Goodbye OLD CPF Friend From An Old CPF Friend! A Tribute To Greta And History Of A Great Forum!

If there really isn't any, or very few, moderators here, I am pleased as punch to see how well-behaved this place is.
I had been lurking here for a couple years before signing up, figuring that would be the easiest way to ask questions. I had a reasonably large (or so I thought) flashlight collection, so I could at least...flash that before asking some questions of my own.

Fast-forward a too short of a period, I asked a question about automotive LED-bulbs. A certain moderator quickly came in, and it feels like I was baited into saying "I don't care about legislation" so he could close the thread. I proceeded to PM said moderator, and basically repeated the question: "are there any road-legal LED-bulbs on the market now?" We went back and forth a bit, with me not really getting a straight answer.

I didn't really want to waste his time (or mine, for that matter, at this point), so I asked why he closed the thread. And he accused me of being ignorant and arrogant. I said I only wanted to facilitate a civil discussion, and he replied back with an image of a gaping hippo (I had to google that reference). And then I left for like 4 years - didn't want to argue further or talk with an administrator, thinking how good can they be, getting moderators with that attitude.

Then I received a mass-PM from Mr.Ed, asking what I thought about the new forum and its features. Don't think I responded for like 2 years, because I was still sulking over the moderator treatment here. I eventually replied, and briefly told of my experience, and while the response from Mr.Ed was phrased more diplomatically, I read it as "I'm aware of the guy. He don't make such decisions anymore, and if that s**t happens again, I'll deal with it".

A single sentence from Mr.Ed made me come back. And I am glad I did. I will argue flashlights are a niche thing, no matter what anyone says, but it is an enthusiast (as in "expensive") hobby (much like any other), and I will say there is a prime community here. From what I have seen in recent years, the closest thing to negativity has been good-natured sarcasm and some friendly bantering.

I don't know Greta, other than seeing a few old posts with that name on them, but from what I can tell, this place is in good hands.

Cheers.
 
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I will say that most of the moderators, when we had them, behaved very professionally. A couple of them though, yeah.... not so much. I have a feeling I know which one you unfortunately had to deal with all those years ago. But that's then, and this is now.
 
I've experienced fair and deserving moderation and unfair moderation. It happens. There's no sense :dedhorse:

Wouldn't it be best to move on and enjoy CPF?
I don't like horses, not even when well-grilled, so beating them seems like the best choice. <3
/s

In all seriousness, that was why I did not name the moderator I had issues with back then. It would be rude of me, and do nothing good for anyone.
But I had to include the situation to explain my experience with CPF, and I want to point out that I do enjoy the forum now.

Maybe I signed up at an unfortunate time back then, with major changes going on behind the scenes, and I got in here in the middle of a transition. I don't know.

People are different on this, and personally I can forgive, but not forget. So I am trying to consider my PM from Mr.Ed as my "second signup", and a new start with this place. And my last sentence in the 5th paragraph in my post above: "And from what I have seen in recent years, the closest thing to negativity has been good-natured sarcasm and some bantering."...that I stand by.
 
@PaladinNO there was one particular mod in the automotive lighting section who was crazy. In some threads it was said the guy went beyond moderation and became a dictator. Trouble was he had a side-kick who'd pop in at random and be just as ridiculous. I lurked there briefly and even posted a time or two. My posts disappeared like morning mist so I just avoided that portion of the forum. There were threads about it but they fell on deaf ears under the old guard. A lot of goose stepping occured in that child forum.

Many of the mods just moved on in life or became ill, even died. Before the change they'd been seen less and less. The world of flashlights was no longer the thrill it had once been. The user serviceable aspect was all but gone and replaced by junky lumen wars, disposable products. So when the change of ownership took place it was almost natural that the mods who remained decided to adbicate the role. Part due to the loose knit aspect and part just because hobby just didn't interest them anymore.

I remember this one character who'd argue the darndest things. He knew everything about everything. He got banned then came back under a new name that was a dirogetory term about another member spelled backwards. He didn't stay long after that. Back then several banned members would return with a new name and go right back to bickering. So there were times the strict moderation was a necessary evil. But these days members largely police themselves yet have the freedom to disagree with others. Point-counter point discussions can take place now. Some don't like it. Yet some have adapted and learned just because we don't agree doesn't mean debate has to be squashed.
 
If there really isn't any, or very few, moderators here, I am pleased as punch to see how well-behaved this place is.
I had been lurking here for a couple years before signing up, figuring that would be the easiest way to ask questions. I had a reasonably large (or so I thought) flashlight collection, so I could at least...flash that before asking some questions of my own.

Fast-forward a too short of a period, I asked a question about automotive LED-bulbs. A certain moderator quickly came in, and it feels like I was baited into saying "I don't care about legislation" so he could close the thread. I proceeded to PM said moderator, and basically repeated the question: "are there any road-legal LED-bulbs on the market now?" We went back and forth a bit, with me not really getting a straight answer.

I didn't really want to waste his time (or mine, for that matter, at this point), so I asked why he closed the thread. And he accused me of being ignorant and arrogant. I said I only wanted to facilitate a civil discussion, and he replied back with an image of a gaping hippo (I had to google that reference). And then I left for like 4 years - didn't want to argue further or talk with an administrator, thinking how good can they be, getting moderators with that attitude.

