region of where they live, it helps with aligning and envisioning others' perspectives.  

Also, but not so important, if the maximum avatar sizing could be increased from 65 X 65 to maybe 100 X 100 (still pretty small).  

[Mike Sweeney]

. . .   I would like to see all participants complete their profiles. I would also like to see a "remarks" section added where each could tell a little about themselves

 I agree. Even if there is just a mention of the region of where they live, it helps with aligning and envisioning others' perspectives.  

Also, but not so important, if the maximum avatar sizing could be increased from 65 X 65 to maybe 100 X 100 (still pretty small).  

1. I have updated my profile, what you can fit at least.

2. The avatar can fit below, see mine.

3. Slag, who are you? I really don't know!

[Sean_A]

Mike

I just had a look at my details.  I don't even know what half those things are!

YIM?
MSN?
AIM?
ICQ?

I just about figured out email.

Ciao

Sandy

[Tom Huckaby]

Sean:  the only one you need to know is YIM - Yahoo! Instant Messenger - it's a wonderful tool.  Check it out, sign up.

http://messenger.yahoo.com/

Tom Huckaby
Yahoo! Inc.

[Matthew Hunt]

Tom, do you think it beats MSN?

[Tom Huckaby]

Tom, do you think it beats MSN?

I need not opine, because the systems have joined together... that is, they work together, have for awhile.

TH

[PThomas]

Sean:  the only one you need to know is YIM - Yahoo! Instant Messenger - it's a wonderful tool.  Check it out, sign up.

http://messenger.yahoo.com/

Tom Huckaby
Yahoo! Inc.

always the company man ...well done Huck!

[Kalen Braley]

I use YIM.....

But the biggest gotcha with it is the conversations aren't encrypted.  Anyone in between you and the person you are talking to can take those bits off the wire and read every word you are saying.

So its good for chit chat, but not a good idea to talk about anything in confidence.

[Bill_McBride]

. . .   I would like to see all participants complete their profiles. I would also like to see a "remarks" section added where each could tell a little about themselves

 I agree. Even if there is just a mention of the region of where they live, it helps with aligning and envisioning others' perspectives.  

Also, but not so important, if the maximum avatar sizing could be increased from 65 X 65 to maybe 100 X 100 (still pretty small).  

1. I have updated my profile, what you can fit at least.

2. The avatar can fit below, see mine.

3. Slag, who are you? I really don't know!

One of the really nice side benefits of our summer stays in Portland has been getting to know Norbert Painter ("Slag Bandoon").  He is truly one of life's eccentric good guys.  Not too eccentric, just a little bit.  "Slag" has transitioned from young former steelworker guy to landscape contractor guy who dabbles in golf "maintenance."

You guys can debate GCA's format forever, search function, OT threads, etc etc ad nauseum, but the most important thing about GCA.com is that is has created not only a virtual but also a physical community of kindred spirits who really enjoy being together in person as well as at the keyboard.  I doubt this was even on Ran's radar when he thought up GCA.com, but it is a real benefit of being associated with the Treehouse.

Anyone who hasn't done so yet should make every effort to participate in one of the numerous GCA.com get togethers.  It will give you a whole new perspective on this community.

Oh yeah, avatars.  Once I figure out what they are, I'll try to get a larger one.  That sounds critical.    Size matters, right?

[Steve Lang]

  Bill,

I had just brought back a thread of pictures.. The Land of Enchantment Tour one got me thinking the exact same thing.  GCA.COM is Grade A for promoting kindred spirits to interact both virtually and in person..  not bad at all!

p.s. Hows FL?

[Patrick Kiser]

I told Santa I wanted a better search engine for GCA and he said he'd look into it.


Ran,

You talk to Santa at all?

[Norbert P]

 Hey Bill, Portland misses you and your lovelies.

 

Perhaps we'll see these guys again upon your return when things warm and dry up around mudville.

[Bill_McBride]

Hey Bill, Portland misses you and your lovelies.

 

Perhaps we'll see these guys again upon your return when things warm and dry up around mudville.

We'll be back in July and hope we do see the Buckles again.  For those who haven't heard of them, this Portland band is an interesting combination of the Beatles and Buck Owens and the Buckaroos.  (Hence the "Buckles!')  

[George Pazin]

Anyone who hasn't done so yet should make every effort to participate in one of the numerous GCA.com get togethers.  It will give you a whole new perspective on this community.

Precisely why my grade for the site will almost always be an A. Sorry, Jax.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I find the discussion group has maintained itself notwithstanding many of the subject come back up for the old timers. I really like the others areas of the site and hope to see more courses reviewed and added next year. The site is an A to me. The OT really do not bother me in the least. I have found for the most part  the more offensive elements tend to go away. I just do not read the posts of the few contributors of that type who persist. Ran and Ben, thank you for this gift to each of our lives. May 2008 be the best year ever for GCA.

[Mark Bourgeois]

Hey Bill, Portland misses you and your lovelies.

 

Perhaps we'll see these guys again upon your return when things warm and dry up around mudville.

We'll be back in July and hope we do see the Buckles again.  For those who haven't heard of them, this Portland band is an interesting combination of the Beatles and Buck Owens and the Buckaroos.  (Hence the "Buckles!')  

Derivative of The Derailers?

[Steve Lang]

  and for related gca topical names..don't forget Ohio's own from Columbus.. Phil Dirt and the Dozers!

http://www.phildirt.com/About-Us.html

[Bill_McBride]

Hey Bill, Portland misses you and your lovelies.

 

Perhaps we'll see these guys again upon your return when things warm and dry up around mudville.

We'll be back in July and hope we do see the Buckles again.  For those who haven't heard of them, this Portland band is an interesting combination of the Beatles and Buck Owens and the Buckaroos.  (Hence the "Buckles!')  

Derivative of The Derailers?

Derivative of Buck Owens and the Beatles!  Who do the Derailers channel?

[Mark Bourgeois]

Panhandle Bill,

Well, their latest album is titled, "Under the Influence of Buck."

That help?

Yours in honkytonkitude,
Mark

[Bill_McBride]

Panhandle Bill,

Well, their latest album is titled, "Under the Influence of Buck."

That help?

Yours in honkytonkitude,
Mark

They were on Prairie Home Companion today but I was on the golf course instead.  I'll have to check them out.  My favorite Buck song:  "I got the hungries for your love, and I'm waiting in your welfare line."