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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>David~</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Thank you so much. This is very eloquent and articulate, and
down-to-earth.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>It is also a great relief! -and most
helpful.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Thank you for your generosity in taking the time to compose this, and to
explain things. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>It makes a lot of sense. Yes, this really helps clarify what
the differences are between CAUT and Pianotech, and provides some background on
the issues.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>And yes, I have felt the proselyting push of the PTG, and it has not been
insignificant. (See my recent post: Thoughts on being a Guild member or
non-member)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=232452522-11072008>David,</SPAN> <SPAN class=232452522-11072008>by
the way,</SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=232452522-11072008></SPAN></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Is it really true that only RPT's with a current, paid up RPT
certification card should be allowed tune people's pianos? ;-)
.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>I
</FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>admit,
</FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial size=2> I'm
having a little trouble with this marketing concept. (-as are
some other technicians I know. Tell me it isn't
so.)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>(I realize these forums are hosted and sponsored by the PTG, (for which I
am grateful) and I don't mean to be inappropriate, off color, or out-of-line in
my questions, but I'm just trying to understand if 1) what I have heard is true
and 2) if true, the rationale behind it: how this can possibly be expected to
work in the larger tuner/technician community that includes those who aren't
members of the PTG.) </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Sincerely~</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>~Kendall Ross Bean</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=232452522-11072008>
<DIV align=left>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=533361603-16112007>PianoFinders</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=533361603-16112007><A
title=http://www.pianofinders.com
href="http://www.pianofinders.com/">www.pianofinders.com</A></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=533361603-16112007>e-mail: <A
title=mailto:kenbean@pianofinders.com
href="mailto:kenbean@pianofinders.com">kenbean@pianofinders.com</A></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=533361603-16112007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=533361603-16112007><EM>Connecting Pianos and
People</EM></SPAN></FONT></DIV></DIV></SPAN></DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> David Skolnik
[mailto:davidskolnik@optonline.net] <BR><B>Sent:</B> Friday, July 11, 2008 9:11
AM<BR><B>To:</B> College and University Technicians<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re:
[CAUT] Requirements for contributing/posting<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Now Kendall Ross,<BR>Don't lose your humor now. You've done so
well, up to this point, ignoring old affronts, perceived or real. You are
in some good company in your history of conflict with the Organization, but,
clearly, intractableness on either side usually proves detrimental to
both. There are many if not mostly fine, dedicated individuals
contributing their energies to an organization that continues to struggle to
both define itself and promote the field (in your case, <I>one</I> <I>of the
fields)</I> we have found so rewarding to be engaged in. While Chris S
needs no help defending himself, (just with the bug in his computer that sent
the same message three times), I'll suggest that, if not already apparent, he is
also a humor-ful fellow. The biggest danger of this form of communication,
other than the time it takes some of us, its susceptibility to misconstruing,
and the rapidity with which such misinterpretation can fatally redirect an
otherwise productive interaction. <BR><BR>As is the case with so many of these
threads, there is, potentially, more going on here than most of us have time,
patience, or ability (that's me) to explore. Here's what I've thought
about:<BR><BR>1) While I have yet to read all the posts generated by your
initial list of questions, I found them very thoughtful and would have liked to
see more of them explored. <BR>2) Whether on the lists or in the field,
there is, I gather, a push to promote the PTG. While I have never been an
active proselytizer, I know how important it is, and, at the same time, how it
can be objectionable to some. To the extent that this was made to seem a
prerequisite, Chris has already apologized<BR>3) There seems to remain some
confusion regarding whether this (CAUT) or Pianotech are, in fact official PTG
sites, especially now that they are hosted by ptg.org. That 'identity
crisis' will not disappear any time soon. Some subscribers just assume
that they are conversing with their PTG sibs<BR>4) Ed Sutton's history of 'the
lists' was concise, to both its credit and detriment. Absent is the
history of conflicts that have been instrumental in establishing the particular
list 'cultures'. At some point, there was a migration to CAUT from
Pianotech, not because of a sudden increase in institutional technicians, but
rather because many felt that the discourse on Pianotech had intolerably
degenerated. This has put a burden on CAUT's mission as an 'open' list
focused on institutional issues. Navigating the obvious overlap is a
constant process that, at times, can be aided by constructive feedback.
Double posting seems, at times, the most logical way of reaching both groups of
subscribers, however, for the many (? list administrator, fill in here?) who
subscribe to both lists, it creates redundancy. The (perhaps) unfortunate
fact is that <I>MOST </I>of the postings on CAUT, over the last two years at
least, have been of general technical interest, not institutionally specific. An
unintended benefit is that such a split reduces the volume on either one of the
lists. <BR><BR>I don't know what the solution is, but nothing said here, or by
anyone else should be seen as discouraging your continued participation.
Maybe just try to feel out what the customs are, then consciously decide whether
or not you want to observe them. At least then you'll only be flamed for your
intentions. <BR><BR>Regards -<BR><BR>David Skolnik<BR>Hastings on Hudson,
NY<BR><BR>At 08:18 PM 7/10/2008, you wrote:<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=cite cite="" type="cite"><FONT size=2>Dear
Chris:<BR></FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>(Sigh.) <BR></FONT> <BR><FONT
size=2>Must I join your club, and jump through all the hoops (RPT
requalification), and become a bona fide CAUT, (and stay away from purely
technical discussions!) in order to have anything of value to
contribute?<BR></FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>Or can I by this point be
considered to have achieved some degree of stature in the technical and
musical communities, in spite of the apparent absence of such prima facie
endorsements? (i.e. - haven't I done enough
already?)<BR></FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>(On the CAUT info page it says that
CAUT is a "community service", and also that it is an "open list, allowing
anyone to subscribe or submit posts." Did I somehow
misunderstand?)<BR></FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>Can't I just be a guest for
now?<BR></FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>(It's okay, if my contributions are not
pleasing or wanted I can go somewhere else... ...sniff... ;-)
)<BR></FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>~Kendall Ross
Bean<BR></FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>PianoFinders<BR><A
href="http://www.pianofinders.com/">www.pianofinders.com</A><BR>e-mail: <A
href="mailto:kenbean@pianofinders.com">kenbean@pianofinders.com</A><BR></FONT> <BR><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2><I>Connecting Pianos and
People<BR></I></FONT> <BR><FONT color=#0000ff size=2><I>"The reward for
jumping through hoops is... ...more hoops".<BR></I></FONT><BR>
<HR>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> Chris Solliday [<A
href="mailto:csolliday@rcn.com" eudora="autourl">
mailto:csolliday@rcn.com</A>] <BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, July 10, 2008 4:26
AM<BR><B>To:</B> College and University Technicians<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re:
[CAUT] Tuning Pin Questions - About me... Since you
asked...<BR></FONT><BR><FONT size=2>Thank you Kendall,<BR>Well now that we
know how dangerous you are (and that you have such illustrious beginnings,
Charles Ball is one of the best and brightest) let me recommend that you bite
the bullet on the history (I'm not sure that the bookkeeper forgot to send in
the dues is a legitimate excuse according to our bylaws & regulations) and
rejoin PTG and take the modern tests and become an active RPT. We need
intelligent and multi-talented folks like yourself in the organization. I
think you will find this to your advantage in the marketplace as we make
further enroads marketing the RPT.<BR>BTW are you contracted or employed by a
College or University? While we encourage discussions of all types (and yours
has been most interesting) on the CAUT list, purely technical discussions are
probably best directed to the piano tech list.<BR>Chris Solliday RPT<BR>Lehigh
University<BR>Lafayette College<BR>East Stroudsburg
University</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE><BR></BODY></HTML>