Then I received a mass-PM from Mr.Ed, asking what I thought about the new forum and its features. Don't think I responded for like 2 years, because I was still sulking over the moderator treatment here. I eventually replied, and briefly told of my experience, and while the response from Mr.Ed was phrased more diplomatically, I read it as "I'm aware of the guy. He don't make such decisions anymore, and if that s**t happens again, I'll deal with it".

A single sentence from Mr.Ed made me come back. And I am glad I did. I will argue flashlights are a niche thing, no matter what anyone says, but it is an enthusiast (as in "expensive") hobby (much like any other), and I will say there is a prime community here. From what I have seen in recent years, the closest thing to negativity has been good-natured sarcasm and some friendly bantering.

I don't know Greta, other than seeing a few old posts with that name on them, but from what I can tell, this place is in good hands.

Cheers.
I don't like LED bulbs in halogen housings, I don't even like factory fitted LED headlights.
But what I'm really interested in is the gaping hippo.
 
+

People get away with whatever they can, look at young kids and a substitute teacher...
Personally believe people left because of the mess threads often become without Moderators,

The place reeks with all the pathological weirdos lately
 
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I don't like LED bulbs in halogen housings, I don't even like factory fitted LED headlights.
That was the issue with that sub-forum. The Mods were industry experts and they would not tolerate the discussion of illegal modifications to automotive lighting, which is designed and installed as safety equipment. They would give good recommendations for appropriate parts but many members who asked for help were not interested in quality, legal parts. There are a million places on the internet where the tuner bois and 4x4 bros can discuss cheap crappy LED retrofits and light bars. CPF wasn't one of those places.

That was why there was so much confrontation in that sub-forum.

As a former Mod here and being privy to some backstage discussions, I did understand their point, but I agree that they often did not communicate in a way that encouraged discussion and cooperation but rather added fuel to fires and came off as condescending or at least rude. It was one of those situations where you can agree with a person's viewpoint but disagree with their methods of disseminating information. Kind of like a march or protest where you get their point but also don't want them blocking the highway....
 
That was the issue with that sub-forum. The Mods were industry experts and they would not tolerate the discussion of illegal modifications to automotive lighting, which is designed and installed as safety equipment. They would give good recommendations for appropriate parts but many members who asked for help were not interested in quality, legal parts. There are a million places on the internet where the tuner bois and 4x4 bros can discuss cheap crappy LED retrofits and light bars. CPF wasn't one of those places.

That was why there was so much confrontation in that sub-forum.

As a former Mod here and being privy to some backstage discussions, I did understand their point, but I agree that they often did not communicate in a way that encouraged discussion and cooperation but rather added fuel to fires and came off as condescending or at least rude. It was one of those situations where you can agree with a person's viewpoint but disagree with their methods of disseminating information. Kind of like a march or protest where you get their point but also don't want them blocking the highway....
I don't think I ever posted there when those guys were around but I've read plenty to know exactly what you mean.

Just so no one gets the wrong end of the stick, I wasn't having a go at Paladin either. I was just adding a passing comment on my opinion of LED headlight bulbs.
My main interest was the Hippo.
 
I too have returned after many years out of the loop. I was a mod way back when and honestly I dont remember that much drama. I have no idea as to what has happened with CPF over the last several years and it really does not concern me that much. I am still a nerdy flashlight guy and now that I am slowly making my way back here I can kill many hours reading about all the new gadgets we all love.

I am a loyal CPF fan as I got nothing but joy from spending time here. I was here through all of the early innovations in lighting and it was a blast way back then. I still have some very cherished lights from back then and my collection is simply massive. Every once in a while I will break out some oldies just to tinker with them. Brings back some fond memories.

It seems as if Greta is not around anymore as well as several others I remember. Greta was always kind to me and I never had any issues with her style at all. I do remember she had a no bs policy and honestly you knew where you stood with her even if it was on her bad side. I have much to catch up on and although it looks different here it still has the same feel of a bunch of flashlight people who many would consider us to be weird.

Just catching up a little and perhaps I can find more time to visit here in the future.
 
I too have returned after many years out of the loop. I was a mod way back when and honestly I dont remember that much drama. I have no idea as to what has happened with CPF over the last several years and it really does not concern me that much. I am still a nerdy flashlight guy and now that I am slowly making my way back here I can kill many hours reading about all the new gadgets we all love.

I am a loyal CPF fan as I got nothing but joy from spending time here. I was here through all of the early innovations in lighting and it was a blast way back then. I still have some very cherished lights from back then and my collection is simply massive. Every once in a while I will break out some oldies just to tinker with them. Brings back some fond memories.

It seems as if Greta is not around anymore as well as several others I remember. Greta was always kind to me and I never had any issues with her style at all. I do remember she had a no bs policy and honestly you knew where you stood with her even if it was on her bad side. I have much to catch up on and although it looks different here it still has the same feel of a bunch of flashlight people who many would consider us to be weird.

Just catching up a little and perhaps I can find more time to visit here in the future.
Short version: Bit less traffic than back in the day. Then again, "innovations?" Let me dust off the cob-webs on that book. Massive plateau on that. Once in awhile a different flashlight design comes along. But the vast majority of those are gimmicks. Site is still Family Friendly, for the most part. But definitely more Freedom in some of the slightly more controversial topics discussed. Slightly....
 
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